Scientists have developed a new method for calculating applied toxicity (TAT), which measures the annual environmental risk of pesticides in countries' agricultural systems based on the amount of active substances and their toxicity.[1][5] This metric allows for a more accurate assessment of global threats to biodiversity.[1] The study analyzed trends in the use of more than 600 pesticides for eight groups of organisms and found a significant increase in TAT during the period under review.[1][5] The increase is caused by higher amounts of applied pesticides due to the expansion of agricultural land and intensive farming, as well as the increasing toxicity of active substances, especially insecticides.[1] The most significant increases in TAT were observed in insects on land, soil organisms and fish, while the decrease was only in aquatic plants and terrestrial vertebrates.[1] There were positive trends in aquatic invertebrates, pollinating insects and terrestrial plants.[1] All major groups of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) contributed to the increase, with about 20 active substances determining impacts on different groups of animals and plants.[1][5] Current trends are at odds with the UN's goal of reducing pesticide risk by 50% by 2030, which requires immediate coordinated action in most countries, switching to less toxic substances and expanding organic farming.[1][5]