2024-09-05 18:39:34
Pesticide spraying on a cornfield near Belle Glade, north of Everglades National Park. DAMON WINTER/NYT-REDUX-REA
The notion of “planetary health”—that is, the close links between the health of ecosystems and that of human societies—is notoriously difficult to quantify. Difficult, but not impossible. This is the meaning of innovative work that the journal Science is highlighting its Friday, September 6 edition: environmental economist Eyal Frank (University of Chicago) shows that the collapse of American insectivorous bat populations was marked by a drop in agricultural production and offset by a considerable increase in the use of insecticides. Enough, in any case, for the consequences to be locally measurable on infant mortality.
The estimates are dramatic. Income and production losses for farmers total nearly $2.7 billion (€2.4 billion) per year between 2006 and 2017 in 245 of the counties included in the study. As for excess newborn mortality directly attributable to pesticide overuse, it is estimated at about 1,300 deaths in all the counties concerned during this same period.
To conduct his analysis, Mr. Frank took advantage of a fearsome epizootic that appeared in 2006 in the northeastern United States, which affects bats. Caused by a pathogenic fungus, “white-nose syndrome” precipitates abrupt declines in these animals: as soon as the disease is detected in a territory, their populations can fall by more than 70% in a few months. After its appearance in 2006, explains the American economist, “The disease continued to spread in a staggered manner, so that each year more and more counties moved from being ‘unaffected’ to being ‘affected’ by the disease.”.
Fall in farm income
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The researcher was thus able to compare data from affected areas with data from areas free of the pathogen. “An important result of the analysis is that both types of counties, affected and unaffected, see their results in terms of insecticide use and infant mortality evolve in a parallel manner in the years preceding the onset of the disease.explains Mr. Franck. But the data begin to diverge once bats start dying in counties where the disease takes hold.
On average, affected counties saw insecticide use increase by 31 percent, with farmers compensating for the bats’ pest predation service. Locally, average farm income per square kilometer fell by 28.9 percent. “Such a drop in farm income is a reminder that the current “agricultural crisis” is partly caused by poor management of ecosystems and that farmers are to blame for this.comments biologist Kris Wyckhuys (University of Queensland in Brisbane, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences). In particular by resorting to expensive chemical inputs and biocides, to counter the progressive loss of ecosystem functions.”
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Planetary health and human health
The Devastating Consequences of Pesticide Overuse: A Threat to Planetary Health
The intricate relationships between the health of ecosystems and human societies, known as “planetary health,” are often difficult to quantify. However, a recent study published in the journal Science has made a groundbreaking contribution to this field, highlighting the alarming consequences of pesticide overuse on both the environment and human health.
The Rise of White-Nose Syndrome and the Decline of Bats
The study focuses on the devastating impact of white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has been sweeping across the United States since 2006, causing a sharp decline in insectivorous bat populations. This disease has led to a staggering 70% reduction in bat populations in just a few months, resulting in a significant decrease in their pest predation services.
The Consequences of Pesticide Overuse
To compensate for the loss of natural pest control, farmers have turned to insecticides, leading to a 31% increase in their use. This, in turn, has resulted in a 28.9% decline in average farm income per square kilometer. Moreover, the study estimates that the excessive use of insecticides has contributed to approximately 1,300 infant deaths between 2006 and 2017.
The Importance of Bats in Pest Control
Bats play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem, consuming vast quantities of insects that can damage crops. In fact, a single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes, moths, and beetles in a single hour [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. The loss of bats as a natural form of pest control has significant economic and environmental implications.
Pesticide Exposure and Bat Mortality
The exposure of bats to pesticides is a major concern, with dermal exposure being the most significant route of exposure, resulting in the highest predicted daily doses [3[3[3[3[3[3[3[3]. Furthermore, the destruction of habitats such as hedgerows and woods in farmland has also contributed to the decline of bat populations [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1].
The Alarming Link Between Bats, Pesticides, and Human Health
The study’s findings are alarming, highlighting the intricate relationships between the health of ecosystems and human societies. The collapse of bat populations has led to an increase in pesticide use, which in turn has resulted in a significant number of infant deaths. This underscores the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices that prioritize the conservation of natural pest control agents like bats.
Conclusion
The devastating consequences of pesticide overuse are a stark reminder of the need to adopt a more holistic approach to agriculture, one that prioritizes the health of ecosystems and human societies. By recognizing the value of bats and other natural pest control agents, we can work towards a more sustainable future for our planet.
The Devastating Consequences of Pesticide Overuse: A Threat to Planetary Health and Human Well-being
The notion of “planetary health” – the intricate web of connections between the health of ecosystems and human societies – is often difficult to quantify. However, innovative research has made significant strides in measuring the impact of human activities on the environment and human health. One such study, published in the journal Science, exposes the alarming consequences of pesticide overuse on both agricultural production and human health.
The White-Nose Syndrome Epidemic: A Catalyst for Investigation
In 2006, a mysterious fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome emerged in the northeastern United States, ravaging bat populations and sparking an epizootic that would spread across the country. This ecological crisis presented environmental economist Eyal Frank with a unique opportunity to study the effects of pesticide use on farm income and infant mortality.
The Alarming Statistics: Economic and Human Costs
Frank’s research revealed that the collapse of bat populations led to significant economic losses for farmers, totaling nearly $2.7 billion (€2.4 billion) per year between 2006 and 2017 in 245 affected counties. Moreover, the study estimated that excessive pesticide use resulted in approximately 1,300 excess newborn deaths in these counties during the same period.
Pesticide Use as a Threat to Planetary Health
The alarming rise in pesticide use is not only a local concern but also a global issue with far-reaching consequences for planetary health. Pesticides contribute to biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions [[2]], further exacerbating the environmental crisis. Furthermore, these chemicals have been linked to serious human health concerns, including cancers and reproductive problems [[2]].
Classifying Pesticide Risks: A Step Towards Sustainability
In recognition of the urgent need to address the environmental and health impacts of pesticide use, researchers have developed a system to classify pesticide risks and hazards with respect to human and environmental health [[3]]. This initiative aims to produce a minimum (lower risk) pesticide list, promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
The Imperative of Transdisciplinary Approaches
The study highlights the importance of transdisciplinary approaches to understanding the intricate relationships between environmental health and human well-being. As planetary health continues to deteriorate, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive perspective that integrates social, ecological, and economic factors to mitigate the anthropogenic drivers of environmental degradation [[1]].
Conclusion
The devastating consequences of pesticide overuse on farm income, infant mortality, and planetary health serve as a stark reminder of the need for sustainable agricultural practices and responsible environmental stewardship. By promoting eco-friendly alternatives, reducing pesticide use, and adopting transdisciplinary approaches, we can work towards a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
References:
[1] Medeiros, L. C. (2023). Reflexes of planetary health in the transdisciplinary…
[2] Pesticides: Chemicals of Concern for Human and Environmental Health and Justice.
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(19)30266-9/fulltext?dgcid=ravenjbsetoc_email”>[3] Jepson, P. C. (2020). A global guideline and minimum pesticides list.