Guest columnist Laurel Hopwood is a volunteer with the Northeast Ohio Sierra Club and chair of its Agriculture Committee.
Years ago, while downsizing my massive files of environmental stories collected over the past decade, my eyes latched on to a piece that I couldn’t discard. It was about bees.
I get it. When some people hear the “bee” word, they shudder. No one wants to get stung.
But bees just want to do their work, collecting pollen or making honey. I wonder if people know that without this major pollinator, we may not have the huge assortment of foods served on our meal plates?
I had read studies about the use of a relatively new class of pesticides: neonicotinoids. I’ll use the shorter name “neonics,” because people have a heck of a time saying the word neonicotinoids. Neonics are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicotine.
Science links neonic exposure to the demise in honeybee populations. Years ago, I located a producer of documentaries who agreed to make a film on the subject. Kevin Hansen traveled around the world, interviewing beekeepers and scientists. I kept emailing Kevin — “Are you done yet?” Perhaps he got tired of my nagging, because “Nicotine Bees” was released in 2010. It’s available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nicotine-Bees-Kevin-Hansen/dp/B01GUOZ77A
[embedded content]
I also read a front-page story in the New York Times Magazine called “The Insect Apocalypse Is Here, What Does it Mean for the Rest of Life on Earth?” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/magazine/insect-apocalypse.html?module=inline Some people may feel relieved, because there’s less bug splatter on car windshields. I consider that a minor inconvenience.
The major inconvenience is bird populations dying off when they can’t find enough bugs to eat. The entire ecosystem is at risk.
I’m not one to sit still and complain. When I see an injustice, I stand strong and expose it. I found wonderful people doing fantastic things in Cleveland, who are moving the issue of ecojustice forward.
To celebrate Earth Day 2019, I will be introducing “Next Silent Spring?” sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Sierra Club. It’s free — everyone should have access to the facts.
The event will be held at the Cleveland Museum of Art Recital Hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28. The documentary “Nicotine Bees” will be shown, followed by a discussion with an expert panel.
Dr. Mary Gardiner, associate professor in The Ohio State University Department of Entomology, will discuss her project introducing pollinator pockets throughout vacant lots in Cleveland.
Tom Gibson, principal of Green Paradigm Partners, will explain how he uses his soil-building and community-organizing skills to help revive neighborhoods.
And Elle Adams, founder of City Rising Farm, will share her program, which helps people in underserved communities learn to grow food and to build long-lasting relationships in their neighborhoods.
When I see bees in my garden, I say to them: “Thank you for your work, bees. Can we share this place?” They keep buzzing — and I’ll keep doing what I can to protect their buzzing.
Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using Notification Settings (in blue) just below.
Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Ann Norman at [email protected]. Essays must include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting today’s topics are also welcome.
Let’s block ads! (Why?)
