Global pollinator losses causing 500,000 early deaths a year – study

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 05:42:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/09/global-pollinator-losses-causing-500000-early-deaths-a-year-study>

"The global loss of pollinators is already causing about 500,000 early deaths a
year by reducing the supply of healthy foods, a study has estimated.

Three-quarters of crops require pollination but the populations of many insects
are in sharp decline. The inadequate pollination that results has caused a
3%-5% loss of fruit, vegetable and nut production, the research found. The
lower consumption of these foods means about 1% of all deaths can now be
attributed to pollinator loss, the scientists said.

The researchers considered deaths from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and
some cancers, all of which can be reduced with healthier diets. The study is
the first to quantify the human health toll of insufficient wild pollinators.

The study was based on data from hundreds of farms across the world,
information on yields and diet-related health risks and a computer model that
tracks the global trade in food."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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