15
Dec
Tell the President: #BeeKindObama!
(Beyond Pesticides, December 15, 2014) Earlier this year, the President called on federal agencies to create a plan to “promote the health of honey bees and other pollinators.” To show appreciation for all that bees and wild pollinators provide, it is essential that this plan address toxic, persistent, and systemic neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) ”” which science has shown to be a critical driver of pollinator declines. The President’s Task Force is set to submit its recommendations to the White House by as early as the end of this week. We must remind the White House that we expect strong, meaningful action on bee-toxic pesticides when they release their Federal strategy in the coming months. EPA has indicated that its considering updating pesticide labels and is looking to states to adopt pollinator protection plans. It won’t be enough for EPA to stick to the same old routine. Bees and other pollinators have been increasingly exposed to these harmful pesticides for long enough. We need action now to suspend bee-killing neonics. 
As the pollinator crisis continues this holiday season, groups and concerned citizens across the country are calling on the President to #BeeKindObama, and give the gift of pollinator protection by making certain the Pollinator Health Task Force takes decisive action on bee-harming pesticides.
Other countries are following the science and directly addressing the threat that neonics pose to pollinators. Over a year ago, the European Union’s suspension of neonics went into effect. And just recently the government of Ontario announced plans to reduce the use of neonic-treated seeds by 80%. Pollinators in the United States can’t wait any longer, so we’re taking our request directly to the President and urging him to ensure the U.S. takes similar steps to protect pollinators!
Take Action
Can you help pollinators this holiday season by asking the President to #BeeKindObama and suspend bee-toxic neonics?
Joining the online action is easy:
1) Write out the hashtag #BeeKindObama on a sheet of paper, whiteboard, or print out the shareable bee image to the right.
2) Take a photo of yourself with the hashtag, asking the President to #BeekindObama and suspend harmful neonic pesticides.
3) Upload the photo to social media (Facebook or Twitter)
4) Tweet or post to @BarackObama or @WhiteHouse, and be sure to include the hashtag #BeeKindObama!
Get creative with your picture!
If you’re a beekeeper or have a friend who is, take the picture in front of your winterized hive with your beekeeping suit on. Or, dust off your Halloween honey bee costume! You could also show off the local honey you’ve purchased in your photo ”” anything that shows your appreciation for the critical services pollinators provide.
Sample Tweets
Here are a few sample tweets you can use with your photo (click to tweet!):
Ӣ President @BarackObama: Why are bees still waiting for protections from harmful #neonics? #BeeKindObama
Ӣ President @BarackObama: Take action to suspend bee-toxic neonic pesticides! #BeeKindObama
”¢ 1in3 bites of food need pollinators but they’re threatened by toxic neonics.@BarackObama will you help? #BeeKindObama
Sample Facebook post
Copy and paste below and send to www.facebook.com/barackobama or www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse:
President Obama, please ensure the Pollinator Health Task Force takes swift and meaningful action on bee-harming neonic pesticides. We rely on bees for 1 in 3 bites of food we eat, but they’re in trouble. Other countries are following the science and directly addressing the threat neonics pose to pollinators. Over a year ago, the European Union’s suspension of neonics went into effect. And just recently the government of Ontario announced plans to reduce the use of neonic-treated seeds by 80%. Pollinators in the United States can’t wait any longer. Please #BeeKindObama and suspend neonic pesticides!
We hope our staff photo above will inspire you to take action and ask the President to #BeeKindObama!
Thank you for participating in this important campaign! For more information on Beyond Pesticides efforts and how you can take action to protect honey bees and other wild pollinators, see the BEE Protective webpage.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.
President Obama, please ensure the Pollinator Health Task Force takes swift and meaningful action on bee-harming neonic pesticides. We rely on bees for 1 in 3 bites of food we eat, but they’re in trouble. Other countries are following the science and directly addressing the threat neonics pose to pollinators. Over a year ago, the European Union’s suspension of neonics went into effect. And just recently the government of Ontario announced plans to reduce the use of neonic-treated seeds by 80%. Pollinators in the United States can’t wait any longer. Please #BeeKindObama and suspend neonic pesticides!
Thank you,
Bruno
December 16th, 2014 at 9:56 amwe all share our home (planet)with everything that belongs here so we must be the caretakers and protectors.Please join us. thank you for your time.
December 26th, 2014 at 7:32 am