"Honey bees — wild and domestic — perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide. A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day. Grains are primarily pollinated by the wind, but fruits, nuts and vegetables are pollinated by bees. Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops — which supply about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition — are pollinated by bees." according to the GreenPeace website.
Bee colonies are collapsing on a worldwide scale and it is not really a mystery in understanding the causes. Biologists have found staggering amounts of chemical residue in bee pollen, over 150 different chemicals! When you combine this toxicity with habitat loss, it is a recipe of disaster. Many European countries have banned the use of harmful chemicals and GMO crops and are utilizing more bee-friendly practices. North America lags way behind in helping to save and preserve this amazzzzing insect.
We can help by planting bee-friendly flowers in our garden, (think native or heirloom varieties as the new hybrids and double flowers are often sterile and contain little to no pollen), and buying from and supporting our local apiaries and beekeepers.
Original is 7" x 11" coloured pencil on Strathmore artist paper and is available.