Pollinator Poverty Killing People

Seventy-five percent of crops require a wild insect pollinator. Data from many farms across the world was analysed by a specialist group at Harvard University. They found that the sharp declines of insect pollinators, led to a 3-5% decline in the production of fruit, vegetables and nuts. The Harvard investigation then looked at premature human deaths, with dietary links. These included heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/09/global-pollinator-losses-causing-500000-early-deaths-a-year-study). The Harvard study concluded that the lower consumption of fruit, vegetables and nuts, resulted in an annual 1% increase in premature human deaths. This is equivalent to 500,000 early deaths. Most of these deaths, of course, occur in the less-developed (poorer) parts of the world. They seem to get most of the negative consequences of humans messing with their environment. Climate change also affects these regions especially badly.