The action we need to push bee-saving legislation in California over the finish line

California could be the next state to ban the worst uses of bee-killing pesticides.

Save the bees

Bee on purple flower
Marek Walica | Shutterstock.com

We have the opportunity to make California the next state to take vital, bee-saving action.

A bill has made its way through the California Legislature that would ban the worst uses of neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids, or neonics, are a class of pesticides that attack bees’ nervous systems, often resulting in death.

But this critical, bee-saving bill still needs the governor’s signature to become law — and for that to happen, we need to demonstrate broad public support for bee-saving action.

Bees face a wide array of challenges, from climate change to habitat loss — but one of the deadliest factors driving their decline is likely neonics.

Neonics are neurotoxins that damage bees’ ability to forage for food, navigate or even walk in a straight line. Since their introduction, neonics have become one of the most widely used pesticides. As their use has climbed, so too has the research documenting their harmful effects on bees and other pollinators. Bees exposed to neonics have shown large population die-offs.

In a statewide survey of California bees, eight entire species of bee were declared missing.

If we’re going to save the bees, we need to rein in the widespread use of these pesticides — and that’s where you come in.

States including New Jersey and Vermont have already passed similar legislation restricting the use of neonicotinoids. Now, it’s California’s turn to save our state’s bees. By sending a message today, you can help show our governor that Californians care deeply about saving the bees and urge him to take action.

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Authors

Laura Deehan

State Director, Environment California

Laura directs Environment California's work to tackle global warming, protect the ocean and fight for clean air, clean water, open spaces and a livable planet. Laura stepped into the State Director role in January, 2021 and has been on staff for over twenty years. She has led campaigns to make sure California goes big on offshore wind and to get lead out of school drinking water. As the Environment California Field Director, she worked to get California to go solar, ban single use plastic grocery bags and get on track for 100% clean energy. Laura lives with her family in Richmond, California where she enjoys hiking, yoga and baking.