Plight of the Bees
Bees and their honey have been revered by many human cultures for centuries. Unfortunately, honey bees, organisms with significant roles in today’s agriculture, have been randomly disappearing from their hives and dying in massive numbers because of what is being called colony collapse disorder. However, many people remain oblivious and unnoticed to the threat of the disappearing honey bees. In order for the generations of today to wake up and realize the honey bees’ crucial situation, it might take an event as drastic as major nationwide shortages of the almond crop, which play a much larger role in the modern world than many believe.
As most commonly known, almonds have culinary and cosmetic benefits. In the culinary world, almonds are popular in desserts and sweets, pastries, salads, trail mix, and much more. Almond products such as sweet almond oil, almond extract, almond flour, and almond milk are commonly used and found in the modern day. Unsurprisingly, almond and almond products are often used in cosmetic products such as creams and lotions. Almond oil and milk can be used in moisturizing or cleansing creams, scrubs, or oils.
Although some may argue that a nationwide shortage of a different honey bee related item, like honey, might be a wake up call of a larger scale, I believe that almonds are a product with much greater value in today’s society. Almonds have held significance in many human societies and religions all throughout history, symbolic of important qualities and rewards. In the Bible, almonds were used as a symbol of God’s divine approval. In the Roman times, such nuts were treated as delicacies, as they were not common, and newlyweds would be showered with almonds to bring fertility. In addition, almond products are also used in medicine. Most commonly, almond oil is often used as a flavoring and in medicine. In certain folk remedies, almonds and their products are used as solutions to cancer, asthma, colds, coughs, and as part of certain diets.
Especially in California, the almond tree is a highly commercially valued nut plant. Almonds provide great economical support in the USA, being the largest national specialty crop export and the top agricultural export in California, two of the main imports being Spain and Italy. As well as large commercial export, almonds have been dubbed one of the world’s healthiest foods, eaten and desired by health-conscious people all over the world. Almonds have been scientifically proven to reduce cholesterol, risk of heart and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. The crop is a reliable source of antioxidants, omega-3 acids, protein, vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium. Heavily dependent on honey bees for pollination, California almond orchards require more than a million honey bee colonies to pollinate the crops at the beginning of the blooming period. This means that many bees must be supplied from beekeepers outside of California, as the honey bee populations of California beekeepers have been slowly decreasing.
Although extremely evident, most people remain unaware of the fact that honey bees are disappearing and perishing in massive numbers because of colony collapse disorder. In order for people to feel the need to make an effort to help this issue, I believe that a large nation-wide shortage of the almond crop, which is largely pollinated by the honey bee, must occur. Without the honey bee, the almond crop is doomed.
Works Cited
“Almond (Prunus dulcis).” Gernot Katzer’s Spice Pages. Gernot Katzer, 11 Sept. 2005. Web.
“History of Almonds.” Almond Board of California. Almond Board of California, n.d. Web. 1
“Pollination.” Almond Board of California. Almond Board of California, n.d. Web. 1 Dec.
“Prunus dulcis.” NewCROP. Purdue University, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.
Wangmann, Suzanne. “What almonds can do for your skin.” Body +Soul, n.d. Web. 1 Dec.
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