Systemic pesticides: a disaster in the making

摘要

Many possible causes of the global decline in bee populations have been posited. among them pesticides and the systemic neonicotinoid pesticides in particular. Henk Tennekes' book brings together in a new way several strands of evidence about the potential harms of these insecticides, and joins the voices of campaigning organisations in calling for a ban. He also makes a compelling case for urgent action to halt declines in insect and bird populations. However, overall the book lacks coherence, and, with a disappointingly brief discussion, it is not clear how Tennekes arrives at his exclusive focus on neonicotinoids as the cause of these declines. With its curious juxtaposition of scientific report and vivid landscape paintings, the question also arises of who the book is for.