Environmental awareness and sustainability became part of open conversation back in the early 1960s following concerns about the effects post industrial revolution developments were having on our environment, on public health and wellbeing, and it's links to the environment and its conservation. There was a shift of focus on the countryside recognising that it's value was not only in its amenity but that it was inextricably linked to human health and wellbeing, and that the countryside itself was also in poor health. Environmental and outdoor education soon became part of the school curriculum although sadly only as an option, which one day we will see was probably a critical error. Years of commitment by Government, Local Authorities, Planning laws, Environmental Initiatives and Education Departments followed, along with the many publications and reports reminding us just how serious an issue this was and is. Yet the situation we are in now more than 60 years later is testimony to the fact that despite all the foregoing, how little has been achieved, and the speed of decline has increased.
Think globally, act locally! That was the war cry back in 1971, it made sense then and it still does today but as quickly as it appeared it disappeared, along with all the other great environmental initiatives, into the mists of time. The balance of the resources that were put into these did not match the outcomes they were intended to achieve. The level of commitment required to achieve the desired results never materialised simply because the responsibility for restorative action was diverted away from those responsible for creating the problem to those who had the least ability and lacked the resources required to make the necessary long lasting changes. Instead of halting the environmental decline and restoring the damage, the rate of decline has simply increased. Depressing it is, but 'Acting Locally' we are perfectly able to do.
Pollinators species, including our native honeybees are great indicators of how well the natural environment is doing. The stark reality is that they are not doing well at all, in fact the UK currently leads the world in species loss with more than 40% of its native species now gone. Pollinators are now at the top of the concern list, disappearing at an alarming rate and as we know, they are critical to plant health, food production, and the all important biodiversity. Our native honeybees are amongst those and as beekeepers we have the opportunity and duty to take a close look at them, their purpose and place in nature, how they interact with their environment and with other species, their health and chances of prosperity, and just how we manage them around the country. With that in mind we should also be reviewing our beekeeping practices, there is some great practice out there but there is also a lot that doesn't hit the mark never mind being environmentally aware or sustainable.
There are discussions to be had about beekeeping environmental awareness and sustainability, conversations that are not yet taking place. Talk of changes in our approach to beekeeping that must be made and that will likely be challenging for many. Apichat has been added to My Beekeeping Kit to provide an opportunity for those exchanges, views, opinions, ideas, sharing best practice, asking questions, or just chewing the fat. All are welcome, beekeepers, non-beekeepers, experienced and inexperienced alike.
Iain D
