For the first time this year, a bee species in the United States was declared endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Due to parasites, pesticides, and habitat loss, bee colonies are collapsing around the world. Bees play a critical role by pollinating 35% of the world's food supply, so the fate of billions of dollars in global crops rides on their backs. As a reminder of the decreasing bee population, the popular cereal company, Cheerios, has pulled its mascot, "Buzz the Bee," off the box of Honey Nut Cheerios. In regards to their decision, the company said "Buzz is missing because there's something serious going on with the world's bees. Bee populations everywhere have been declining at an alarming rate, and that includes honeybees like Buzz."
Cheerios also launched a campaign called #BringBacktheBees, where they will send 100 million free packets of wildflower seeds to help replant and repopulate bee-friendly habitats. There, bees can collect pollen and nectar and feed their young. Bees have been losing their flower-rich homes in recent decades, so the company is encouraging people to plant the seeds and post pictures of their newly-bloomed flowers on social media.
Below, you will find a photo of the new Honey Nut Cheerios cereal box, noticeably missing their mascot.
Questions
1. What do you think are the biggest contributing factors to the decrease in bee population?
2. Do you think the Cheerios campaign will be successful? Why or why not? Would you participate in this campaign?
3. What are other ways to help increase the bee population?
My Opinion
I think that habitat loss and the use of dangerous chemicals are the biggest factors relating to the decrease in bee population. I believe and hope that the Cheerios campaign will be successful. It is a very unique approach, and I feel that many people, including myself, would participate. Other ways to help increase the bee population would include decreasing the use of harmful chemicals and trying to preserve nature to the best of our abilities!
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Replies
Super job Kara!
I think that pesticides on plants that bees pollinate play a big role on the population of bees and also the habitat loss of bees due different things like climate change are big factors of the decrease in bee population. I think that the Cheerios campaign will end up being successful because it can really help get the message out to the public. I would definitely participate in the campaign because bees are very important to the world. I think that other ways to increase the bee population could be making a nature reserve for bees to live in with lots of flowers room for hives in an area without predators would be a good way to preserve the bees.
You have great points! Pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change are definitely factors that have had negative influences on animal populations. I totally agree with you when you say that the Cheerios campaign will be successful. They definitely have an interesting and strong message and are able to influence many people.
I think that habitat loss plays a huge role in the decrease of the bee population. In the news for the past several years I have heard many times how bees are in trouble because of habitat loss. There is many other reason why there is a decrease in the bee population. I think that the Cheerios campaign will be successful because many people eat Cheerios. I think that people will help because if the honeybee population keeps decreasing then Honey Nut Cheerios won't be able to be made unless they use artificial honey. I think the best way to help the bee population is to quit killing them for one and help save there homes.
I agree with you! Habitat loss has been happening for a while, and we are just now starting to see the harmful effects of it. I also think that the Cheerios campaign will be successful, and you are completely correct when saying that many people eat Cheerios. For this reason, the Cheerios company will be able to influence many people.
I think the biggest problem is destruction of habitat. I doubt it will be too succesful but at least they do something.
I agree with you when you say that habitat destruction is a huge problem. I personally think that this campaign will be successful. What are your reasons for thinking this campaign won't be successful?
I believe climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides have caused a major decrease in the population of bees. The grasslands in which bees once thrived have now been transformed into cities and roads, leaving very small regions for the bees to live on. Personally, I absolutely love this campaign and would definitely participate. It’s such an extraordinary and creative way to address this issue. Farmers and other companies should be required to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which cause fatal effects on bees.
I completely agree with you! Climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides have all had deadly effects on not only bees, but other animals, as well. It's sad to think that humans have probably had some involvement in all three of those things. I also think this campaign is extremely creative. I think it will be very effective.
Obviously habitat loss, it is affecting all kinds of animal species all around the world. I think it will definitely help with the decreasing bee population, I would participate. Replant plants and trees, give back the bees' habitat.
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