Protasis: Two billion kilograms* of insecticide are used globally; spread universally but largely across croplands, much of which are fertilized by bees ( a beneficial insect). Many of the compounds used do not readily break down, allowing the background quantity to accumulate.
Apodosis:Bees are suffering a mysterious decline, known as 'Colony collapse disorder'; no obvious reason can be found.
Humanity Baffled.
Apodosis:Bees are suffering a mysterious decline, known as 'Colony collapse disorder'; no obvious reason can be found.
Humanity Baffled.
*Wen Jun Zhang, et al (2011) argue that this is 4.6 billion kg.
Donaldson D., et al(1999) "Report No. EPA-733-R-02-OOI"** argue 5.6 billion kg. It seems difficult to get a good figure: data sets prefer to discuss dollar value. This author is aware that this is comparing apples to lobsters; that different insecticides have different toxicities, and hence a 'tonnage' figure is largely meaningless for any purpose beyond a sence of scale.
**No longer seems to be available.
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