Unveiling the Shocking Secrets of Pesticides with Elizabeth Hilborn, Ep70

Forces for Nature

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First, the tadpoles and frogs disappeared; then the bats and the songbirds left. Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn, a honey bee veterinarian and environmental health scientist, soon realized the bees—the vital pollinators of fruits, plants, and vegetables—were dying. Everything went still and silent. In 2017, after a large flood, most of the teeming life on her beloved family farm in North Carolina had vanished in a matter of weeks. As a scientist and a naturalist, Hilborn set about to get answers and shares her story in her riveting book, Restoring Eden, and in this episode.

No matter where you live- even if it's a city far from farmland- if you drink water and eat food, you are going to want to listen to this episode.

Highlights

• The alarming findings about pesticides, particularly Roundup and neonicotinoids, on the environment, wildlife, and human health.
• Why some pesticides cannot be washed off.
• Strategies for individuals to minimize exposure to harmful pesticides and support a healthier ecosystem.

What YOU Can Do

• Get in the know by buying her book, Restoring Eden
• Support local agriculture, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and organic agricultural practices in the food you buy, when possible.
• Mow less and plant native flowers (grown from uncoated seed) to support wild pollinators.
• Leaving soil undisturbed and leaving leaves when they fall are ways to support our beneficial insects.
• The Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting comments about treated seed. Leave a comment in support of regulations. (find other petitions to sign once this comment period is over or create your own)

Resources

• Visit Elizabeth's website
• Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen List

Check out the great work of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and their podcast!

Want a free guide to help you become a force for nature? Get it HERE!
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