Study Reveals Rising Toxicity in Pesticide Use Threatening Global Biodiversity
A recent study published in Science highlights an increase in Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) from pesticides, posing significant risks to global biodiversity. The study, conducted from 2013 to 2019, analyzed data from 625 agricultural pesticides across eight species groups. It found that a small number of highly toxic pesticides are driving the rise in TAT, particularly affecting terrestrial arthropods, soil organisms, and fish. Major agricultural regions, including the U.S., China, Brazil, and India, contribute significantly to global TAT levels. The findings underscore the need for sustainable farming practices and less toxic alternatives to mitigate ecological harm.