Where have all the butterflies gone?
Today the children see computer-generated butterflies in the Disney movies. As children we were surrounded by butterflies and would look at the books to identify them. They were everywhere, fluttering and darting from flower to flower and beyond.
We would sneak behind them and try to catch them. Sometimes we would succeed, to their detriment. Some of my schoolmates even had butterfly collection books — a terrible idea, but we did not think much of it.
Hawaii, by its very isolation, has only a few types of butterflies. When I see these beautiful creatures darting around my garden, I am transfixed for minutes and it takes me back to my childhood. Today the butterflies are in the news often, not because of their beauty but because of their dearth and how we are contributing to it. With our anti-environmental activities, such as the use of powerful pesticides and herbicides, it is very unlikely that the children of Hawaii will chase butterflies in delightful amazement for very long.
Chemical use for control of insects to increase food production has been going on for centuries, initially with heavy metals, then plant-based compounds like nicotine, pyrethrum and rotenone. After 1950, synthetic chemicals exploded in numbers. These chemicals, while increasing worldwide food production in the short run, are causing havoc with the human, insect, bird, fish and plant life.
They even are reducing food production due to soil poisoning by changing the biome of the Earth. When the biome of the soil is changed, it decreases biodiversity and natural organic production.
These magical compounds are known as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and pest-control chemicals. They are available in every garden shop and drug store with no restriction as to who can buy and with unclear safety instructions on how to use them. These gardening helpers are known by such names as BHC, organophosphorus, organochemicals, carbamates and neonicotinoids.
Some neonicotinoids (the most effective bee, butterfly and bird killers) are sold under attractive names such as Admiral, Safari and Calypso. The subject of environmental poisons is a huge subject in itself and demands a separate article. That being said, these invisible environmental poisons are contributing to the toxic soup of air, water and soil in ever-increasing concentrations.
What is being done to control these poisons?
The chemical industry is the lifeline of the world — as well is the ultimate curse, poisoning the Earth, heading us into a self-destruction mode. While there is an addition of multitudes of chemicals yearly, mostly on conditional use, only a few get regulated. It is rare that any of them get banned, and if so, only conditionally.
The majority of banned herbicides and insecticides have been banned only in Europe and a very few in the U.S. and Canada, and almost none in the underdeveloped countries. The chemical and seed industries hold major political power.
What can you do to prevent harm to yourself and the environment?
Read the label — do not use these chemicals if at all possible, and if you have to use them, use them minimally with extreme caution. Remember that you may be poisoning not only yourself, but the fruits and vegetables your neighbors are eating. So, please be very, very careful.
