A new study connects the die-off of bats due to a lethal fungus to a surge in pesticide use, resulting in over 1,300 additional infant deaths across affected regions.
Rebekah White reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The death of bats from a fungus led farmers to increase pesticide use by over 31%, particularly in areas where bats had vanished.
- This rise in pesticide use correlated with a 7.9% increase in infant mortality in those regions, amounting to 1,334 extra infant deaths.
- The study suggests a direct link between the health of bats and human infants, with pesticide exposure as a key factor.
Key quote:
“We’re dumping these synthetic materials into our environment, not knowing anything about what their impacts are going to be.”
— David Rosner, Columbia history professor
Why this matters:
This study raises big questions about our dependence on chemicals and the far-reaching impact of species decline. The link between the loss of bats and an 8% jump in infant mortality rates might seem surprising, but it is yet another example of how tenuous our balance with nature is. Read more: New analysis warns of pesticide residues on some fruits and veggies.
