Press "Enter" to skip to content

Why Bumblebees Matter | Danielle Horne | TEDxBowdoinCollege


this is a bumblebee there are more than

this is a bumblebee there are more than 200 species of bumblebee in the world

200 species of bumblebee in the world

200 species of bumblebee in the world and more than 50 species of bumblebee

and more than 50 species of bumblebee

and more than 50 species of bumblebee native to North America a bumblebee

native to North America a bumblebee

native to North America a bumblebee colony lasts one year it is created in

colony lasts one year it is created in

colony lasts one year it is created in the spring when a bumblebee Queen enter

the spring when a bumblebee Queen enter

the spring when a bumblebee Queen enter hibernation and begins producing female

hibernation and begins producing female

hibernation and begins producing female workers at the peak of the season she

workers at the peak of the season she

workers at the peak of the season she stops producing workers and starts

stops producing workers and starts

stops producing workers and starts producing drones or male bees from

producing drones or male bees from

producing drones or male bees from unfertilized eggs while the female

unfertilized eggs while the female

unfertilized eggs while the female worker goes out and collects nectar and

worker goes out and collects nectar and

worker goes out and collects nectar and pollen to return to the hive the male

pollen to return to the hive the male

pollen to return to the hive the male worker simply eats as much as he can get

worker simply eats as much as he can get

worker simply eats as much as he can get away with before he’s kicked out to go

away with before he’s kicked out to go

away with before he’s kicked out to go search for Queens to mate with when a

search for Queens to mate with when a

search for Queens to mate with when a queen starts producing drones she stops

queen starts producing drones she stops

queen starts producing drones she stops producing workers this means that there

producing workers this means that there

producing workers this means that there are no longer workers to replace old

are no longer workers to replace old

are no longer workers to replace old workers as they die and eventually the

workers as they die and eventually the

workers as they die and eventually the whole colony will be dead except for the

whole colony will be dead except for the

whole colony will be dead except for the male bees and the new Queens the new

male bees and the new Queens the new

male bees and the new Queens the new Queens will spend the summer and the

Queens will spend the summer and the

Queens will spend the summer and the early fall mating with the male bees

early fall mating with the male bees

early fall mating with the male bees then they will hibernate during the

then they will hibernate during the

then they will hibernate during the winter and make their own colony in the

winter and make their own colony in the

winter and make their own colony in the spring honeybees or Western or European

spring honeybees or Western or European

spring honeybees or Western or European honey bees are the other kind of bees

honey bees are the other kind of bees

honey bees are the other kind of bees that humans have domesticated for use in

that humans have domesticated for use in

that humans have domesticated for use in pollination honey bees are not native to

pollination honey bees are not native to

pollination honey bees are not native to North America and because they are not

North America and because they are not

North America and because they are not adapted to many of the cold temperatures

adapted to many of the cold temperatures

adapted to many of the cold temperatures here they are not often found surviving

here they are not often found surviving

here they are not often found surviving in the wild honey bee colonies are much

in the wild honey bee colonies are much

in the wild honey bee colonies are much like bumble bee colonies and that there

like bumble bee colonies and that there

like bumble bee colonies and that there is a single female egg producing Queen

is a single female egg producing Queen

is a single female egg producing Queen female workers and male drones unlike a

female workers and male drones unlike a

female workers and male drones unlike a bumble bee colony however a honeybee

bumble bee colony however a honeybee

bumble bee colony however a honeybee hive can last for several years with the

hive can last for several years with the

hive can last for several years with the Queen and workers hibernating during

Queen and workers hibernating during

Queen and workers hibernating during winter this is why the workers must

winter this is why the workers must

winter this is why the workers must spend the summer in the spring creating

spend the summer in the spring creating

spend the summer in the spring creating honey so that during the winter when

honey so that during the winter when

honey so that during the winter when temperatures are too cold and there is

temperatures are too cold and there is

temperatures are too cold and there is no pollen or nectar readily available

no pollen or nectar readily available

no pollen or nectar readily available they will still have food to eat

they will still have food to eat

they will still have food to eat honey bee hive may still starve to death

honey bee hive may still starve to death

honey bee hive may still starve to death however if the temperatures are too cold

