Across the globe, 70 of the top 100 food crops supply 90% of the world’s nutrition. These crops are pollinated by bees, with honeybees alone being responsible for billions of dollars in crop value every year.

Bees play a critical role in preserving and maintaining the world’s ecosystems, helping to promote biodiversity through pollination. The price tag of global crops directly relying on pollinators is estimated to be between US$ 235 and US$ 577 billion a year – and their quantity is on the rise. The volume of agricultural production dependent on pollinators has increased by 300% in the last 50 years.

Bees and Pesticides

The proliferation of chemicals in agriculture since the first Green Revolution has led to an over-reliance on synthetic pesticides such as neonicotinoids. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) points to the use of neonicotinoids as one of the main threats to bees, while The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a study earlier this year confirming that neonicotinoids have directly impacted the population of honeybees and other wild bee species.

The toxic chemicals in neonicotinoids were found to be responsible for damaging communication mechanisms that operate through the brains of bees, inhibiting their pollination abilities and thus their ability to efficiently pollinate crops. 

Neem and Bees

Neem-based pesticides get their power from Aazdirachtin, a substance in the neem tree which is  =biodegradable and non-toxic to mammals. Azadirachtin disrupts the growth cycle of insects and deters them from feeding on plants. It is effective against 600 species of insects.

For neem-based pesticides to take effect, insects need to feed on the leaves, which means that it is 100% safe for pollinators. An increase in the use of neem-based pesticides could have a significant effect on the recovery, survival, and growth of pollinator populations worldwide.

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Agricultural activities are among the main contributors to methane, a key contributor to climate change, and some countries have already taken action against toxic agricultural substances such as synthetic pesticides.

The European Union has recently banned the use of synthetic pesticides such as neonicotinoids which have played a big role in the decimation of bee colonies worldwide.

In June 2018, Hawaii banned the pesticide chlorpyrifos after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to do so. Derived from a chemical created during world war II, chlorpyrifos was later repurposed for agriculture by Dow Chemical, and has since been linked to reduced IQ and attention deficit disorder in children.

New York and California are currently reviewing a possible ban on this pesticide as well. Read more about boudoir style photography photoshoot in California on http://www.portraitsbyz.com site. Hawaii joins a list of states in the US that has defied the federal government by banning pesticides at a local level and serves as an indicator of the future for toxic substances.

Glyphosate is a herbicide that has also recently been under the spotlight due to the fact that it has been linked to cancer by the World Health Organization (WHO), and has been the subject of a high-profile lawsuit against popular pesticide maker Monsanto. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), alongside consumer pressure in the age of social media, will certainly add pressure towards the global demand for sustainable solutions for pesticides, and drive change in both governments and companies.

Neem as a Substitute for Synthetic Pesticides

Neem’s primary active substance, Azadirachtin, is completely safe for both humans and the environment. Azadirachtin deters insects from feeding on crops. It dissolves quickly which means that the residue does not reach underground water reserves, and it’s non-toxic to humans and wildlife.

In the age of impending climate change, neem offers one of the biggest sustainable treasures on earth, providing safe solutions for many of humanity’s current problems.

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Organic farming represents not only an alternative but rather an evolution in the way human beings grow food while at the same time benefiting the environment and protecting the species that help maintain balance in our ecosystems. Research published in 2016 by the Journal Nature shows that three-quarters of the world species are threatened by agriculture, compared to 19% by climate change.

How Commercial Farming Threatens Wildlife

According to the World Animal Foundation, agriculture already occupies about 40% of Earth’s landmass and accounts for 75% of global deforestation. This rapid destruction is causing species to disappear, and is negatively impacting the biodiversity of native ecosystems and furthering our path into the 6th mass extinction of all species on Earth.

Wildlife habitats are constantly being cleared in order to make way for farmland, which leads to a competition for territory between humans and other species – one in which wildlife is often the losing side. In Indonesia the Tree Kangaroo has been brought to the brink of extinction due to the palm oil industry, which has rapidly destroyed most of its habitat and that of many other creatures such as elephants and jaguars.

