Bees - their decline and even 'colony collapses' - are surely amongst the most high-profile and concerning of our current ecological crises, so it was only a matter of time before we got to discuss them on this podcast. And, in episode 11, we are joined by a singular global authority on the issue, Prof Dave Goulson. Dave is not just a leading expert on bees, their behaviours and the disastrous effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, but also among the most enthusiastic and compelling advocates for the wondrous world of insect life as a whole. And he has much alarming news for us in his recent book ‘Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse’, which we discuss in detail. Specifically, we explore the current state of insect declines, their potential effects and predominant causes, including habitat loss and agricultural chemicals. And, of course, we talk about what all this tells us about science and how it also needs to change to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. But, given Dave’s prolific and successful career as a writer of popular science books (translated into numerous languages) and a stellar communicator, we also talk about the importance of this seeming ‘sideshow’ for science, as well as other dimensions of a ‘science for the Anthropocene’ that it enables, not least of which is emotional engagement with the challenges. Join the discussion about a key issue for our future; for, as Dave reminds us, without these wondrous ‘creepy crawlies’, its game over for most of life on Earth.
