Things aren’t looking good for pollinators. Honey bee colonies are suffering record-breaking losses.

There were a few years of hope at the state level, with 11 states taking action on the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder, Bayer’s neonicotinoid insecticides. But, this year, only one new bill passed. LD 1323, in Maine, started out as a bill to ban Bayer’s neonic-soaked GMO seeds, as New York and Vermont have done, but it ended up just requiring a study of the issue.

At the federal level, things are even worse. The Saving America’s Pollinators Act to ban neonics nationwide hasn’t been reintroduced yet, and proposed budget cuts threaten to eliminate a scientific research institute that studies pollinators.

The target is the Department of the Interior and its enforcement of the Endangered Species Act. This administration doesn’t like the way that impacts drilling, mining, and new construction, so they’ve proposed eliminating the U.S. Geological Services Ecosystem Management Area. That’s where Department of the Interior scientists study industry’s impacts on endangered species, and it includes the government’s only research group charged with identifying native bees, the USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, Maryland.

TAKE ACTION:

Tell Your State Legislators To Ban Neonic-Treated Seeds!

Tell Congress to save the Bee Lab and pass the Saving America’s Pollinators Act!

Beyond Pesticides:

“Eliminating hazardous pesticide use along with the planting of forage and habitat areas with native vegetation are the best options for conserving pollinators. See recommendations for your home and garden.

Backyard trees, gardens and beekeeping are great ways to support biodiversity and pollinators. Intentionally providing water, food and forage to pollinators will encourage and boost pollinator populations in your community.

What to do…

– Plant colorful, bee-attractive flowering plants. Don’t have a garden? Balcony and window plants are also great ways to support pollinators.

– Encourage birds with bird baths and seed.

– Plant an organic garden.

– Know your weeds – create a healthy, organic lawn.

– Organic Lawn Care 101 – simple steps to convert your lawn to organic.

– Do not spray pesticides, especially when pollinators are present. See a list of neonicotinoid products to especially avoid.

– Pledge your organically managed yard or park as a pollinator-friendly Pesticide Free Zone.

– Map your organic landscape on Honeybee Haven.

– See our BEE Protective Habitat Guide for more information on bee-attractive flowers.

– See our Do-It-Yourself Biodiversity for hints about increasing biodiversity, which supports pollinators.”

Learn more and get recommendations for roadsides and rights-of-way, prairies, meadows, and other grasslands, forestland, and agriculture

Non-Toxic Dad writes:

“Let’s talk about stress. Not in the abstract sense, but in the real, daily kind—the kind that creeps in when your to-do list is longer than the day, your phone won’t stop buzzing, or your nervous system feels like it’s running on fumes. For many of us, stress isn’t some once-in-a-while event. It’s baseline. The problem is that most of us are used to powering through it.

But here’s the thing: powering through isn’t a strategy. It’s a short-term survival mechanism that eventually leaves you burnt out, reactive, and disconnected from your body. If you’re looking for a way to support your system without relying on caffeine, screen time, or synthetic quick-fixes, I’ve got something for you—a simple, DIY nervous system support spray that works like a reset button for your body and mind.

It might sound almost too simple—how much can a scent do? Turns out, quite a lot. The olfactory system (your sense of smell) is directly connected to the limbic system in the brain, which regulates emotion, memory, and the stress response. This means certain natural plant compounds—especially when delivered through essential oils—can have a measurable impact on your nervous system within seconds. We’re not talking about synthetic room sprays or plug-ins here. This is a clean, intentional tool made with pure ingredients that work with your body, not against it.” 



Get the recipe for DIY Nervous System Support Spray

Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede:

“A new long-term animal study of the widely used weed killer glyphosate find fresh evidence that the herbicide, introduced by Monsanto in the 1970s, causes multiple types of cancer, and may do so at doses considered safe by regulators.

The results of the two-year study, which were published June 10 in the journal Environmental Health, add to an ongoing global debate over the safety of the pesticide, which is commonly used by farmers to kill weeds in fields and pastures. The chemical is also used widely to manage weeds on golf courses, in parks and playgrounds, and in forestry management.