however if the temperatures are too cold

however if the temperatures are too cold for them to move from one section of the

for them to move from one section of the

for them to move from one section of the hive to a new section with more honey so

hive to a new section with more honey so

hive to a new section with more honey so sometimes the beekeeper must provide the

sometimes the beekeeper must provide the

sometimes the beekeeper must provide the hive with additional honey in order to

hive with additional honey in order to

hive with additional honey in order to prevent the bees from starving before

prevent the bees from starving before

prevent the bees from starving before spring arrives so now we know a little

spring arrives so now we know a little

spring arrives so now we know a little bit about bumble bees and honey bees but

bit about bumble bees and honey bees but

bit about bumble bees and honey bees but why does this matter well it matters

why does this matter well it matters

why does this matter well it matters because we care about pollination many

because we care about pollination many

because we care about pollination many plants require animal pollinators for

plants require animal pollinators for

plants require animal pollinators for pollination and bumble bees and bees

pollination and bumble bees and bees

pollination and bumble bees and bees in general are some of the most animal

in general are some of the most animal

in general are some of the most animal pollinators though there isn’t enough

pollinators though there isn’t enough

pollinators though there isn’t enough recent verified data to paint a really

recent verified data to paint a really

recent verified data to paint a really clear picture conservative estimates

clear picture conservative estimates

clear picture conservative estimates suggest that these contribute to the

suggest that these contribute to the

suggest that these contribute to the protection of one-third of the food we

protection of one-third of the food we

protection of one-third of the food we eat and honeybees alone

eat and honeybees alone

eat and honeybees alone contribute fourteen point six billion

contribute fourteen point six billion

contribute fourteen point six billion dollars worth of services to the

dollars worth of services to the

dollars worth of services to the agricultural industry each year this

agricultural industry each year this

agricultural industry each year this isn’t surprising when you consider that

isn’t surprising when you consider that

isn’t surprising when you consider that more than a thousand fruits and

more than a thousand fruits and

more than a thousand fruits and vegetables require bees for pollination

vegetables require bees for pollination

vegetables require bees for pollination apples beans berries cabbage garlic kale

apples beans berries cabbage garlic kale

apples beans berries cabbage garlic kale potatoes I could spend the rest of my

potatoes I could spend the rest of my

potatoes I could spend the rest of my talk just listing fruits and vegetables

talk just listing fruits and vegetables

talk just listing fruits and vegetables that we would not have if it weren’t for

that we would not have if it weren’t for

that we would not have if it weren’t for bees this technique is the only

bees this technique is the only

bees this technique is the only efficient way to pollinate plants like

efficient way to pollinate plants like

efficient way to pollinate plants like tomatoes eggplants and blueberries the

tomatoes eggplants and blueberries the

tomatoes eggplants and blueberries the bumble bee grabs the flower by the

bumble bee grabs the flower by the

bumble bee grabs the flower by the anthers decouples its flight muscles

anthers decouples its flight muscles

anthers decouples its flight muscles from the wings and uses them to shake

from the wings and uses them to shake

from the wings and uses them to shake the flower violently

the flower violently

the flower violently [Music]

[Music]

