Hi Everyone!
Our book for September was A Spring Without Bees by Michael Schacker. The book investigates Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a syndrome that has had a major impact on honeybees. Schacker describes how the loss of bees could be a disaster for food production, the economy, and even civilizaton itself. While U.S. media and government say that CCD is a mystery with no known cause, the author cites French studies that implicate the pesticide imidacloprid and other similar pesticides. These studies led to the pesticide being banned in France. He argues that U.S. research institutes and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are ignoring this evidence because they are dominated by the chemical industry. He then outlines a plan to save the bees, which includes a recommendation to switch to organic agriculture.
This book prompted an interesting book club discussion. Many of our members enjoyed this book and liked the engaging writing style, and appreciated knowing more about this issue. Few of us had heard of the CCD/imidacloprid link, and most found it quite plausible that chemical companies were using their influence to suppress the French research and focus attention on other possible causes. There was a general appreciation for the author's promotion of organic methods, and many pleasant digressions into the topics of gardening and honey and beekeeping.
However, many people found Schacker's style to be too sensationalist. Some thought he exaggerated the threat, and overemphasized or misrepresented evidence that supported his argument and glossed over anything that didn't. Others noted that he seemed to rely on a very few studies, mention them repetetively, and treat their conclusions as fact. Some thought that sensationalist writing wasn't necessarily a bad thing, and that it might be necessary to get people to engage with the issue and pay attention. Still others criticized Schacker's expansion beyond the issue of CCD, and felt he was overreaching in his proposals to completely convert U.S. agriculture to organic methods. We brought up the large-scale organic farms talked about in Michael Pollan's book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and commented that it didn't seem as ideal as Schacker envisioned. All in all it was an imperfect but interesting read that raised our awareness of an issue many of us knew little about.
We selected the book for November (see sidebar) but wanted to get ideas for more positive environmental books. So please, we would appreciate your recommendation of environmental books with a positive or solution oriented emphasis. Send them to jlewis@asri.org. Any and all recommendations are welcome. Thanks!
Next up: "The Green Road to Economic Recovery" by Bracken Hendricks and “Eco-Junk: Why Buying Less Is More Than Buying Green” by George Monbiot. See sidebar for schedule.
Happy Reading!
July Lewis
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I would like to know who you are referring to when you say:
ReplyDelete"However, many people found Schacker's style to be too sensationalist. Some thought he exaggerated the threat, and overemphasized or misrepresented evidence that supported his argument and glossed over anything that didn't. Others noted that he seemed to rely on a very few studies, mention them repetetively, and treat their conclusions as fact." Please give your figures and sources for your statement. The author does, so why don't you?
Again, who are these "others" you refer to when you say:
"Still others criticized Schacker's expansion beyond the issue of CCD, and felt he was overreaching in his proposals to completely convert U.S. agriculture to organic methods." Perhaps they do not realize broader implications of making mistakes with the way we treat the environment, something that I am sure Audubon Society members tend to encourage or at least discuss.
It is difficult to be completely positive about such an serious issue, but the author does accomplish this with his very positive solutions in Chapter 15, many more than just moving toward organic practices. And he proposes ways to transition to organic practices--it is clear this will not happen overnight. He says, "it is better to be safe than sorry and to error on the side of caution"--doesn't sound sensationalist to me--just straight forward.
There are now more scientific studies available from Germany, Spain and Italy--countries that just this summer have suspended use of IMD. It used to be that America was not prejudiced against scientific studies from other countries. Science was--and still is--science. Now, however, it is clear that we ignore what we don't want to hear and so the message must be repeated until it is heard.
Michael Schacker is not able to comment on your post due to aphasia from a massive stroke suffered before the book was published. So please forgive my having to speak for him.
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteSorry if it wasn't clear--this is a summary of a book club discussion. "Some people" and "others" refers to members of the book club who offered various comments and opinions about the book. I do not name book club members individually when summarizing the discussion.
Thanks for the comment,
July Lewis
I've just edited the post a bit so hopefully it will be clearer that I am referring to various comments by book club members.
ReplyDelete