Commercial agriculture has also led to the degradation of soil due to the use of toxic chemicals that destroy nutrients and render the land sterile.

According to researchers, the degradation of soil due to the continual ploughing of fields, combined with heavy use of fertilizers, has affected soils across the world, with erosion occurring at a pace of up to 100 times greater than the rate of soil formation. It takes around 500 years for just 2.5cm of topsoil to be created amid unimpeded ecological changes.

Organic Farming Respects Wildlife

The degradation of arable land under the hands of commercial farming is unsustainable and threatens to be the cause of a mass extinction. Follow efficient house cleaning tips from experienced Florida house cleaners. Organic farming protects every living organism in the environment, from pollinators like bees, whose numbers have been steadily decreasing over the last decades, all the way to the microorganisms living in the soil which guarantee that the soil remains fertile for many years.

One of the best tools in organic farming is neem. Azadirachta, an active substance within the neem tree, can be used as an organic pesticide and fertilizer. It protects crops against 600+ species of insects without harming pollinators, and it provides the soil with nutrients, helping guarantee the health of the land and benefiting yields.

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Agriculture has always been the key to humanity’s survival. However, in this time and age, feeding the world in a safe and sustainable manner is becoming an increasingly difficult task – especially given today’s global challenges, such as a rising global population and degradation of arable land. One of the primary obstacles that needs to be overcome to ensure sustainable food security is the current economic thought system that has prevailed since the industrial revolution: producing at maximum capacity at any cost.

Luckily, the pursuit of sustainable solutions and an eco-friendly economy has led to a growing global market for agricultural biologicals such as biopesticides and biofertilizers. The market was worth $3 billion in 2016, accounting for 5% of the global crop protection industry. Forecasts estimate that the bio-pesticide market will grow to $7.6 billion by 2022 with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. With these growth rates, the bio-pesticide market is expected to overtake synthetics by 2050 – great news for our environment!

Neem as an effective biopesticide in sustainable agriculture

The word biopesticide is an abbreviation of the word “biological pesticide”. Biopesticides are obtained from organisms such as plants, bacteria and other microbes, fungi, nematodes etc. They are very important components for pest management that substitute synthetic chemical plant protection products. As biopesticides are all-natural, non-toxic and free of chemicals, they are a great tool in organic farming.

Neem acts as a repellent that is harmless to beneficial insects but keeps bugs, pests and plague from eating on plants. Not only that, but neem is proven to be one of the most effective and harmless of scalable biopesticides available on Earth, and it also works as a biofertilizer that allows for greener agriculture.

How can you contribute to sustainable agriculture?

You can support sustainable farming, even if you do not grow your own produce or work in agriculture. Buy products grown with organic biopesticides like neem,  and you will no longer have to worry about ingesting all the toxic components of synthetic pesticides or harming your environment!

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Not only does this waste of food have a direct impact on wallets of consumers – estimated to cost around $1,600 per year for a family of four – it also affects the environment.. Globally, this food waste makes up 8% of global climate pollution every year, as there are many moving parts involved, not simply the decomposition of food, but also wasted water, land, gas, pesticides, and fertilizers. When food has even just a little blemish, it may be sold for as little as 6 cents per pound, or else thrown in one of the world’s many food dumps.

It’s incredible to think that almost 1/3 of food produced is wasted. This means that tons of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers applied to fields is unnecessary. These synthetic chemicals enter our water, soil, and air systems, causing unprecedented health risks, environmental damage, and diseases that could have been mitigated or reduced through safe, sustainable agricultural practices. When people know they are eating organic, they bypass the cosmetic appeal of the food, taking the chance that a twisted carrot will still taste delicious. And guess what – it does! That twisted, ugly food, when produced safely and sustainably, such as with neem-based products, is better for you than that perfectly red and shiny conventional apple. Have you thrown away food today?