[Music] the only way to get the blossom to

the only way to get the blossom to

the only way to get the blossom to dislodge its pollen so this video just

dislodge its pollen so this video just

dislodge its pollen so this video just you just watched it about buzz

you just watched it about buzz

you just watched it about buzz pollination buzz pollination is one of

pollination buzz pollination is one of

pollination buzz pollination is one of the reasons why bumble bees are better

the reasons why bumble bees are better

the reasons why bumble bees are better pollinators and other types of bees

pollinators and other types of bees

pollinators and other types of bees like honeybees and solitary bees well

like honeybees and solitary bees well

like honeybees and solitary bees well honey bees are very important for

honey bees are very important for

honey bees are very important for pollinating our crops we need bumble

pollinating our crops we need bumble

pollinating our crops we need bumble bees not only for pollinating our crops

bees not only for pollinating our crops

bees not only for pollinating our crops but for pollinating our environment wild

but for pollinating our environment wild

but for pollinating our environment wild bees or bees that are not domesticated

bees or bees that are not domesticated

bees or bees that are not domesticated like honeybees are in North America

like honeybees are in North America

like honeybees are in North America bumble bees and solitary bees solitary

bumble bees and solitary bees solitary

bumble bees and solitary bees solitary bees don’t live in a colony like honey

bees don’t live in a colony like honey

bees don’t live in a colony like honey bees and bumblebees are why this is so

bees and bumblebees are why this is so

bees and bumblebees are why this is so important but while solitary bees are

important but while solitary bees are

important but while solitary bees are also important bumblebees are more

also important bumblebees are more

also important bumblebees are more numerous and the fact that they live in

numerous and the fact that they live in

numerous and the fact that they live in a colony makes them better pollinators

a colony makes them better pollinators

a colony makes them better pollinators so in addition to buzz pollination

so in addition to buzz pollination

so in addition to buzz pollination bumblebees are also just hairier as you

bumblebees are also just hairier as you

bumblebees are also just hairier as you can see in these photos which I took

can see in these photos which I took

can see in these photos which I took using scanning electron microscopy a

using scanning electron microscopy a

using scanning electron microscopy a method of photography that essentially

method of photography that essentially

method of photography that essentially involves firing an electron at an item

involves firing an electron at an item

involves firing an electron at an item to get a very detailed picture of it you

to get a very detailed picture of it you

to get a very detailed picture of it you can see that the bumble bee is covered

can see that the bumble bee is covered

can see that the bumble bee is covered in pollen all over its stinger on its

in pollen all over its stinger on its

in pollen all over its stinger on its hairs even on its wing the bumble bee

hairs even on its wing the bumble bee

hairs even on its wing the bumble bee because it is hairier just naturally can

because it is hairier just naturally can

because it is hairier just naturally can collect more pollen than other types of

collect more pollen than other types of

collect more pollen than other types of bees there’s also research that suggests

bees there’s also research that suggests

bees there’s also research that suggests that bumblebees are better at operating

that bumblebees are better at operating

that bumblebees are better at operating in greenhouses than honeybees this makes

in greenhouses than honeybees this makes

in greenhouses than honeybees this makes them better at pollinating crops like

them better at pollinating crops like

them better at pollinating crops like tomatoes because of buzz pollination

tomatoes because of buzz pollination

tomatoes because of buzz pollination they are also better at pollinating this

they are also better at pollinating this

they are also better at pollinating this crop red clover two summers ago when I

crop red clover two summers ago when I

crop red clover two summers ago when I did research at Oregon State University

did research at Oregon State University

did research at Oregon State University I visited this field of red clover and

I visited this field of red clover and

I visited this field of red clover and conducted a pollinator survey a

conducted a pollinator survey a

conducted a pollinator survey a pollinator survey is when you select a

pollinator survey is when you select a

pollinator survey is when you select a section of a crop to observe for a

section of a crop to observe for a

section of a crop to observe for a certain time period and you count all

certain time period and you count all

certain time period and you count all the bugs that visit and try and figure

the bugs that visit and try and figure

the bugs that visit and try and figure out what types they are the first time

out what types they are the first time

out what types they are the first time that I visited this field I saw that

that I visited this field I saw that

that I visited this field I saw that there was a honey bee hive that the

there was a honey bee hive that the

there was a honey bee hive that the farmers had placed about a dozen feet

farmers had placed about a dozen feet

farmers had placed about a dozen feet away from the section of crop that I was

away from the section of crop that I was

