Are you fond of using honey bee products? Or, maybe you don’t even know your cosmetics contain beeswax. A lot of products are associated with honey bees. From candles to antiseptic solutions to food, there are a handful of items available that come from this insect. Can you imagine losing these products? What would you do if you lost them? Look for alternatives? Honey bee products are a lot less harmful in comparison to alternative highly processed items. In fact, some people use bee products such as honey for their skin, face and hair - because it is so natural. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is badly affecting the bee and many of “the bee family”. A great number of bees die due to the disorder.
There are different reasons we can pinpoint that cause CCD. One main reason connected to it is the continuing environmental issue. Do you want to make a change and help save these useful insects? Well then, there are simple initiatives we can start in our own little ways so that we can help prevent CCD. We might not be able to immediately stop the disorder; but at least, these efforts can lessen the number of bee deaths.
What should we do?
Be a Nature Lover
Okay, so you have a garden in your home. Do you take care of it? Of course our garden needs care. As we all know, insects like butterflies and bees benefit a lot from our garden. Bees are pollinators. They feed on pollen and nectar. If you neglect taking care of your garden, chances are the plants will just die leaving these poor insects with no more food. Therefore, you should check your garden every morning and water the plants.
Gather your friends and come up with a tree planting activity. Consult a local institution that can help you decide which area to carry out your tree planting program. Planting trees helps preserve the environment. And, better environment means a safe habitat for wildlife including insects.
Go for Green
Supporting green campaigns does not take a lot of effort. By simply using energy-efficient appliances in your home, you already have a simple green initiative. If you are planning to buy a house, opt for green homes - which are made from eco-friendly supplies. Helping save the environment must start at home. For instance, garbage disposal is a critical issue affecting the environment. That is why it is important to dispose of your waste properly. Recycle those things that are still usable. Plants can benefit from biodegradable wastes like food leftovers, so might as well compost them in your garden. Remember, climate change affects the environment, which eventually affects all living organisms.
Spread the Word
Do not just keep the prevention campaign to yourself. Go spread the word. Tell your friends about the initiatives to prevent further damaging the environment and to lower the number of bee deaths. Let your voice be heard across the planet. Put your thoughts into writing and have it published over the internet. Make an article or even a short essay detailing the simple ways we can do to avoid ruining the home of this insect. Or, you can create your own blog, which promotes saving these little pollinators. Through this, you can inform other people about this miserable situation and share some ideas on how to make change.
As of the moment, we may not directly feel the effects of colony collapse disorder. But if bee death continues to soar, eventually, it can generate negative effects on the food chain - affecting all of us.
The latest news is that some countries are demanding a moratorium on use of neonicotinoid pesticides. The EU has banned them near pollinated crops and other countries are acting in the same direction. As honey bees pollinate one third of all crops in the world, this action is justified. Half of a hive often die in one day when these chemicals are sprayed! It could easily lower their resistance to an awful parasite that is affecting most honey bees nowadays.
It's up to us. Spread the word and governments will act more quickly.