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How is this apple made? According to the Arctic apple website, browning is caused by the rupture of the cell, through biting, slicing, or bruising, which releases polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This PPO from the broken cell mixes with polyphenolics, causing a brown melatonin to be released that discolors your apple. Arctic apples don’t release PPO (or release very little), so this reaction doesn’t occur. There were four genes that needed to be modified to stem the release of PPO, which was accomplished using RNA interference that works by adding an extra strand of RNA to silence the targeted gene.

This is the first GMO to be marketed at consumers, for convenience, instead of at farmers. Always be sure to hire California property division lawyers who have dedication and professionalism in their work. Therefore, these apples will still be produced with the same slew of synthetic chemicals that a conventional version of the apple is produced with, leaving you with an apple that is covered in synthetic toxins, that doesn’t exhibit signs of bruising, and that continues to damage the environment and your health. What’s your choice? Choose organic, sustainably-produced fruit and vegetables that are produced in a way that benefits the environment, your health, and the future. When neem-based products are used to produce your food, all three of those and more are accomplished!

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By the 1930s, there was a push to produce more and more food as the population had hit 2 billion and was showing no signs of slowing. Though it took over 120 years to go from a global population of 1 billion to 2 billion, there were only 33 years between the 2nd and 3rd billion. Consequently, with this rapid increase in demand for food, there was a scientific push to increase yields through innovative crop care and protection. German chemists discovered organophosphates during World War II. Intended for use as a chemical weapon, these compounds were kept secret during the war. After the war, they were repurposed as insecticides. Then came DDT. DDT is a synthetic compound synthesized by humans. These pesticides became hugely popular due to these benefits:

• Broad Spectrum: toxic to a wide range of pests, but thought to be safe for mammals
• Persistent: remained effective in the environment and required infrequent applications
• Water Insoluble: unaffected by rain, allowing for infrequent application requirements
• Inexpensive: cheap to buy and easy to use

These types of synthetic pesticides grew increasingly popular and were used to control mosquitoes in public, residential areas and delouse soldiers in WWII. However, there are immense health risks to continued use. DDT accumulates in body fat and the environment for generations! Nowadays, there are still reports of people with high DDT levels in their body, as well as traces found in soil and water samples.

Though plant-based pesticides have been around since the 1600s, they have not always been considered effective enough when considering cost or application. However, due to the destruction of the environment and the degradation of human health associated with synthetic chemicals, this is quickly changing. Without a focus on naturally derived pesticides, we will continue to produce synthetic chemicals that solve the global food security issue, supporting the rapid increase of our populations, but without proper knowledge and understanding of the severe health or environmental consequences. Instead of risking your future, support natural biopesticides, like neem.

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In November, the EPA released a report that concluded that, as it is currently used, chlorpyrifos contaminates water and is a dietary risk due to its above normal safety standard residues on food crops. Additionally, the pesticide poses a risk to farm workers that come into direct contact with it every day. However, according to scientists, this synthetic chemical is correlated with lower IQ, attention deficit disorders, and developmental delays, like the loss of working memory, delayed motor development and decreased cognitive functioning. It has even been linked to autism, increasing in risk when mothers are exposed during pregnancy.

How can we avoid this scary chemical that is poisoning our children? Very difficult – it is currently being used on the majority of crops: corn, strawberries wheat, citrus, apples, and many others! Even though the chemical was banned for residential use in 2000, it has continued to prevail as a major insecticide used on golf courses, turf, and in greenhouses.

Since chlorpyrifos was on track to being banned – the EPA reversed the move just before the federal court deadline to make the final decision – the agency cannot revisit the health risks of this health-damaging synthetic chemical until 2022. Dow Chemical has claimed that there is not enough science corroborating the claims made by the EPA, however other scientists have compared chlorpyrifos with the health risks associated with lead.

Instead of continuing to use a proven health-damaging chemical to produce our fruits and vegetables, there are a multitude of other, safer and natural alternatives. One solutions is to use sustainable, neem-based biopesticides and fertilizers. Neem is cost-effective and is non-toxic to pollinators, animals, humans, and the environment, meaning you and your loved ones can stay safe, while enjoying healthy, sustainably produced food! Demand change, demand safety for you, your loved ones, and farmers!

