But new evidence is surfacing every day. The latest reports on endocrine disrupters and estrogen simulators are disturbing to say the least. One thing it does provide is evidence that these pesticides are working their way through the environment and are harming humans. On top of all of these facts, the real issue is that pesticide use is not necessarily helping to grow more abundant crops. While it may cause a plentiful harvest for a few years, there are unforeseen problems on the agricultural horizon.
Pesticide use eventually causes crop loss for a variety of reasons.
Convincing the farmers who are making the money now, however, is another story. They don't understand the long-term consequences, the effect on the ecosystem, or the eventual losses involved. I don't believe that there is such a thing as optimal pesticide use. Because of the resistant nature of the chemicals and nature's ability to adjust and become immune to whatever is sprayed, what seems optimal one year goes way beyond optimal the next. If we are already seeing pesticides increasing pest problems, destroying natural enemies, rendering soil unproductive, and causing harm to many species, there is absolutely no way that it could get any better or even remain constant, because more chemicals are needed every season to receive the same results.