Bees (and Money) Disappearing

Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley recently published a study warning of the alarming reduction in honeybee populations around the world. The study found that California’s native bee population is disappearing as more and more land becomes inhospitable to bees, resulting in a reduction of plant diversity that negatively affects bees’ health. “A lack of nutritional diversity for the honeybees tends to weaken them,” says lead researcher Claire Kremen. “If you had nothing to eat but Big Macs all day and all night, you would get pretty ill.” And it’s costing the state millions: the study also found that California’s bee population contributes more than $1 billion to the state’s agricultural economy.