Purple used to be my favorite color, but these days, it’s “green”. The green movement is sweeping the world and allowing all of us who take note to see the connectedness of all aspects of nature to each other. And that includes humans. Nature and all the abundance it provides is a result of a single living system…an energy that rejuvenates, renews, provides; but if not properly cared for, can also take away.  Such is the case with the honey bee.

One third of our food supply is dependent upon honey bee pollination. This includes over 100 crops and $15 billion in US agricultural revenue. More than 25% of the western honey bee population has disappeared over the past winters. CCD (colony collapse disorder) is said to be the reason and this phenomenon is not totally understood by science.

Honey bees have social order and behavior within their colonies just like humans. They have a work commute just like humans. Traveling 10 to 15 miles per hour they visit 50 to 100 flowers on each pollination trip. Each time you sweeten your coffee or tea with honey remember that a bees must visit 2 million flowers and travel 55,000 miles. When honey bees return from a pollination trip they communicate the richness of their find including directions to the source in the form of the dance. The more intense the dance, the richer the find.

Something or several things have upset the fragile balance that allows the honey bee to pollinate and produce honey. Some say the balance has been upset by climate, a virus, genetically modified plants or cell phone signals. There is still no concrete answer.

Thanks to Haagen-Dazs for brining the honey bee crisis to national attention. I saw their ad on either National Geographic or the Science Channel and was directed to their web site http://www.helpthehoneybees.com . Haagen Dazs flavors are dependent on bees for nearly 40% of their super premium flavors. Each time one of their customers purchases a bee dependent flavor, Haagen Dazs donates to science for CCD research. This link will help you find flavors and locations. If you don’t eat ice cream, get involved anyway. Make others aware of the honey bee crisis. Spread the word. Every action, large or small, will make a difference.  Bee articles.

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