Sunday, May 12, 2013

Interesting article in the Startribune

Here is an interesting article about the disappearance of honeybees.   It is hard not to be fascinated by the bees and all that they do.  Even if you can't stand bugs and feel that the honeybee is just another bug, it is hard to argue their worth to society.  They pollinate much of our food and help keep our ecosystem in balance.  If you have read Zander's blog you can probably tell that he is passionate about insects and wants to do his part to help ensure the honeybees don't disappear completely.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released a study about what they think is leading to the significant decline in honeybees.  That study states that there are multiple reasons for the decline and oh by the way pesticides are way down the list.  I can't help but disagree.  The food system in the U.S. has some significant problems.  It is tremendously productive but it is not sustainable.  If you travel to any rural area of the country you will find very little diversity in crops.  Lots and lots of "monoculture".  Corn as far as the eye can see.  All the seed for that corn produced by one or two companies.  Finding corn seed that isn't covered in neonicotinoids is nearly impossible.  Unlike traditional pesticides, these fine chemicals stay in the plants throughout the life of the plant.  Great for keeping pests away but bad in the long run you you and I.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/206997751.html

Please give it a read...

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