What you can say when marketing organic 2020 - Flipbook - Page 21
Wildlife declines
• Over 40% of insect species are declining and a
third are endangered125
• We are losing insects eight times faster than
mammals, birds and reptiles126
• The world’s insects are being lost at 2.5%
a year127
• A major global report states that insects could
vanish within a century128
• Intensive farming is the main cause of insect
decline - particularly the heavy use of
pesticides129
• 41% of Britain’s wildlife species have declined
since 1970 and more than one in ten are
currently facing extinction. Intensive farming
practices have been identified as the primary
drivers of these declines130
Organic is better for wildlife
• Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide
homes for bees, birds and butterflies. On average,
plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant
on organic farms131
• Organic farms are home to 30% more species of
wildlife on average132
• Organic farming is better for bees133 134
• More bees on organic farms135 136
• There are up to 7 times more bees in organic
grain fields137
• For every 10% increase in bee friendly habitats –
like that found on organic farms – bee numbers
and diversity increases by over a third138
• A small increase in bee-friendly organic habitat
would boost bee numbers by a third139
Organic farms are home to
30% more species of wildlife
on average
• Organic farms have around 50% more bees,
butterflies and other pollinators144
• Organic farming is better for pollinating insects145
• Studies have found more wildflowers on
organic farms146 147
• Studies have found that organic farming
improves pollination of flowers surrounding
the farm148 149
Ecological diversity
• Organic farms are more ecologically diverse150 151
• Organic farms have a more diverse range of
microbes living in the soil - this helps the crops
to grow without artificial fertilisers152 153
Life below water
• Organic supports cleaner water for
wildlife154 155 156 157 158
• Organic farming lowers the risk of pollution in
rivers and waterways159 160 161 162 163
• Fertilisers used in farming can create ‘ocean
dead zones’ which deprive life below water of
vital oxygen164
• The main cause of ‘ocean dead zones’ is
nitrogen fertilisers165
• There are more wild bees on organic farms140
Organic standards ban the use of manufactured
nitrogen fertilisers166
• There are around 75% more wild bees on
organic farms141
Manufactured nitrogen fertilisers are banned in
organic farming167
• Organic farming can improve the numbers of
bees found in habitats surrounding the farm142
• If pesticides were substituted for more
sustainable farming practices (like organic), this
could slow or reverse the decline in insects143
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