The Disappearing Bees: What it Means for Our Food Supply

Eighty percent of our world crop plants require pollination, which is furnished by pollinators such as honeybees, bumble bees, butterflies, birds, beetles and bats.  One third of the foods we eat are pollinated by vitally important honeybees, which, due to a condition called Colony Collapse Disorder, are in a mysterious decline. 

Scientists all over the world are studying the possible causes of this disorder.  A virus, mites and pesticides are suspected.  For example, in Britain, honeybees are going extinct.  German government researches have concluded a bestselling Bayer Crop pesticide is responsible for the die-off of honeybees in the Bachen-Wurttemberg region.  Researchers have determined that bees are losing their sense of navigation  (when the bees disappear from the hives, no trace of them is found; they just don’t return).  Some scientists have traced the decline to a breakdown in the bees’ immune system, perhaps due to pesticides.  Still others believe the bees are undernourished and overworked – professional beekeepers send thousands of bees to monoculture fields to pollinate the plants.  Air pollution may also affect pollination because it destroys floral aromas and pollinators may be struggling to find pollen sources.

The result of this decline in honeybees (and other pollinators) will mean higher prices, less quality and less variety of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy eating.  Here are some ways we can help:

• Informing ourselves about this important issue and making sure our government representatives also are aware
• Planting bee-friendly gardens
• Refusing to use pesticides on our gardens and our lawns (bees like dandelions!)
• Purchasing organic foods and supporting organic gardens
• Supporting local beekeepers and/or becoming beekeepers in our own yards

Bees are the “censors” of the environment.   By saving bees, we save a lot more than bees!  For more information, go to www.burtsbees.com, or on YouTube, view the video “The Disappearing Honeybees: Beekeepers on What’s Happening”.   

 

“Bee” passionate!

 ~ Marliss Rogers