Save the Bees

Some of you may have heard about Colony Collapse Disorder. For those of you that haven't, it is a devastating phenomenon that decimates bee populations. The causes are not fully understood, but most believe that the increased use in pesticides throughout the world is a major factor.

Why should you care? One word....Pollination. Bees are natures pollinators. They fly around pollinating at least 30% of our fruits and vegetables. As their population goes down so does the pollination rate. This in turn leads to lower yields on crops which leads to higher prices and less food security for poorer populations.

It has been estimated that it would takes trillions of dollars to research a way in which pollination can be recreated by science. Currently farmers pay around zero dollars to pollinate their fields. (Some do actually pay bee keepers to bring their bees to their farms for pollination, but that is another story.) I am speaking about small local growers. The ones that we should all be supporting right?

Slow Foods has started a petition targeting Steven P. Bradbury, Director EPA Office of Pesticide Programs. Bellow is the copy.

"As a consumer, I am concerned about the impact that a world without honeybees will have on our food system. Please make good on your commitment to urgently examine whether systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids are an underlying cause of colony collapse disorder, and act on the results to safeguard our food system,"

Please show your support by going HERE and signing the petition.