Another Year of Disappearing Honey Bees
The 2008 calendar indicates that another spring has arrived in North America and the signs of the new season are everywhere. Buds have appeared on trees, heralding the arrival of new leaves. The increased daylight and the warming sun act as harbingers for the appearance of flowering plants that will soon begin their summer cycle of growth. Nurseries and home improvement stores; such as, Home Depot and Loews, are selling plants, rakes, shovels, mulch, and fertilizer.
Indeed, the familiar signs of spring are everywhere. However, once again this year, there is a real problem in nature which is tempering agricultural enthusiasm for the upcoming growing season. It is a problem that was first identified in 2006. The problem continues to be the disappearance of the honey bee. Once again there is little progress to report from research into this mystery surrounding the honey bee called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
CCD occurs when all adult bees disappear from the hive, leaving the honey and pollen behind. Few, if any, dead bees are found around the hive. Between 50 and 90% of the commercial honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the United States have been afflicted with CCD and the problem is making it difficult for U.S. commercial beekeepers to pollinate crops. About a quarter of beekeeping operations were affected by CCD during the 2006-2007 winter alone. It is estimated that up to 70% of honey bees in the United States have just disappeared due to Colony Collapse Disorder. The problem has continued during the winter of 2007-2008.
In addition to the ongoing problem of CCD, consider that news reports indicate significant regional problems with dying honey bees this spring in the United States. In Hawaii, a microscopic mite is devastating Oahu’s honey bee population and the long term affects could wipe out much of the island’s agriculture. Western Washington State has a developing agricultural crisis as bees are dying from a new pathogen called Nosema Ceranae. This fungus attacks the bee’s gut, making it impossible to process food and the bee eventually starves to death.
In general, the various problems with disappearing and dying honey bees are rapidly taking a toll on the entire United States beekeeping industry. It has been reported that the number of keepers who produce more than 6,000 pounds of honey annually has declined from 2,054 in 2005, (the year before keepers started experiencing colony collapse) to about 1,100 this year.
Internationally, a lack of a sufficient number of honey bees is responsible this spring for problems in blueberry pollination in Canada. The Fraser Valley produces about one-fifth of the world’s blueberries, but no longer has a sufficient number of honey bees to support its blueberry pollination, and honey bees are now being imported for pollination.
In England and Wales, proposals to protect honey bees have recently been announced by the government. However, bee keepers complain about a lack of research funding and the slow pace of governmental response since the number of honey bees continues in decline.
It is now estimated that nearly half of Italy’s 50 billion bee population died last year. That bee mortality rate will have a drastic effect on the country’s 25-million-euro honey industry (which could plummet by at least 50% in 2008) and wreak havoc on fruit crops. The worldwide bee epidemic has also hit France, Germany, Britain, Brazil, and Australia.
The increased cost of energy in food production and transportation has already led to a world food price inflation of 45 percent in the last nine months alone. There are serious worldwide shortages of rice, wheat, and corn. The rising cost of food has recently been responsible for deadly clashes in Egypt, Haiti, and several African states.
However, if the population of the honey bee continues to decline, worldwide events from higher prices and shortages of food will have only just begun. The pollination of the honey bee is crucial to agriculture and the world’s food supply. Without the honey bee, prices of vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, and dairy prices will all spiral much higher.
The disappearance of the honey bee poses a threat to eating premium ice cream as well. Haagen-Dazs, (owned by General Mills) said bees are responsible for 40% of its 60 flavors, such as strawberry, toasted pecan, and banana split. The company is launching a new flavor this spring called Vanilla Honey Bee to raise consumer awareness about the problem. Proceeds from the sale of the ice cream will be used to fund CCD research.
The ramifications to our diet and lifestyle are enormous, but government’s response to the developing food crisis has been limited and slow. The disappearing honey bee issue has not been discussed in any Presidential debate or in any campaign forum. In fact, both of our major political parties have been silent on the problem.
Hopefully, American politicians on the campaign trail in the 2008 United States presidential election like Haagen- Daz products. The truth is that Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream may be the only way to bring the candidates attention to a serious, developing, agricultural crisis. A world without sufficient honey bee pollination will create a food crisis of economic, national, and international ramifications. Indeed, it is another year without a solution to the problem of disappearing honey bees.