‘Our study provides solid and independent scientific evidence of the carcinogenicity of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides,’ said Daniele Mandrioli, director of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the Ramazzini Institute in Italy. Mandrioli is the principal investigator for the study.”

Read about how the researchers said the study results indicate the glyphosate herbicides can cause a range of cancers, including leukemia

TAKE ACTION: Make Your State the First to Ban Monsanto’s Roundup Weedkiller!

Frey Vineyards has generously stepped up to help OCA with our fundraising efforts through a special offer to our network.

Discover Frey Vineyards — Nestled in Redwood Valley, CA,  they are America’s first Organic and Biodynamic Winery! Their wines feature no added sulfites, native yeasts, and regenerative farming practices, capturing true, earth-driven flavor. The Frey family are stewards to nearly 1,000 acres of wildlife corridors around and through their vineyards, preserving the native habitat, a home for bears, mountain lions, and pollinators. Thank you, Frey Vineyards, for your long time commitment to organics and for your support of OCA.

SPECIAL PROMO: Use promo code ORGANICCONSUMERS at checkout to enjoy 15% OFF your Frey Wine purchase—plus, 25% of that sale directly supports the Organic Consumers Association and our mission to protect and advocate for consumers’ right to safe, healthful food and other consumer products, a just food and farming system, and an environment rich in biodiversity and free of pollutants.

Visit Frey Vineyards online to join us in supporting planet-positive wine. Savor every sip, make every purchase meaningful. Visit our Facebook page to join the conversation.

By Rosie McCall, Discover:

“Breathing is something we do more or less without thinking but it may reveal more about ourselves than we might think – from our body mass index (BMI) to our propensity to develop anxiety.

Scientists writing in Current Biology have compared our highly unique breathing patterns to “fingerprints,” finding that researchers identified participants from their breaths with almost 100 percent accuracy – or 96.8 percent, to be precise.

Not only that, but subtle differences may provide intriguing insights into an individual’s health status, not to mention their mood, cognition, and behavioral tendencies.

Using data collected from 97 of the original 100 participants, the study’s authors identified different individuals by breathing patterns alone, reporting levels of accuracy that were on par (or even higher) than those achieved from voice recognition.”

Read about how there could be a time when our unique breathing fingerprints are used to diagnose and treat certain diseases and conditions

Dr. Adeiyewunmi (Ade) Osinubi, ABC News:

“Forever chemicals have come under growing scrutiny in recent years because they build up in the body and may trigger health problems, according to a growing body of research.

In this new study, Zhang and his team found that when babies were exposed in the womb to specific types of forever chemicals — PFDeA, PFNA, and PFUnA — they had higher systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) later in life, possibly because these chemicals can cross the placenta during pregnancy and affect early development.

Boys could be more sensitive to environmental pollutants due to slower removal rates of toxins from the body and higher rates of buildup.”

Learn how PFAS exposure in the womb can affect fetal growth

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your State Legislators to Ban Toxic PFAS!

Aaron Glantz writes for The Guardian:

“Doctors at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals nationwide could refuse to treat unmarried veterans and Democrats under new hospital guidelines imposed following an executive order by Donald Trump.

The new rules, obtained by The Guardian, also apply to psychologists, dentists and a host of other occupations. They have already gone into effect in at least some VA medical centers.

Medical staff are still required to treat veterans regardless of race, color, religion and sex, and all veterans remain entitled to treatment. But individual workers are now free to decline to care for patients based on personal characteristics not explicitly prohibited by federal law.”



Unfortunately, this is not The Onion. Language requiring healthcare professionals to care for veterans regardless of their politics and marital status has been explicitly eliminated

Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our food system, playing a vital role in putting food on our tables. Without them, many of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and nuts would disappear.

But toxic pesticides, like Roundup, pose a significant threat to these crucial creatures, and to our health. The Deadly Legacy of Roundup new research has shed light on and confirms the alarming connections between Roundup and cancer. The evidence is clear: exposure to this toxic chemical can have devastating health consequences.

It’s time to take action and demand a safer, healthier food system.

Please consider making a donation today to help us with this crucial work.

By supporting OCA, you’ll be helping to advocate for policies that protect pollinators and promote pollutant free agriculture, raise awareness about the dangers of toxic pesticides like Roundup, and support organic farmers and regenerative food systems.

