It’s time to get to BEEEEsness, EPA!

60 House of Representative members sent a letter to the EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to protect pollinators (AKA bees) from the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides. Local Representatives Chakah Fattah (PA-02) and Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) both signed the letter, for those of you keeping tabs on who’s defending our local sustainability.

Bee populations have been declining at an alarming rate, which would harm our daily lives a LOT more than you honey lovers. Grocery stores would look drastically different without our little yellow bumbling friends.

Native pollinators like bumblees have been suffering drastic declines, with two species now pending for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Over 40 pollinator species listed as threatened or endangered on the list, and the monarch butterfly has declined by 90 percent.

Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and John Conyers (MI-13) lead the effort. As Blumenauer said,

“Protecting our pollinators is essential to the health and future of our environment and our species. I’m going to keep hammering away on this issue until we can ensure that the products we are using in our backyards and on our farms are not killing pollinators. I’m passionate about it. Oregonians are passionate about it. You only have to look at the reaction to the die off of 50,000 bumblebees in Wilsonville last summer to know that. It’s time for the EPA to act.”

Read the complete letter:

9-30-14 Pollinator Letter to EPA FINAL

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Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia. View all posts by Julie Hancher