away from the section of crop that I was observing during my first period of

observing during my first period of

observing during my first period of observation I counted more than 70

observation I counted more than 70

observation I counted more than 70 bumblebees that had come from the nearby

bumblebees that had come from the nearby

bumblebees that had come from the nearby forests independently and on their own

forests independently and on their own

forests independently and on their own but I only counted 6 honeybees when I

but I only counted 6 honeybees when I

but I only counted 6 honeybees when I visited again a few weeks later the

visited again a few weeks later the

visited again a few weeks later the bloom was almost done so the farmers had

bloom was almost done so the farmers had

bloom was almost done so the farmers had moved the honeybee hi

moved the honeybee hi

moved the honeybee hi right next to the crop this time will I

right next to the crop this time will I

right next to the crop this time will I counted 20 bumble wild bumblebees

counted 20 bumble wild bumblebees

counted 20 bumble wild bumblebees visiting I didn’t count a single

visiting I didn’t count a single

visiting I didn’t count a single honeybee this is because bumblebees are

honeybee this is because bumblebees are

honeybee this is because bumblebees are much better at pollinating this type of

much better at pollinating this type of

much better at pollinating this type of flower and because of buzz pollination

flower and because of buzz pollination

flower and because of buzz pollination they have an advantage when it comes to

they have an advantage when it comes to

they have an advantage when it comes to collecting pollen that honeybees simply

collecting pollen that honeybees simply

collecting pollen that honeybees simply don’t have so it didn’t matter how close

don’t have so it didn’t matter how close

don’t have so it didn’t matter how close the farmers moved to honeybee hive to

the farmers moved to honeybee hive to

the farmers moved to honeybee hive to this crop the honeybees would prefer to

this crop the honeybees would prefer to

this crop the honeybees would prefer to go find a different flower and source of

go find a different flower and source of

go find a different flower and source of food elsewhere yet without lifting a

food elsewhere yet without lifting a

food elsewhere yet without lifting a finger

finger

finger the farmers benefited from the wild

the farmers benefited from the wild

the farmers benefited from the wild bumblebees that were in the area that

bumblebees that were in the area that

bumblebees that were in the area that came to pollinate the crop bumblebees

came to pollinate the crop bumblebees

came to pollinate the crop bumblebees are frequently overlooked because we

are frequently overlooked because we

are frequently overlooked because we don’t use them commercially as much as

don’t use them commercially as much as

don’t use them commercially as much as we do honeybees but we cannot afford to

we do honeybees but we cannot afford to

we do honeybees but we cannot afford to overlook the bumblebee just because of

overlook the bumblebee just because of

overlook the bumblebee just because of this bow movies are because of their

this bow movies are because of their

this bow movies are because of their buzz pollination because they’re so

buzz pollination because they’re so

buzz pollination because they’re so hairy and because they’re different

hairy and because they’re different

hairy and because they’re different foraging behavior they’re more efficient

foraging behavior they’re more efficient

foraging behavior they’re more efficient at pollinating certain crops and all

at pollinating certain crops and all

at pollinating certain crops and all animals and plants in the wild in North

animals and plants in the wild in North

animals and plants in the wild in North America depend on bumble bees for

America depend on bumble bees for

America depend on bumble bees for pollination in some form or another as I

pollination in some form or another as I

pollination in some form or another as I stated earlier there are more than 200

stated earlier there are more than 200

stated earlier there are more than 200 species of bumble bee in the world and

species of bumble bee in the world and

species of bumble bee in the world and more than 50 species of bumble bee

more than 50 species of bumble bee

more than 50 species of bumble bee native to North America but many of

native to North America but many of

native to North America but many of these species populations are declining

these species populations are declining

these species populations are declining the rusty patch bumble bee is the first

the rusty patch bumble bee is the first

the rusty patch bumble bee is the first being native to the continental US to be

being native to the continental US to be

being native to the continental US to be officially declared an endangered

officially declared an endangered

officially declared an endangered species it’s population has decreased by

species it’s population has decreased by

species it’s population has decreased by 95% and it’s range by almost half

95% and it’s range by almost half

95% and it’s range by almost half imagine if this were the case for all

imagine if this were the case for all

imagine if this were the case for all bumble bees and it very well could be

bumble bees and it very well could be

bumble bees and it very well could be because the factors causing rusty patch

because the factors causing rusty patch

because the factors causing rusty patch bumble bee populations to decline affect

bumble bee populations to decline affect

bumble bee populations to decline affect all bees so what are some of the factors

