Target: Mark Spencer, U.K. Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries
Goal: Preserve earthworm populations instrumental in ecological and agricultural vitality.
Plentiful attention has been given to the plight of many endangered species and declining wildlife populations. Precious little notice is paid to the organisms known as the guardians of the soil and the world’s food supply, however. A recent study revealed a concerning long-term decrease in the United Kingdom’s (UK) earthworm population. The organisms have steadily declined as much as two percent a year. If such studies were conducted in other countries, findings would likely be similar.
On a readily observable level, these populations decreases are reflected in the parallel declines of woodland birds that feast on earthworms. Some woodlands avian species have dropped as much as one-third. On a deeper level, the loss of earthworms presents a threat to the stability of ecosystems and to the planetary food supply. Earthworms help break down organic matter so that it is usable by other life forms. They also help water, food, and nutrients circulate through topsoil, enriching the layer of earth responsible for up to 90 percent of plant and crop growth.
Ironically, agricultural runoff is believed to be one of the main culprits in dwindling earthworm populations, along with the drying out of soil fueled by climate change. Sign the petition below to call for more investment and resources in preserving organisms crucial to ecological protection.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Spencer,
The earthworm was recently voted Invertebrate of the Year in the UK. This small but powerful organism has more than earned the distinction. Earthworms are keystone living beings that serve as critical cogs in ecosystems. Even more vitally, they nourish and enrich topsoil around the world so that food can grow and societies can thrive. One estimate has placed earthworms as the world’s fourth largest food producer. Their loss would compound food insecurity and set off a global ecological crisis.
Earthworm populations are reportedly dropping at a steady pace in the UK, and likely worldwide. We must better understand the reasons for this decline and implement strong plans of action to curb it. Please invest in studying and resolving this troubling phenomenon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Sarefo
where i live planes fly over my home several times a day dumping toxic heavy metal fog over my home. this is done in the name of stopping climate change when in fact it is killing the environment. anyone who knows what heavy metals do knows the brain and nervous system are the start of the problem. does the rise in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s alarm anyone? it should. deer wasting syndrome, mad cow and the list goes on. these animals forage on the grass and plants that are being contaminated with these chemicals. they drink the water that it pollutes. wildlife and people are being decimated by this worthless practice which is destroying instead of fixing the environment. Tennessee just outlawed this spraying and i hope more states will follow. then throw round up in the mix and you have a perfect storm of disaster. they know this stuff causes cancer yet it is still used and sold for commercial and personal use. bayer and monsanto provide this cocktail for destruction. they sell seeds that are GMO and are the only ones that will not die in this poison, especially soy and corn that will grow in their toxic mess. all others will die if planted. that’s why the food we eat now has no taste and has a hard consistency. these companies disgusting practices have cost many farmers their farms. if the farmers feed or product has any monsanto lab made seed in it they sue the farmers for stealing the product. they then conduct a lawsuit and bankrupt the farmer. one who fought back won in court. it was proven that cross pollination from a farm miles away who used that garbage is what did it. cow farts, air conditioners, gas stoves and all the other bullshit that these control freaks are throwing out there are all bullshit. it is the large corporations and politicians that make billions off this garbage who are the ones to blame. we claim to eliminate 1 disaster and we create 10 that are far worse. it always goes back to follow the money. i am not a conspiracy theorist or an insane alarmist just someone who cares about the beauty that god created that is being destroyed by uncaring greedy people. i just hope it’s not too late to fix the problems.