pesticides
Newsletter
Credit: emersonbegnini/Pixabay
Pesticide dangers increase with rising temperatures
As climate change leads to higher temperatures, pesticides evaporate faster, increasing the risk of toxic exposure for farmworkers and nearby communities.
In short:
- Extreme heat causes pesticides to evaporate more quickly, leading to increased airborne pesticide drift, which can affect communities miles away.
- The EPA plans to include pesticide drift in its guidelines for approving new products, aiming to mitigate health risks from drift-related exposure.
- Farmworkers, often immigrants, face heightened risks as they may avoid reporting exposure due to job and immigration status vulnerabilities.
Key quote:
"Now that it’s getting hotter, there’s maybe more potential for things to change, or be less predictable."
— Emily Marquez, senior scientist at the Pesticide Action Network
Why this matters:
Climate change exacerbates pesticide drift, posing a serious health threat to farmworkers and nearby communities. Understanding and regulating pesticide behavior in high heat is crucial to protect those most vulnerable to exposure.
Related EHN coverage:
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Newsletter
Florida farmland faces threats from development and climate change
Florida's agricultural land is rapidly shrinking due to increasing development and climate change, jeopardizing the state's position as a major supplier of fresh winter produce in the United States.
In short:
- Florida's farms, which provide a large portion of the nation's winter produce, are at risk of being converted to residential and commercial uses by 2070.
- Climate change and rising sea levels also threaten Florida's agricultural land, potentially reducing the state's capacity to produce fruits and vegetables.
- Florida farmers face financial pressure due to competition with Mexican imports and lack sufficient legal protection against land conversion.
Key quote:
“Once farmland is converted to a neighborhood, it can’t reverse back. If you lose farmland, it is gone.”
— Zhengfei Guan, agricultural economist
Why this matters:
The loss of Florida's farmland could disrupt the U.S. winter produce supply and increase reliance on imported fruits and vegetables. This dependency raises concerns about pesticide use and food security, impacting both health and environmental sustainability.
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Credit: Alexandre Debiève/Unsplash
Neonicotinoid restrictions aim to save New York's native pollinators
The "Birds and Bees" Act restricts neonicotinoid pesticides in New York as 60% of the state's native pollinators face the risk of extinction due to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use.
In short:
- The Empire State Native Pollinator Survey discovered that 60% of native pollinators in New York are at risk of extinction. The survey identified 20 species per group of pollinators that had not been seen in New York in over 50 years.
- The "Birds and Bees" Act, enacted in 2023, restricts neonicotinoid use in New York, making it the first U.S. state to limit these insecticides on seeds.
- More than 200 citizen scientists contributed to a large-scale study identifying over 34,000 specimens, helping map pollinator populations across New York.
Key quote:
"The movement to not have a sterile green lawn has really picked up steam...and I think those are really critical things for improving pollinator health."
— Matthew Schlesinger, chief zoologist, New York Natural Heritage Program
Why this matters:
Pollinators are essential for biodiversity, ecosystem health and agriculture. Addressing threats to pollinators, such as pesticide use, can help protect these critical species and ensure the stability of food systems and natural habitats.
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Newsletter
Credit: International Labour Organization ILO/Flickr
Indoor farming: a climate solution with hidden dangers for workers
Greenhouse workers face extreme heat and humidity, risking their health in structures designed to protect plants, not people.
Melina Walling and Dorany Pineda report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Greenhouse and nursery workers are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, leading to heat-related illnesses.
- These workers lack adequate protections and breaks, making them vulnerable to heat stress, dizziness, and other health issues.
- Efforts to include greenhouses in indoor agriculture solutions need to account for better worker protections and enforcement.
Key quote:
"Many times we don’t leave to cool off for a short while. It’s not because we wouldn’t want to do it, but because we’re scared that they would dismiss us."
— Eulalia Mendoza, former greenhouse worker.
Why this matters:
This isn't just a labor issue; it's an environmental and public health crisis. With regulators slow to adapt and industry leaders often prioritizing profit over people, greenhouse workers are left in a perilous bind. Read more: “Dehumanizing” conditions for Michigan farmworkers.
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Credit: Mirko Fabian/Unsplash
Companies use carbon markets to boost pesticide sales
Farmers enrolling in climate-smart programs find themselves reliant on pesticides marketed by the same companies running these carbon markets.
In short:
- Companies like Bayer are integrating pesticide sales with carbon market platforms, potentially increasing chemical use.
- Agricultural carbon markets, originally designed to offset greenhouse gases, now often incentivize practices requiring pesticides.
- Environmental groups worry these markets prioritize sales over genuinely reducing farm chemical dependence.
Key quote:
“Get a farmer in the program, get the information, and get to sell them seeds or pest control.”
— Ben Lilliston, director of rural strategies and climate change, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Why this matters:
Pesticides, essential for controlling pests and ensuring crop yields, have a dark side. Their overuse can lead to a host of environmental issues, including soil degradation, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, the production and application of these chemicals contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, potentially offsetting the reductions achieved through carbon markets.
Correction: 11 July 2024
An earlier edition of this story included Land O'Lakes among the companies integrating pesticide sales with carbon market platforms. Land O'Lakes prohibits the use of farmer data for sales and marketing targeting.
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Credit: blackboard1965/Big Stock Photo
Polish farmer protest movement reveals far-right connections
A new Polish farmers' group with far-right ties has gained political attention after protesting against EU climate policies and Ukrainian food imports.
Marta Kasztelan, Clare Carlile, and Phoebe Cooke report for DeSmog.
In short:
- Orka, a recently formed farmers' group, suspended a hunger strike after securing talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
- The group has ties to the far-right Confederation Party, raising concerns about its political motivations.
- Protests have emerged across Poland against EU environmental regulations, with Orka aiming to discard the EU's Green Deal.
Key quote:
“It’s very difficult to fight this kind of misinformation.”
— Krzysztof Cibor, head of campaigns, Greenpeace Poland
Why this matters:
The rise of Orka reflects how populist and far-right parties can leverage local discontent to challenge EU policies, potentially destabilizing political landscapes and undermining efforts to combat climate change.
For more aboutthe rise of the far-right in Europe:
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Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Bald eagles return to the southern Great Lakes after near extinction
The bald eagle population in southern Ontario has made a remarkable recovery after near extinction due to DDT, symbolizing hope for both wildlife and human health.
In short:
- The pesticide DDT nearly wiped out bald eagles in North America, causing their numbers to plummet in the mid-20th century.
- Decades of conservation efforts have led to a significant recovery, with Ontario declaring bald eagles no longer at risk in May 2023.
- Despite the success, bald eagles now face new threats from climate change and emerging contaminants.
Key quote:
"If we’re not paying attention to what we’re doing, if we’re not careful about what we’re putting into the environment, we’re just going to repeat the story over and over again."
— Jody Allair, Birds Canada
Why this matters:
The resurgence of bald eagles is a testament to the effectiveness of environmental regulations and conservation efforts. It speaks to a broader issue of how human activities impact both wildlife and human health, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and action. Read more: Pesticide DDT linked to increased breast cancer risk generations after exposure.
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