all bees so what are some of the factors

all bees so what are some of the factors causing bumble bee populations to

causing bumble bee populations to

causing bumble bee populations to decline today I’d like to discuss the

decline today I’d like to discuss the

decline today I’d like to discuss the two that I can best speak to agriculture

two that I can best speak to agriculture

two that I can best speak to agriculture and climate change in terms of

and climate change in terms of

and climate change in terms of agriculture there are two main factors

agriculture there are two main factors

agriculture there are two main factors affecting bumble bee populations

affecting bumble bee populations

affecting bumble bee populations pesticides or the use of insecticides

pesticides or the use of insecticides

pesticides or the use of insecticides meant to dissuade pests like aphids

meant to dissuade pests like aphids

meant to dissuade pests like aphids fruit flies dart and beetles and other

fruit flies dart and beetles and other

fruit flies dart and beetles and other insects from feeding on plants also

insects from feeding on plants also

insects from feeding on plants also negatively affect insect pollinators

negatively affect insect pollinators

negatively affect insect pollinators like bumblebees neonicotinoids a class

like bumblebees neonicotinoids a class

like bumblebees neonicotinoids a class of neuro active pesticide is one such

of neuro active pesticide is one such

of neuro active pesticide is one such pesticide that has been demonstrated to

pesticide that has been demonstrated to

pesticide that has been demonstrated to be particularly harmful to bumblebees in

be particularly harmful to bumblebees in

be particularly harmful to bumblebees in fact the year

fact the year

fact the year Union has banned most of this class of

Union has banned most of this class of

Union has banned most of this class of drugs for that very reason but the US

drugs for that very reason but the US

drugs for that very reason but the US has not the insufficient regulation of

has not the insufficient regulation of

has not the insufficient regulation of pesticides means that bumblebees are not

pesticides means that bumblebees are not

pesticides means that bumblebees are not free to land on or feed from the very

free to land on or feed from the very

free to land on or feed from the very flowers they’re supposed to pollinate

flowers they’re supposed to pollinate

flowers they’re supposed to pollinate monocropping

monocropping

monocropping the practice of growing only one crop

the practice of growing only one crop

the practice of growing only one crop four acres and acres is also harmful to

four acres and acres is also harmful to

four acres and acres is also harmful to bees take almonds for example California

bees take almonds for example California

bees take almonds for example California produces 82 percent of the world’s

produces 82 percent of the world’s

produces 82 percent of the world’s almonds and its closest competitor is

almonds and its closest competitor is

almonds and its closest competitor is the EU which only produces 6% so any

the EU which only produces 6% so any

the EU which only produces 6% so any almonds or products that you use that

almonds or products that you use that

almonds or products that you use that have almonds in them that you’ve

have almonds in them that you’ve

have almonds in them that you’ve consumed in the United States probably

consumed in the United States probably

consumed in the United States probably used almonds coming from California

used almonds coming from California

used almonds coming from California during almond season honey bees are

during almond season honey bees are

during almond season honey bees are transported from across the country even

transported from across the country even

transported from across the country even from Maine to go pollinate the blooms in

