
More than 500 million bees died in four Brazilian states and that too in a span of 90 days, reported Bloomberg. In Rio Grande do Sul alone, 400 million bees dropped dead.
On inspection, most of these insects were reportedly poisoned by insecticides containing neonicotinoids and fipronil that were officially banned by the EU in April this year.
However, Brazil lifted the ban on these pesticides – despite environmentalists warning the government of the hazardous implications.
Brazil tops the list of countries that buy pesticides because its economy is sustained by agriculture. With that, a Greenpeace report showed that 193 products containing chemicals banned in the EU were registered in Brazil in the last three years. However, this heavy pesticide use is causing a “startling” decline of the world’s insects.
A global study published in the journal Biological Conservation revealed that more than 40 percent of insect species will be extinct in a couple of decades unless the agricultural industry takes appropriate corrective measures.
Bees are fundamental to the food chain since around 75% of our food relies on pollination, mainly by bees according to a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report.
Sadly, bees are suffering globally as a result of habitat loss, climate change, and indiscriminate use of pesticides.
For example USA bee-breeders lost four in 10 of their honeybee colonies in the past year, making it the worst winter for bees.
Russian beekeepers reported mass bee deaths in 20 regions affecting a 20% deficit in production of honey as well.
In November 2018, South Africa witnessed at least one million bees dying with fipronil being the culprit.
Other countries such as Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Turkey have also reported mass bee- deaths in the last 18 months.
The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) suggests some damage control techniques to salvage the bee species.
- Develop unused and urban green spaces for bee husbandry
- Reverse fragmentation of wild flower meadows
- Reduce the use of chemical pollutants
- Protect bees from imported diseases
- Exercise conservation strategies to bring endangered species back from the brink.
Heifer International lists ways individuals can help with bee keeping: growing dandelions and clovers in their gardens, planting a variety of herbs and flowers, and avoiding pesticides and herbicides.
What are your thoughts on bee conservation? Share them in the comments section below.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Gordon Ramsay Ditches Vegan Hate and Backs Flora’s Plant-Based Butter in New ‘Skip the Cow’ Campaign
- Totally Vegan Buzz Team
- 28th January 2025
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, once infamous for his digs at vegans, has taken a sharp turn in the kitchen. Ramsay has teamed up with Flora, the famous UK-based spread brand, as its global ambassador, marking a bold new chapter in Flora’s “Skip the Cow” campaign. Flora, established in 1964, has long been a household name …
The Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Places in Latin America
- Totally Vegan Buzz Team
- 27th January 2025
Latin America is experiencing an extraordinary rise in plant-based dining options. A new study, spearheaded by Veganuary in partnership with the food discovery platform HappyCow, reveals that Latin America now boasts over 10,000 vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants—an impressive 21.6% jump compared to last year. Brazil takes the crown as the number one country, with …
Continue reading “The Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Places in Latin America”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. [wpViralQuiz id=27203]
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. [wpViralQuiz id=33494]
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. [wpViralQuiz id=31281] Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God