What is the primary finding regarding pesticide toxicity from 2013 to 2019?

The study found that ecological harm from synthetic farm chemicals increased globally during this period, with insects experiencing the largest rise in toxicity.

Which species groups were most affected by increased pesticide toxicity?

Insects and soil organisms were most affected, experiencing significant increases in applied toxicity between 2013 and 2019.

Which country is on track to meet the UN's pesticide risk reduction target?

Chile is the only country identified as being on track to meet the United Nations' goal of reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030.

Home / Environment / Pesticide Toxicity Surges Globally, Harming Insects

Pesticide Toxicity Surges Globally, Harming Insects

6 Feb

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Summary

Insect harm from pesticides increased by 42.9% between 2013 and 2019.
Only aquatic plants and land vertebrates saw reduced danger.
Chile is on track to meet the 2030 UN pesticide risk reduction goal.

Pesticide Toxicity Surges Globally, Harming Insects

Ecological harm from synthetic farm chemicals has demonstrably worsened globally, with insects suffering the most significant increase in toxicity. Between 2013 and 2019, applied toxicity to insects rose by 42.9%, followed by a 30.8% increase for soil organisms.

This trend is concerning as world leaders pledged to halve pesticide risks by 2030. Researchers utilized the total applied toxicity framework, factoring in varying harm levels for different species, to assess damage from 625 pesticides across 65 countries.

While Europe and China have seen reductions due to policies phasing out certain chemicals and a zero-growth approach, significant increases occurred in Africa, India, the US, Brazil, and Russia. Notably, Chile is the only nation currently projected to meet the UN's biodiversity goal.