B.E.E. Heroes
What are root causes of the problem?
The root causes for this problem are still unknown. Many people believe that the causes are range from malnutrition, neonicotinoid pesticides, immunodeficiencies, mites, fungus, beekeeping practices such as using antibiotics, and electromagnetic radiation. Though there’s growing evidence that fungicides may be affecting the bees. It is likewise still uncertain whether CCD is a genuinely new phenomenon as opposed to a known phenomenon that previously only had a minor impact.
Is the problem occurring now? Why is it currently a problem?
This problem has never really stopped. Last year, U.S. beekeepers experienced an average of 30% overwinter bee loss. This is currently a problem, because it has never stopped being a problem. What we have found in our research is that mass bee die off has been happening for a long time. But no one seems to know what is causing it.
Will it be an issue in the future? In what ways?
If no one finds a way to stop CCD or find the cause of bee hive death, bees will continue to disappear at unacceptible rates. If we don’t have enough bees around, plants won’t be pollinated. It is estimated that one third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination. Another side affect would be the decrease or unavailabiity of honey, and products that contain honey.
Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jul/30/buzzfeeds-bees-colony-collapse-disorder