As our population continues to
explode and our food supply is compromised daily by pesticides,
fertilizers and GMO engineering, it is vitally important that we
recognize the plight of our pollinators, most specifically, our
honeybees.
In the last month globally, our
honeybee population has been virtually wiped out!
In May, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture released a report that found we have lost 31% of our bee
colonies this past winter
The Central Valley of California is a
focal point for most of the nations fruit production, the potential
for loss both nutritionally and financially, is apocalyptic!
Beekeepers in Montecito, Monterey
and Bakersfield, are all reporting losses this year. In fact the
Central Coast beekeepers released a report in April of a 15% increase
in deaths this winter from last.
In the face of this, tragically on
June 19, 2013, 37 million dead honeybees were found in Elmwood,
Ontario from 600 hives just after corn had been planted. The very
next day, 50,000 dead honeybees were found in an Oregon parking lot.
What did these stories have in common?
In Oregon, a state that has been
quite vigilant in keeping it's environment as pristine as possible,
the fact that 100 people showed up on Sunday June 30 for a memorial
service for the bees, speaks volumes. Commercial beekeepers in 22
states have reported the deaths of tens of thousands of honeybee
colonies. In the last year in total, we've lost 50% of our hives.
China is also experiencing the losses and as a result, are "hand
pollinating" their bees.
What is happening and what is the
"accelerant" that is bringing the issue to a head?
Biggest Threat:
While pesticides, fungicides,
herbicides, electromagnetic low frequencies from cell phones weakens their immune systems thus leaving them vulnerable to: mites,
the zombie fly (yes, that's what they call it), the gut parasite
known as "nosema", disease; add to that, vandalism (I was dismayed to
imagine people would purposely destroy bee hives for a quick "power
fix") and these are the predominate threats; the most aggressive and
insidious destroyer is a pesticide called "neonictinoid".
Produced by Syngenta, Monsanto's Swiss counter-part; specializing in,
you guessed it, seeds and pesticides. From a logical standpoint I
ask: "In whose reality does "seeds & pesticides"
make sense? Well, let's dig deeper.
In 2008, after much litigation
regarding the ownership of patent over "neonicotinoid"
insecticides, Monsanto and Syngenta (Syngenta had won an earlier
litigation in 2001 in which the U.S. Patent Court upheld an ownership
claim by Syngenta over Bayer for the rights to neonicotinoids) became
cognitive partners in the global ownership of our food supply and
it's organic "chain".
That chain is the "circle of
life" they sing about in that commercially popular "Lion
King", but this is the "real life" version that will
inevitably collapse the pollinators in addition to our own "hive"
as well. The collapse of the honeybee is a metaphor for that same
position "humanity" now finds itself in and we must pay
attention.
On Tuesday, March 27, 2013, after a
huge campaign ensued to petition him not to; Obama signed in H.R.933
rider; section 735 protects biotech companies and their GMO's from
regulation. In contrast, on April 29, 2013, on the heels of the
people's clarion calls; the European Union voted to put a 2 year ban
on neonicotinoids until further studies can be done, however it
doesn't take a study to put the dots together.
In each of the above-mentioned
tragedies, neonicotinoids was used on the agriculture/vegetation in
the immediate vicinity. Whether this is an immediate response or
cumulative effect, the fact remains, we are seeing a huge spike in
the unexplained deaths of our birds, fish, aquatic invertebrates and
other wildlife; that in fact, mirror the symptoms of the bees but are
also systemic of many of today's leading health problems in our human
populous.
What the bleep is it?
So let's start with what the
neonicotinoids do. Derived from nicotine, the pesticide is absorbed
by the plant and then expressed in the nectar. It is a "neuro-active"
meaning it targets the brain's mechanics. As it wears down the immune
system, it leaves the bees in poor health and a target for any
numbers of aggravates. This in turn gets passed onto the larvae
weakening them from birth as they are being genetically altered and
their lifespan decreased. Eventually, neonicotinoids cause paralysis
and death in those who ingest it and remember, these chemicals get
into the soil and the water systems as well, so this contamination
becomes well distributed throughout the food chain.
(I find it interesting that this also
mirrors the rise in our own neuro-based "dis-eases" like
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Asperger's, Autism, Morgellons and
Fibromyalgia.)
It all comes down to profits, as
Monsanto recently announced a 37% increase in sales.
Getting back on track; I want to
express deeply, why our honeybees are so vitally important...they
make Honey! Yes they pollinate and bee pollen is the most
concentrated and potent deliveries of what our honeybees offer. In
addition, scientists from Washington University School of Medicine in
St. Louis, Missouri have recently reported bee venom to contain
"melittin" which is said to exhibit anti-HIV effects.
Because the bee venom targets the outside layer of the HIV virus,
thus destroying the virus itself, there is little or no chance of a
"resistance" build up or in fact, ever developing at all.
Additionally, numerous studies have shown that: propolis, royal jelly
(considered to be the perfect food), bee pollen and raw honey may
also target HIV.
The ancient Chinese were the early
practitioners of "apitherapy" which utilized the medicinal
qualities of honey. Today, doctors and scientists are discovering
what shaman and holistic practitioners have known for centuries:
Honey Heals.
Facts about Honey:
Honey is considered one of the "5
elixirs of immortality" in the Hindu culture and holds a
significant place in symbolic expression, in most spiritual
representations.
Bee Pollen can be used as a "vocal"
energizer as it hydrates and dually, like Ginseng; it is an overall
energizer adding elasticity to our skin and muscles.
Minimizes scarring.
Enhances stamina.
It is complex and targets to balance
our overall biochemistry.
It never goes bad but will lose
nutritional value when heated over 99 degrees.
Primarily glucose, honey mostly
contains Vitamins B & C.
Contains electrolytes and exhibits
electrical conductivity.
Healing Aspects:
Honey is a hydrant
Antiseptic; anti-inflammatory;
anti-microbial
It's good for ophthalmic conditions
Accelerates wound healing
In a study of 104 patients with
first-degree burns, researchers in Maharashtra, India found that 91%
of the honey treated burns were infection free and after 15 days 87%
were healed.
Aids gastrointestinal issues but honey
is not good for infant's intestinal tracts.
Improves immune system.
Positive impact on heart disease.
Lowers C-reactive protein lessening the
impact on insulin and lipid levels.
Ulcers of all types benefit from honey.
Aids in the ill effects of radiation
and boosts antioxidants.
Ideally, raw honey offers the
highest of nutritional as well as medicinal value but as long as it
has not been highly processed and refined, you can't go wrong!
Bee an Advocate!
It is indeed, "an inconvenient
truth" but we must remember that we are the conservators of the
land that must be passed on for the generations to come.
We need to instill the understanding
that for every action there will be a reaction!
One place we can start is in our city
ordinances. I was surprised to learn that they're no laws protecting
bees. In the many cases of vandalism I read about, the bees are only
perceived as "property" in the case of beekeepers or seen
as a "nuisance" as in pest control, which is really quite a
statement about our value system.
Be advocates for all our
pollinators: butterflies, bats, dragonflies, hummingbirds, mice,
ants, beetles, wasps; they enable most of your favorite foods and
produce $40 billion worth of products annually.
So remember: Bee Kind
