Were you aware that California produces 99 percent of artichokes, 99 percent of walnuts, 97 percent of kiwis, 97 percent of plums, 95 percent of celery, 95 percent of garlic, 89 percent of cauliflower, 71 percent of spinach, 90 percent of broccoli and 69 percent of carrots?
This huge amount of produce wouldn't be possible without bees, who pollinate fruit and vegetables that we eat, and the diet that we feed cows, pigs, etc., which we often eat as well. This makes it alarming that beekeepers are reporting a loss of 30% of all honeybee colonies each winter. This is considered twice the loss that is economically tolerable.
There are multiple reasons behind this, including habitat loss, global warming, parasites, and overuse of insecticides by the name of neonicotinids. When the insecticide is absorbed by the plant, it works its way into the pollen and nectar of the plant, which is obviously harmful.
If the farmers of California were to spend more money on higher-quality insecticides to protect the pollen and nectar of their plants from intoxication, they would have to raise the prices of their crops to keep up their profit. Since California, as you stated, is such an essential producer of so many crops, this "small' change could affect the economy drastically. There really is no easy solution to this issue, as each answer has it's own drawbacks, and doing nothing will ultimately lead to the eradication of the crops and produce we hope to keep cheap.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to me how so many crops are grown under California sun. The first question I have is where the other percents of the crops are grown. You probably don't know, but that would be something cool to find out. Also, what is the next step that can be taken to help keep the bees alive?
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see how much crops are grown in California and much bees effect it. I wonder if there are no bees left, does that mean there would be no more crops?
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting to see how a simple chemical can affect so much. I also find it strange how so many large companies are trying to persuade the government not to ban neonics when it is clearly what is causing so many of their bees to die. Apparently neonics are cheaper than higher quality chemicals, but replacing the dying bees would also be very costly so it would be a large loop. I wonder when/if the government is going to step in and put their foot down as to weather neonics are going to be allowed or not.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised with the huge impact bees had on our country. If the bee population dramatically decreases where would we get the things bees produce? Would be have to buy things from other countries, and how would this effect our economy?
ReplyDeleteSomething that I never realized and that I found interesting. was how important bees are for us. We rely on them to help our food supply and i didn't even know it... Its astonishing that there are not many strict guidelines for agrochemical companies regarding this issue.A question I have is do the large agrochemical companies realize how much of an effect this has on everyone/everything?
ReplyDeleteSomething I found interesting was how large a percentage of the world's agricultural products come from California. This caused me to wonder what would happen to the prices of foods if bee populations died out any more. Would food prices go up? Would the impact be felt around the world?
ReplyDeleteSomething I found interesting was how large a percentage of the world's agricultural products come from California. This caused me to wonder what would happen to the prices of foods if bee populations died out any more. Would food prices go up? Would the impact be felt around the world?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that such a large percentage of these crops come from California. I never realized how truly important bees are to our society. Its really interesting that bees do so much for our crops to grow. I never really appreciated what bees do for us. I wonder what we can do to protect the bees.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how so much of everyday food products come from California. This article was very informative because it made me realize how important the bees are to our food system. I learned that some companies stopped spraying plants with chemicals but is any other research or solution being held to save the bees, so that there are enough bees for the foods to be grown?
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how so much of everyday food products come from California. This article was very informative because it made me realize how important the bees are to our food system. I learned that some companies stopped spraying plants with chemicals but is any other research or solution being held to save the bees, so that there are enough bees for the foods to be grown?
ReplyDelete