Author: Fee Writes

Neonicotinoids and Bees

Neonicotinoids and Bees

It really does upset me that this beautiful country that I live in (N.Z.) is so backward when it comes to environmental and animal welfare issues.

Recently I read an article about the neonicotinoid pesticides having such a devastating effect on bees and how in June 2014 a team at Harvard announced that when hives were treated with neonicotinoids, half of them collapsed.

Back around July 2013, after evidence against neonicotinoids had begun to accumulate, the EU had moved to ban three neonicotinoids from use on cereals and flowering crops attractive to bees which came into effect in December 2013.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued a report saying that there is a connection to the health of the honey bees saying “pesticides may be part of the problem, including both the pyrethroid and neonicotinoid classes of pesticides”. But their recommendations are more about best management practices and technical advancements for applying pesticides to reduce dust, etc. than about the actual threat or banning them.

New Zealand just loves to follow USA and again our “clean, green” image comes into some question as once more the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which has the authority, has not even begun to investigate this new research …… but then New Zealand is known for dragging the chain when it comes to banning pesticides along with other environmental and animal issues.

I wonder what Sir Edmund Hillary – our famous beekeeper mountaineer – would say about this.

By the way, I applaud the EU for making this move even if it is on a “trial” basis for 2 years.  They did this in the face of intense lobbying and interference by Bayer and Syngenta who make and sell the chemicals.

 

 

 

 

 




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Expanding Marine Sanctuaries.

Expanding Marine Sanctuaries.

In Washington President Obama announced (17th June 2014) that he intends to vastly expand the marine life sanctuaries in the Pacific Ocean. These are huge areas in the central Pacific Ocean and will become off-limits to fishing, energy exploration and other activities. Basically this will create the largest marine sanctuary pretty much doubling the entire current marine sanctuaries world wide.

Well done Obama!

Marine Sanctuary
Almost on the same day here in N.Z. the Government announced that it has opened up more than 3000 square kilometers of marine mammal sanctuary for oil drilling. Not only is this area a marine sanctuary but it is also home to the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin.

Shame on you Key!

Only 55 Maui Dolphins left!

 

 

 

 

 

 




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Smile!

Smile!

CARTOON TIME

 

 

 

 

 

 




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McDonalds Sponsored What?

McDonalds Sponsored What?

Today I read that a weekend conference for Nutritionists held in California had, as their main sponsor, McDonalds.

Yes, you read that right.  What on earth is McDonalds doing at a Nutrition conference???

It appears that they were promoting their ‘healthy menu’ by being the only provider of lunches ….. which, as far as I’m concerned, is no more ‘healthy’ than their regular meals.
To quote from the article:
One peered into a plastic bowl containing a salad of lettuce, bacon, chicken, cheese, and ranch dressing. The other arranged two chocolate chip cookies and a yogurt parfait on a napkin. “Eww,” she said, gingerly stirring the layers of yogurt and pink strawberry goop. The woman with the salad nodded in agreement, poking at a wan chicken strip with her plastic fork.”
Sounds disgusting.

McDonalds wasn’t the only sponsor, oh no, Hersheys, Butter Buds, Sizzler and California Pizza Kitchen were also there touting their wares. Even the California Beef Council were giving out pamphlets on how to lose weight by eating steak.

All of this is just so wrong. But unfortunately, we live in a society where those who have the money also have the power and to put on a large conference it takes money. It’s such a shame that those who organised this event perhaps had no other alternative but to get sponsorship from the least nutritional companies they could find.

I don’t believe they should have even considered doing such a thing as, in my mind, it just makes the word ‘nutritionist’ a complete farce.

 

 

 

 

 

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Art For The Sake Of The Planet

Art For The Sake Of The Planet

One of my interests is pastel painting and I have long admired an artist called Zaria Forman. She paints with pastels the most beautiful scenes of the Greenland ice.

Her paintings are huge.

Take a look at this video and see Zaria’s amazing paintings that she does as her way of enlightening us to the beauty of our planet.

 

 

 

 

 

 




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I’m On Bluesky

I’m On Bluesky

About Me

fee o'shea

Thanks for dropping by. My name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author, and a Comedy Improver.
This blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s World is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.

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