Is it just me: Are toxic herbicides and fewer butterflies a bad thing?

Should city dwellers, safe as safe can be from nature’s ups and downs [“Thank goodness for miles of tarmac, tall protective buildings and huge, enclosed shopping centres!”], be concerned about the problems facing the monarch butterfly?

“Daddy? What’s a butterfly?”


[Cities protect us from the real world?: Photo link]

“I’m not sure, Appalachia. Eat your cocoa-flavoured Rice Krispies and ask your teacher.”

[You think Appalachia is a bit unusual? Click here for unusual.]

You’d be concerned if you rued the day they vanish from the planet.

And well they could for several reasons.

From The Canadian Press:

“Experts warn this could happen within 20 years”

“North American monarch population has been in steady decline in recent years”

“Illegal logging (in central Mexico) eliminates the insulation that helps protect the butterflies from lethal winter storms”

“Widespread herbicide use helps destroy milkweed, the only plant monarch caterpillars will feed on”


“Daddy? So what if they vanish? Can’t we just cut out paper butterflies at school?”

“Sure you can, Sweetheart.”

But only if Appally can survive the degraded water, land and air quality.

How are you and the kids doing so far?

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