from Maine to go pollinate the blooms in

from Maine to go pollinate the blooms in California for a few short weeks

California for a few short weeks

California for a few short weeks millions of transported honey bees and

millions of transported honey bees and

millions of transported honey bees and wild bumble bees pollinate like crazy

wild bumble bees pollinate like crazy

wild bumble bees pollinate like crazy and their populations boom but then all

and their populations boom but then all

and their populations boom but then all at once all the all the almond bloom is

at once all the all the almond bloom is

at once all the all the almond bloom is done there’s not another plant in sight

done there’s not another plant in sight

done there’s not another plant in sight this isn’t such a big problem for the

this isn’t such a big problem for the

this isn’t such a big problem for the honey bees because the honey bee keepers

honey bees because the honey bee keepers

honey bees because the honey bee keepers will simply collect their honey bee

will simply collect their honey bee

will simply collect their honey bee hives and return them back across the

hives and return them back across the

hives and return them back across the country feeding them nectar and pollen

country feeding them nectar and pollen

country feeding them nectar and pollen as necessary along the way the bumble

as necessary along the way the bumble

as necessary along the way the bumble bees are left in a much worse situation

bees are left in a much worse situation

bees are left in a much worse situation without any source of food

without any source of food

without any source of food many of the bumble bee colonies will

many of the bumble bee colonies will

many of the bumble bee colonies will starve to death before they can produce

starve to death before they can produce

starve to death before they can produce male drones or new Queens for the next

male drones or new Queens for the next

male drones or new Queens for the next generation as consumers there are two

generation as consumers there are two

generation as consumers there are two things that we can do that are very

things that we can do that are very

things that we can do that are very simple to try and support sustainable

simple to try and support sustainable

simple to try and support sustainable agriculture and help bumble bee

agriculture and help bumble bee

agriculture and help bumble bee populations first buying natural and

populations first buying natural and

populations first buying natural and organic goods mean that you’re more

organic goods mean that you’re more

organic goods mean that you’re more likely to be using fewer pesticides and

likely to be using fewer pesticides and

likely to be using fewer pesticides and not the worst ones second supporting

not the worst ones second supporting

not the worst ones second supporting small and local farms even if it means

small and local farms even if it means

small and local farms even if it means not supporting or buying goods such as

not supporting or buying goods such as

not supporting or buying goods such as almonds means that you’re not supporting

almonds means that you’re not supporting

almonds means that you’re not supporting mono cropping the second factor that

mono cropping the second factor that

mono cropping the second factor that affects that negatively affects bumble

affects that negatively affects bumble

affects that negatively affects bumble bee populations is climate change rising

bee populations is climate change rising

bee populations is climate change rising temperature is caused by climate change

temperature is caused by climate change

temperature is caused by climate change mean that bumble bees are spending more

mean that bumble bees are spending more

mean that bumble bees are spending more time at the entrance of their hives

time at the entrance of their hives

time at the entrance of their hives Fanning it literally to keep the inside

Fanning it literally to keep the inside

Fanning it literally to keep the inside of the nest cool and less time out

of the nest cool and less time out

of the nest cool and less time out foraging for pollen and nectar that they

foraging for pollen and nectar that they

foraging for pollen and nectar that they need to eat so not only does climate

need to eat so not only does climate

need to eat so not only does climate change mean that bees are more likely of

change mean that bees are more likely of

change mean that bees are more likely of overheating and dying it means that

overheating and dying it means that

overheating and dying it means that they’re more likely to starve to death

they’re more likely to starve to death

they’re more likely to starve to death climate change can also cause a mismatch

climate change can also cause a mismatch

climate change can also cause a mismatch in seasons so flowers may bloom before

in seasons so flowers may bloom before

in seasons so flowers may bloom before these are active and out which means

these are active and out which means

these are active and out which means that fewer flowers are pollinated and

that fewer flowers are pollinated and

that fewer flowers are pollinated and bees don’t have enough time or resources

bees don’t have enough time or resources

bees don’t have enough time or resources to produce the drones or the new Queens

to produce the drones or the new Queens

to produce the drones or the new Queens that they need to for there to be a next

that they need to for there to be a next

that they need to for there to be a next generation flooding drought severe

generation flooding drought severe

generation flooding drought severe weather these can also impact nests and

weather these can also impact nests and

weather these can also impact nests and bumble bees are more threatened by these

bumble bees are more threatened by these

bumble bees are more threatened by these factors than other types of bees because

factors than other types of bees because

factors than other types of bees because the future of an entire colony depends

the future of an entire colony depends

the future of an entire colony depends on a single bumble bee Queens ability to

on a single bumble bee Queens ability to

on a single bumble bee Queens ability to safely forage and create her colony in

safely forage and create her colony in

safely forage and create her colony in the few early spring months climate

the few early spring months climate

the few early spring months climate change is a broad and complex issue not

change is a broad and complex issue not

change is a broad and complex issue not easily affected by the actions of

easily affected by the actions of

easily affected by the actions of individuals but by working to reduce our

individuals but by working to reduce our

individuals but by working to reduce our fossil fuel consumption and by

fossil fuel consumption and by

fossil fuel consumption and by supporting companies and legislature

supporting companies and legislature

supporting companies and legislature that also work to do this we can help to

that also work to do this we can help to

that also work to do this we can help to address climate change so up until now I

address climate change so up until now I

address climate change so up until now I focused on the plight of the bumble bees

