Mobile Phones Killing Bees?
Ever heard of “Colony Collapse Disorder”? Neither had I. At least not until I read this article in The Independent. The disorder affects bee populations and it refers to the unexplained phenomenon (cue X-Files theme) that occurs when the denizens of a bee hive suddenly disappear. Remember the mysterious dissapearance of the Anasazi? Of entire Mayan cities? Huge populations simply vanished, leaving their homes to never return. Now, it could be that space aliens are responsible, zapping both ancient humans and modern bees, but there now exists a new theory to help explain why bee populations have declined by as much as 80% - one which posits that mobile phone use is responsible, at least in part, for the huge drop in honeybee populations. While a portion of the decline can be attributed to pesticides and mites (namely the Varroa Vampire mite), it seems that cell phone signals are screwing with the wee bees’ built-in navigation systems. From the article:
They (scientists) are putting forward the theory that radiation given off by mobile phones and other hi-tech gadgets is a possible answer to one of the more bizarre mysteries ever to happen in the natural world - the abrupt disappearance of the bees that pollinate crops. Late last week, some bee-keepers claimed that the phenomenon - which started in the US, then spread to continental Europe - was beginning to hit Britain as well.
The theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees’ navigation systems, preventing the famously homeloving species from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now evidence to back this up.
Now, y’all understand that bees are, like, totally responsible for, like, our FOOD, right? In fact, bees pollinate 30% of the U.S. food supply - a huge percentage. You can see why it’s important to figure out what’s happening to our bees. While we test our devices to ensure they don’t harm humans (jury is still out on mobile phones and people, however, especially children), we aren’t as concerned with what our technology does to our co-inhabitants. Case in point: All the whale beaching caused by U.S. military high-powered sonar — another example of our wireless tech interfering with non-human navigation/communication. Such myopia could very well be harmful to humans after all. Messing with the food supply is a very grave mistake. We humans are rather dependent on the mighty bumblebee.
So, what to do? What if we can prove without a doubt that our cellular tech is destroying bee populations? Do you think we’ll stop using cell phones? Or will we allow the bees to die off? Ah, I can hear some of you saying, “We’ll simply adjust the frequencies of our transmissions.” Easier said than done, mate. Seriously, which action will we, as a civilization, take? How you answer this sheds a whole lot of light on whether or not we’re going to extricate ourselves from the looming environmental disasters.
Song of the day time! Death by Chocolate gives us “The Is Bumble Bee”. You know it, right? [audio:bee.mp3]
[tags]bees, mobile-phones, death-by-chocolate, colony-collapse-disorder, honeybees[/tags]
Tags: animal welfare, environment, news
I think it was Einstein who calculated that food supplies would collapse within four years of bees disappearing…
I’ve also heard a theory put forward about UV A and B being at much higher levels in the past two years, which causes disturbances with the bees vision - leading them to starve for lack of ability to find the pollen.
That is probably the most disturbing, when bee-keepers open up a hive to find all the bees inside have died over winter…
Thanks Tod!
Hey Larry - interesting thought on UV A and B. If you find any links, let me know. I struck out in my admittedly short bout with google. Between UV rays, mites, cell phones, insecticides. ..the bees are in for it, it seems.
Well, I say as long as it keeps those killer bees from attacking the good ol’ US of A, then I’m all for it.
They are still coming here, right?
Oh, they’re here. . .why do you think the powers that be have recruited Darth Vader??
This is a great information. You can get more interesting info that medical physicians around the world are saying about the effects of cell phones and electromagnetic frequencies.For more information http://www.harmonicplanet.com
Actually, the more I think about this study, the more it bothers me. I can understand bees being effected by EMF around powerlines; I mean those buggers are spitting out massive amounts of it. But EMF is also a result of the amount of current passing though them (3 watts for cell phones vs 1000 watts for powerlines). Cell phones, on the other hand, emit very little EMF, unless you are sticking it right next to you (bad for us).
Their experiment with placing a cell phone next to a hive seems very simplistic. I mean, would there need to be a phone by every hive in order for this to work?
Now, the actual frequencies used to transmit the data from the phone to the tower, that’s another story.
I just read what I posted and I’m a moron.
They are talking about the frequencies. It’s been a long week.
Yeah, I used the term theory very cautiously… Who knows, the guy’s been right about other stuff.
If I had to guess, it would be combinations of all of the above…
Kirk - If I had to go back and delete posts/statements for every time I misfired, this blog would be empty. So much of what I say is half-cocked, but then I’m not writing for a journal. The beauty of the blog - one just spews and occasionally something decent emerges. Regarding cellphone dangers, there’s a whole mess of technology that ends up beaming waves over the surface of the earth (let’s not get into Tesla/HAARP tech here) and I’m far from educated on the subject. . .yet . . . yet. . .the sonar effect on whales is well-documented so a similar situation with bees wouldn’t surprise me.
Ok, coming late to this party (again), but I had a great conversation with an entomologist yesterday that BLEW my mind, and really helped me to understand some aspects better…
Here is an article that the person participated in, and it is a pretty good read:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0404/p13s01-sten.html
The research is based on two German guys experiment, putting the phone into a hive to gauge the reaction. So, whilst important as an indication of one aspect of the complicated potential impact of our technologies on another species - it completely overlooked the basic problem of the situation.
If anyone is interested here are the main points gleaned from my conversation:
The problem is with Honey bees - and only honey bees at the minute.
US agriculture is heavily reliant on honey bees (specifically) - as the hives can be shut for periods of time allowing for heavy pesticide usage to happen.
The colony collapse has a huge impact on the process of our agriculture farming, but will inevitably force the process to change to a system which will be less dependent on pesticides, more agricultural diversity and space, etc.
Lastly, the colony collpase isn’t a new problem, instead a problem which has been building for some time and is now reaching a critical point… Mites, diet, and movement of the honey bees are all part of the issue.
Sorry for the late submission, just thought people would be interested…
larryO
Hello, my class is doing a research project to learn more about the Colony Collapse Disorder. We are supposed to contact a proffesional on this subject. we have gathered information on this topic and want to know more about why cell phones are having a big impact on this problem. We also wanted to know more about how the bees effect the food chain. thanks for your time
According to Elizabeth Kolbert, who writes scientific articles for the New Yorker, cellphones aren’t killing bees. It’s the “inbee” (similar to inhuman)conditions that are imposed on honeybees as they are treated like a commodity as they are shipping all around the country, from orchard to orchard, in tiny, packed containers. Stress plus unsanitary conditions due to croweded living conditions is creating bee colony collapse.
Cellphones may be causing brain tumors in humans, according to Dr. Devra Davis if they are used consistently for ten years or more. Warning: Don’t let your kid have a cellphone.
Way to invoke Kolbert! I very highly recommend her book, “Field Notes from a Catastrophe” as one of the great books on the environment. As in, far more insightful than anything Gore has published … and far more soulful.
Parents who let their youngsters use cellular phones ought to be jailed. You hear that, N? Heh.