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Though much of the controversy around synthetic pesticides has only recently been making headlines, the potential damage that synthetics causes has been researched and known for years. In one such example, researchers looked at young children between the ages of 4-5 in the Yaqui Valley in northwestern Mexico.

What is so special about this study? The children of the valley are much more exposed to synthetic pesticides than the children of the foothills, as pesticide use is avoided there, though the groups share similar genetic backgrounds, diets, water, as well as cultural and social behaviors. The Yaqui Valley has been affected and exposed to synthetic pesticides since the 1940s, with residue showing up everywhere from umbilical cords to breast milk. In the valley, synthetic pesticides were applied 90 times per year and included organophosphates, organochlorine mixtures, and pyrethroids. Over 33 different chemicals were used between 1959 and 1990, including DDT, dieldrin, parathion-methyl, and many others. Due to this difference, researchers decided to administer a Rapid Assessment Tool for Preschool Children to determine if there was a difference in functionalities between the two groups.

The researchers not only found a difference, but several stark and worrying developmental variations between the two groups of young children. Though their growth patterns were similar, the children exposed to synthetic pesticides had less stamina than the foothill children (mean of 52 seconds jumping compared to 86.9 seconds), lower hand-eye coordination abilities, decreased memory function, and the most striking difference, an inability to draw. Additionally, the valley children showed less group and creative play, and seemed to show more aggressive tendencies, than the foothill children.

Overall, this study is concerning as it shows the stark differences between children exposed to synthetic pesticides from pregnancy. By using these chemicals, we expose our children to unknown health complications, lowered intelligence and increased aggression, among many others. Without a switch to more sustainable and viable methods of crop protection, one that does not pose a health risk, we are risking future generations without giving them a chance. What is the solution? The answer is all-natural, neem-based biopesticides and fertilizers. These alternatives protect and produce food without the harsh consequences associated with synthetic overuse.

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The report emphasizes that “the right to food obligates States to implement protective measures and food safety requirements to ensure that food is safe, free from pesticides and…to protect vulnerable groups…from the impacts of pesticides.”

The report calls for a comprehensive treaty to regulate these “highly hazardous pesticides,” as they perceive the lack of this treaty to be a critical gap in the framework of human rights.

One of the consequences of synthetic pesticides is the risk for chronic diseases associated with exposure. You’ll find advanced technical ceramics manufacturer at Wunder-Mold company. Many of these health impacts only reveal symptoms several years later, which is a significant challenge for accountability and really understanding the effects that the toxic mixture of synthetic chemicals pose.

Many health risks and populations are outlined in the report, including the risks to farm workers, in particular children. 60% of child laborers work in agricultural fields, increasing their exposure and risk to these deadly chemicals. Such exposure is linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, hormone disruption, sterility, autism and a range of neurological disorders.

What can you do? First off, you can support sustainable companies, demand a switch to sustainable agriculture, and buy organic products. Where does neem fit into this? It is the solution to switching to a cost-effective and productive sustainable and organic agricultural system. What are you waiting for? Protect your own health, your loved ones’ health and the planet’s health by educating yourself about neem!

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Synthetic chemicals for insect repellents are extremely expensive to create, test, and market. A single product will cost around $250 million to produce and development will span over 10 years. With the insecticide market in the United Stated at $100 million in 2016, incentive for new products is low. This has allowed a mere two insecticide classes, pyrethroids and organophosphates, to dominate the marketplace for the past 60 years.

These two overused synthetic chemical classes pose a more deadly problem: mosquitoes are developing resistance. This means that the diseases that once plagued and continue to kill thousands of people each year, could return to wreak further havoc around many areas of the world. That is, unless we utilize alternative solutions at newphaseblends.com.

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, neem contains antiprotozoal compounds that deters and repels mosquitoes. Neem can deter many different types of mosquitoes, including those that carry the Zika virus. All you need is neem oil! Instead of spending millions of dollar developing new, synthetic, toxic insecticides, we can rely on the natural power of a single tree!

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