focused on the plight of the bumble bees

focused on the plight of the bumble bees from a variety of perspectives we

from a variety of perspectives we

from a variety of perspectives we compared honeybees to bumble bees we

compared honeybees to bumble bees we

compared honeybees to bumble bees we considered pollination and we looked at

considered pollination and we looked at

considered pollination and we looked at two of the reasons why bumble bee

two of the reasons why bumble bee

two of the reasons why bumble bee populations are declining but let’s take

populations are declining but let’s take

populations are declining but let’s take a moment to look at the bigger picture

a moment to look at the bigger picture

a moment to look at the bigger picture who here has seen the bee movie well the

who here has seen the bee movie well the

who here has seen the bee movie well the bee movie is a great movie it’s not

bee movie is a great movie it’s not

bee movie is a great movie it’s not terribly realistic at the end of the

terribly realistic at the end of the

terribly realistic at the end of the movie the entire world has no plants and

movie the entire world has no plants and

movie the entire world has no plants and flowers because the bees have stopped

flowers because the bees have stopped

flowers because the bees have stopped pollinating but in a dramatic turn of

pollinating but in a dramatic turn of

pollinating but in a dramatic turn of events the bees unite pollinate the

events the bees unite pollinate the

events the bees unite pollinate the whole world and it certainly starts to

whole world and it certainly starts to

whole world and it certainly starts to look like spring in reality as bumble

look like spring in reality as bumble

look like spring in reality as bumble bee populations decline crop yields will

bee populations decline crop yields will

bee populations decline crop yields will decrease and ecosystem health will

decrease and ecosystem health will

decrease and ecosystem health will suffer I can certainly imagine that the

suffer I can certainly imagine that the

suffer I can certainly imagine that the world might begin to look bloom less as

world might begin to look bloom less as

world might begin to look bloom less as fewer flowers are pollinated each year

fewer flowers are pollinated each year

fewer flowers are pollinated each year leaving fewer flowers to bloom in the

leaving fewer flowers to bloom in the

leaving fewer flowers to bloom in the next you can say goodbye to foods like

next you can say goodbye to foods like

next you can say goodbye to foods like almonds and pumpkins that are pollinated

almonds and pumpkins that are pollinated

almonds and pumpkins that are pollinated entirely by bees and don’t expect to eat

entirely by bees and don’t expect to eat

entirely by bees and don’t expect to eat foods like avocados or blueberries very

foods like avocados or blueberries very

foods like avocados or blueberries very frequently either prices of produce will

frequently either prices of produce will

frequently either prices of produce will increase as we’re forced to turn to

increase as we’re forced to turn to

increase as we’re forced to turn to alternative methods of pollination in

alternative methods of pollination in

alternative methods of pollination in fact China has already started using

fact China has already started using

fact China has already started using hand pollination for their apple blooms

hand pollination for their apple blooms

hand pollination for their apple blooms as their bee populations are declining

as their bee populations are declining

as their bee populations are declining as well just think for a second about

as well just think for a second about

as well just think for a second about how much it costs to hire one human

how much it costs to hire one human

how much it costs to hire one human worker to do a less efficient job in

worker to do a less efficient job in

worker to do a less efficient job in comparison to what a bumble bee can do

comparison to what a bumble bee can do

comparison to what a bumble bee can do for free

well in the B movie the solution may

well in the B movie the solution may seem simple and really in reality it’s

seem simple and really in reality it’s

seem simple and really in reality it’s not and the solution is not going to

not and the solution is not going to

not and the solution is not going to come quickly either it takes a species a

come quickly either it takes a species a

come quickly either it takes a species a long time to recover even when the

long time to recover even when the

long time to recover even when the factors causing their demise have been

factors causing their demise have been

factors causing their demise have been rectified we’re looking at a long

rectified we’re looking at a long

rectified we’re looking at a long process to solve even the relatively

process to solve even the relatively

process to solve even the relatively simple issue of pesticide usage let

simple issue of pesticide usage let

simple issue of pesticide usage let alone the more complex issue of climate

alone the more complex issue of climate

alone the more complex issue of climate change

change

change bumblebees matter to all of us and it is

bumblebees matter to all of us and it is

bumblebees matter to all of us and it is up to all of us to pay attention and

up to all of us to pay attention and

up to all of us to pay attention and take action to save the bumblebees thank

take action to save the bumblebees thank

take action to save the bumblebees thank you

you

you [Applause]

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *