|
It's never been so
important to support your local beekeepers as now. A new
syndrome called Colony Collapse Disorder, in which the bees
simply disappear, has wiped out about 70% of commercial hives
this year (2006-2007) and threatens the very foundations of our
economy and society: the food chain.
Experts have not
concluded the cause, but it seems likely there's a constellation
of factors including the poisoned environment, stress from
transportation, medication, sugar-feeding, and possibly EMF and
radio frequency pollution.
The greatest
effect has been on the large, migratory colonies that are
deployed to pollinate the conventional fruit, nut and vegetable
crops. These bees get the worst of it: the poisons, the
medication, the new locations, the unnatural food, etc.
The good news is
that the bees of the smaller keepers who don't move them, who
don't medicate, who allow them to eat their own honey instead of
high-fructose corn syrup, who keep them in accordance with
traditional practices - they seem to be doing fine.
What can we do?
Buy only organic
food - thereby supporting those who do not pollute and poison
the earth, the bees, and us.
Do not use
pesticides or herbicides in our gardens, on our lawns, in our
homes, etc. Not only do they kill bees and other
"beneficial" creatures, but they increase the toxic load on the
environment that has, eventually, an effect on us.
Reduce our use
of cell phones and other radio frequency devices (which are
demonstrably bad for our health directly, as well as
indirectly).
And again,
support our local beekeepers. Buy their raw honey and
other products.
Better yet,
become a beekeeper yourself.
|