- James William Smith
Get Into Angelina Jolie’s Maternity Pants Only at Queen Bee Maternity Australia
Get Angelina’s celebrity maternity style only at Queen Bee Australia! While vacationing in Cannes, France, preparing for her summer twin delivery Angelina was spotted wearing our Juliet Dream shirred tank PLUS Seraphine London straight leg trousers…..
Juliet Dream Shirred Black Tank
Step out in effortless style – simple maternity tank in black by Juliet Dream. Thin shoulder straps with gathers at the neckline so the fabric drapes over your belly. Banded underbelly fit in a light cotton jersey fabric.
Designed by Seraphine London – Straight Leg Black Trousers
Design: Straight leg, with a low waist and discreet adjustable side stretch, no one would guess these are maternity trousers. They fit comfortably under the bump and have all the details of a regular pair of trousers like a front zip and back pockets.
Material: Made in light-weight, comfortable superb quality cotton stretch. Machine washable.
You said: “The Séraphine black maternity trousers are a perfect fit” – Nifa McLaughlin, Glamour magazine. “The most flattering pants I have ever worn”, QueenBee.
Celebrity spotting
This week we’re ‘celebrity spotting’ and we’ve got a whole range of items that have been worn or bought by your fave celebs! The new sex and the city flick premiere’s this week and we spotted good girl charlotte in this cute polka dot dress! Our maternity inspired version by Childish Clothing ™ comes in black or pink with white polka dots – a HOT price at only $76.95. Perfect worn over jeans or leggings!
We just have to mention the ever popular Seraphine Crochet Dress worn by actress Halle Berry. She looks stunning seen shopping in LA just 2 days before she gave birth. Great news is that we will be re-stocking this exact dress in all sizes mid June 08 so get in quick and snap one up before they sell out again! The empire line is ultra flattering to the bust and the dress hugs your bump whilst the skirt part is A-line and does not cling on your hips and thighs so you get a very slimming effect.
Angelina was seen buying these cute baby lovie mini security blankets for her children. Available in ‘fuzzy’ or ‘flannel polka dots’ trimmed with luxurious soft satin your baby will love holding the blankie when they sleep. I have one for my little 7 month old son Koby and it never leaves his side! The size is perfect for travelling and when you’re on the go, and the blanket and comes in handy for little milk spills – so your best to grab two when one is in the wash!!
The long sleeve hoodie by 1 in the Oven is now available (sorry about the wait!) and was worn by Jessica Alba. Great for this chilly weather it’s sure to keep you and your bump super cosy and comfy! Available in gorgeous winter colours – black, faded black, brown, baby blue and navy (coming soon!)
And last but not least are our BEST SELLING maternity henley’s by 1 in the Oven. Famous model Heidi Klum was seen wearing her navy one shopping when pregnant late last year. Made of beautiful soft waffle weave cotton – many women rave about the comfy fit and buy at least 3 in their fave colours. I’m still wearing my maternity ones as they are so easy to breastfeed in and look great with a tank layered underneath.
Thanks for your patience last week whilst we were upgrading the backend of our site. The ‘frontend’ will be up soon and shopping with Queen Bee will be BIGGER and BETTER than ever…..!
Have a wonderful week,
love queen bee
xxx
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www.QueenBee.com.au – the hottest place to shop maternity!
- Queen Bee
John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson – Beekeeping (Legendado)
John Cleese, mais conhecido pelo grupo Monty Python, e Rowan Atkinson, mais conhecido por seu personagem Mr. Bean, apresentam ao vivo, em 1981, o sketch “Beekeeping”. Legendado em português. *** John Cleese, most known for Monty Python, and Rowan Atkinson, most known for his character Mr. Bean, show the sketch “Beekeeping”, recorded live in 1981. Subtitles in portuguese.
- marlonrn
Beginning Beekeeping : Fall Feeding – Varroa Mite Treatment
This is our first year raising honeybees in our new beehives, and i wanted to make beekeeping videos to show you all that you too can raise bees. We are not the experts here, but one learns by doing. So we do things, make videos. Gardenfork.tv Distributed by Tubemogul.
- erochow