NRDC Activist,

As the world continues to grapple with a pandemic, NRDC remains committed to the fight to protect our health, our environment, our climate, and threatened species.

It's no secret that pollinating bees are dying at a catastrophic rate, and losing bees would put our very food supply at risk.

The widespread use of highly bee-toxic neonic pesticides is a big part of the problem, and one the EPA can and should do something about.

But it's not just bees that are affected...

President Trump's EPA has begun to acknowledge what research has shown for years: that neonic pesticides pose serious risks to birds, other wildlife — and even human health.

But instead of taking sweeping measures to crack down on neonics, the EPA — backing its friends in Big Ag and the pesticide industry — is pushing to continue allowing widespread neonic use all over the country. We can't afford to let this happen:

We only have until May 4 to submit an official public comment demanding that Trump's EPA restrict neonic pesticide use. Submit your comment using our tool right now!

Flooding the EPA with official public comments will help bolster our case that people demand action to protect our vital pollinating bees.

Over the last decade, scientific evidence — including industry-sponsored research submitted to the EPA — has shown with more certainty the dire threats neonics pose to pollinating bees, aquatic wildlife, birds, and possibly to people. These public health threats include neurological and developmental harms.

But the EPA continues to recklessly disregard or downplay findings that link neonic exposure with harm to wildlife and people.

Federal law requires the EPA to review all registered pesticides every 15 years to assess their impacts on the environment and public health. If the EPA doesn't use this rare review period to correct course and ban or heavily restrict dangerous neonic use, then it may be too late to save bees. We can't wait another 15 years, so we need to act NOW:

There are just DAYS left: Submit an official comment to the EPA urging them to enact stronger protections against rampant neonic use so we can protect our bees, our food supply, and our health!

While other countries are taking charge and banning nearly all uses of neonics, the EPA refuses to take bold steps to restrict its use in a meaningful way and is instead proposing a series of half-measures — like canceling some neonic uses on turf and adding label language to warn homeowners about using the product.

The EPA's weak proposal will mean continued, widespread use of these highly toxic pesticides.

NRDC is prepared to take the agency to court — again — to stop the over-use of neonics and protect our pollinating bees and our health. But right now we need you to submit a comment rejecting the EPA's proposal and demanding powerful, protective actions against neonics BEFORE the May 4 deadline.

Thank you. Together, we can fight to protect our communities, our environment, and our health.

Sincerely,

Lucas Rhoads
Project Attorney, Nature, NRDC