Globalization, the Bees, and Me

Its no secret that the agricultural industry in the United States is a major part of our
economies input and output. We can attribute much of this success to pollination, and we can
thank the bees for that. Bees are responsible for nearly 80% of pollination to 100+ crops
(Newsome, 2009). The extinction of bees has been on the rise due to multiple factors, the decline
of this species has serious side effects for not just agriculture, but also the economy and global
citizens.
The Problem: What We Know
The disappearance of bees, and decline in colonies can be attributed to pesticides,
parasites, industrial agriculture, and even climate change. Its important to understand the
repercussions allocated with this species of pollinators demise. Most importantly we should
understand the quantity of food that actually relies on pollination from bees, for example To
raise awareness of just how crucial pollinators are to our food system, the University Heights
Whole Foods Market store temporarily removed all produce that comes from plants dependent
on pollinators. They pulled from shelves 237 of 453 products 52 percent of the department's
normal product mix. (DeCandia, 2013, para 2). As consumers we are so accustomed to having
produce and product available that sometimes we forget the source. Without bees nearly onethird of our grocery products would be unavailable to consumers. This is also one aspect
important to the survival of the species, knowing that industrial agriculture and those using
pesticides are also responsible for the decline of bees. While pesticides are used to ward of
insects and other intrusive plant life, its also proven to have physiological effects on pollinators,
cause growth and maturity issues, alter feeding behaviors, cause migration changes, and death
which all results in lower biodiversity in plants and less food production. One pesticide in

particular called neonicotinoid, can actually be responsible for killing off an entire colony as
opposed to just the effected individual insect (Tirado, Simon & Johnston, 2013).
It is proven that crops produce higher return when visited by bees, without bees
pollination crops wouldnt survive. This is why the shift from industrial agriculture to ecological
farming is better, not just for the environment and its inhabitants, but this also benefits local
farmers and can consistently aims to keep the bees alive and food production constant. Bees play
an essential role in our ecosystem, without them we wont survive; the devastating shift in our
economy and food production will plummet. Spivak (2015) reiterates the importance of our food
supply by stating, Of 100 crop species that provide 90% of our global food supply, 71 are beepollinated. The value of pollination of food crops by bees in the U.S. alone is estimated at $16
billion and insect pollinators in general contribute $29 billion to U.S. farm income (para 4).
Who and How This is Beeing Addressed
Studies have proven the need for bees, and studies have also proven the harmful effects
of pesticides on this species, and today nonprofit organizations, companies, farmers, individuals,
countries, and activists alike are all working to raise awareness, raise funds, and promote the
survival of bees. Throughout the world these organizations are working to empower citizens and
those who can make a difference and take a stand for the species. Europe has a Greenpeace
project called Save the Bees, Germany contributes to a bee fund called Save the Bees, Save the
Planet that works toward restoring and preserving global ecological balance, France has a
program called Urbanbees that dedicates its studies to urban and wild bees and biodiversity,
Brazil has a campaign dedicated to promoting awareness about the bee decline called Be or Not
to Be? Those are just some of the many global groups who support the bees, here in the United
States Burts Bees is a huge contributor for the cause. Their organization Burts Bees for the

Greater Good has donated over 300,000 dollars towards nonprofit organizations and $2 million
in grants for research, education, and conservation (Burts Bees, 2016). These companies and
their awareness campaigns can support and raise awareness for the bees. Through conservation
of natural habitats, planting bee friendly flowers, supporting ecological farming, banning
pesticides or abstaining from their use or supporting those who do, or by choosing to support
brands and companies who are bee friendly we can make a conscious effort to save the bees.
This is important for us locally and globally; supply and demand needs the bees.
Why this Matters to Me
As a consumer I understand the impact bees have on my daily life, as someone who
mostly abstains from meat, the crops and produce that benefit from pollination are apart of my
every day life, without them I wouldnt be as healthy and happy as I am now. I support
companies like Burts Bees who make donations in efforts to save the bees because I value
organizations and individuals who understand the importance of research and funding to save a
species that makes such a huge impact globally. In addition I support shopping local and the
establishments who carry local and ecologically farmed produce.
Artist turned Activists and Bee-Worthy Art
In addition to the buzz-worthy benefits of bees in agriculture and the economy, they also
have been buzzing through the art world; their presence in the contemporary art world is a part of
culture. Not all artists who focus on bees are activists however there are many who use their art
to communicate, represent, and speak for the bees, their environments, and their decline. Juan
William Chvez, Mike Bianco, and Jesse Etelson all exhibit work that deals with habitat and
environmental issues important to bees. Xavier Coratadas work focuses on wildlife and flowers
necessary for bees. Rob Hoffman who does not like to associate himself as a street artist, does

life size murals and paintings in city streets to draw attention to the necessity of bees, one of his
works exhibits life size bees with the message When we go, we are taking you with us! Sarah
Hatton draws her works attention to colony collapse disorders, and in a walk for awareness three
women Meesha Goldberg, Joanna Brook, and Kaylee Holz walk 100 miles through almond
orchards to draw attention to the bee crisis. These are just some of todays contemporary artists
and/or activists who are using their voices and work to create awareness to the decline and issues
relevant to the species. Their work has influenced me to explore areas and issues related to this
crisis in my own work.
References
Burts Bees. (2016). Outreach. Retrieved from
http://www.burtsbees.com/Outreach/sustain- community,default,pg.html
DeCandia, G. (2013). This is what your grocery store looks like without bees. Retrieved from
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-is-what-your-grocery-store-looks-likewithout-bees-211164141.html#prettyPhoto
Newsome, R. (2009). Silence of the bees. Impact of CCD on US agriculture. Retrieved from
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-is-what-your-grocery-store-looks-likewithout-bees-211164141.html#prettyPhoto
Tirado, R., Simon, G., & Johnston, P. (2013). Bees in decline. A review of factors that put
pollinators and agriculture at risk in Europe. Retrieved from http://sos-bees.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/04/BeesInDecline.pdf
Spivak, M. (2015). What will happen if the bees disappear? Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/17/opinion/spivak-loss-of-bees/