Please help us raise much needed funds if you can, and if you have already donated we greatly appreciate your support in this movement for a better future.

Let’s do this together!

Make a tax-deductible donation to Organic Consumers Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Make a tax-deductible donation to Regeneration International, our international sister organization

Have you considered making a grant request from your Donor-Advised Fund?

Lauren Filla & Seraph Kunkel report for Common Dreams:

“A new ICL facility would further establish St. Louis as a hub of militarization and an exporter of global death and destruction.

Monsanto is responsible for white phosphorus production in a supply chain trifecta with ICL and Pine Bluffs Arsenal. White phosphorus is a horrific incendiary weapon that heats up to 1,400°F, and international law bans its use against civilians. From 2020 to 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense ordered and paid ICL for over 180,000 lbs of white phosphorus, shipped from their South City Carondelet location to Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas. White phosphorus artillery shells with Pine Bluff Arsenal codes were identified in Lebanon and Gaza after the Israel Defense Forces unlawfully used them over residential homes and refugee camps, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. 

ICL is receiving $197 million from the federal government. The city is forgiving a $500,000 loan to troubled investors Green Street to sell the land to ICL and is proposing a 90% tax abatement in personal property taxes for ICL, plus 15 years of real estate tax abatements. This is a troubling regional trend, considering that in 2023, St. Louis County approved $155 million in tax breaks to expand Boeing, also giving them a 50% cut in real estate and personal property taxes over 10 years.”

READ: Missouri Puts Profits Over People’s Lives With New Israeli Chemical Limited Facility

Take Action with CodePink St. Louis: No More Weapons Facilities in Missouri!

Maria Faalafi, The Healthy Building Designer:

“It’s time to bring attention to the people living with invisible disabilities worldwide.

Unlike visible conditions, invisible disabilities, such as ADHD, autism, migraines and other chronic illnesses, are often hidden, but the impacts can be just as debilitating. Yet, current policies and building standards rarely address our needs. We are often left to struggle in silence, dismissed simply because we ‘look fine.’ It’s time for change. We need environments that acknowledge and include us all!

Some of the simple impactful actions that can make a difference include:

– Replacing fluorescent lighting with non-flickering warm LED lights.

– Restricting the use of products containing synthetic fragrances, opting instead for fragrance-free alternatives or those using natural essential oils.

– Creating quiet areas with low lighting, minimal noise, and natural elements to help reset our nervous systems.

– Using noise-absorbing materials to minimize auditory stress.

– Opting for calming, natural colors and minimal patterns to create a visually soothing environment.

– Incorporating more natural elements, such as plants and natural materials, to help reduce indoor air pollution and create healthier spaces.”



Read how these changes benefit not just those with invisible disabilities, but everyone who uses these spaces. A healthier, more inclusive environment fosters well-being for all

General Mills to Remove Toxic Dyes After AG Paxton Probe and Legal Action

Daily Cup of Beans Improves Heart Health in Those With Pre Diabetes

The Neglected Abundance Of Your Backyard

After Early Reprieve From Immigration Enforcement, Farming Industry Reckons With Raids

Regen Agriculture Outperforms Conventional Farming Across Key Metrics

Coconut Oils Tested for Toxic Phthalates — Buying Guide

The One Drug RFK Jr. Should Actually Ban

Not Just Progressives: Over Half of Trump Voters Oppose U.S. War on Iran

California’s Yurok Tribe Gets Back Ancestral Lands That Were Taken Over 120 Years Ago

Beware Co-Formulants: The Black Box of Pesticides’ Toxicity

Trump Administration Abandons Deal With Northwest Tribes to Restore Salmon

Ditching Rogaine: My Healthier Hair Growth Solution

The Iconic California Avocado Is in Trouble, and This Farmer Is Fighting To Save It

Climate Change Is Affecting Our Gut Microbiome

Trump-GOP Budget Imperils Pollinators Amid Bee Colony Collapse

Getting in More Steps May Prevent the Leading Cause of Disability in the US, Study Says

Psyllium Husk Is Being Touted as ‘Nature’s Ozempic’ – Here’s What Experts Say

Baldío: A Zero-Waste Restaurant Model Rooted in Regenerative Agriculture