PAN's Latest Action Alert: "Hey, Congress, Save the Bees"

For those who haven’t heard, we have a major problem with the dying off of our honey bees and other pollinators.

I received this action alert yesterday from Pesticide Action Network (PAN), which calls for us to ask Congress to take action on which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dragging its feet. If you have some time, read PAN's science-based report (Honey Bees and Pesticides: State of the Science) on the situation.

"Last week we released a report, Honey Bees and Pesticides: State of the Science. In it, we present 22 pages of studies documenting the role of pesticides in recent honey bee die-offs. The science is complex, but it is not unclear: if we want our bees to stop dying, we need to protect them from pesticides.

"Despite a year of damning new evidence, EPA is still stalling. We need, therefore, to press Congress into action.

"Bees need decisive action» Congress has the authority to exercise oversight over federal agencies like EPA. They can call a hearing, and they alone can fix a broken pesticide law that leaves EPA hamstrung and captive to industry players like Bayer. Help them understand what’s at stake.

"Honey bees pollinate one in every three bites of our food and, as an indicator species, they serve as sentinels we ignore at our own peril.

"EPA is currently reviewing neonicotinoids, including clothianidin, in a process that is expected to last through 2018. With one-third of our bees dying off each year, this timeline is nowhere near fast enough.

"Dear Congress, do something!» We will continue to pressure EPA to take action on clothianidin, and expect the legal petition we filed earlier this month to initiate a public process in which we’ll engage PAN supporters. In the meanwhile, we need pressure on all fronts and we have to turn up the heat. Join us in telling Congress, 'We know enough. EPA is broken. It’s time for you to get in the ring.'”

Click here to let Congress know how you feel.