Of the 100 crops that account for 90% of the food eaten by people; 71% are pollinated by bees…So notes the NY Times in its recent article on beekeepers. But, as I have noted before, bees are having a very hard time of it lately…and as noted before, many are dying each year. Indeed, the article notes that 44% died as of April 2016 compared to 17% on a bad year in the past.

What does that mean? Well, besides the cost of food rising, it means that something is killing the very creatures that our food supply relies upon. And more importantly, no one really knows why this is happening.

There is strong evidence that pesticides are the culprit, but other causes are also possible.

Now, let me say that the thrust of this article is that the largest beekeepers have a good deal of work to help them financially. However, it is not always about the money (the President’s personal views notwithstanding).

We need to carefully examine the issues around bee death.

More importantly, each of us should do something that helps bees do well. That means that we can improve our own backyards to enhance bee habitat. Look into this if you will and do your small part.

Read the full article:
A Bee Mogul Confronts the Crisis in His Field
Limited free access; NY Times subscription may be required.