by David Goldstein
As National Honeybee Day (August 17) and National Aviation Day (August 19) converge, there’s a lesson to be learned from bees that can apply to one of aviation’s major challenges: greenhouse gas emissions. Observing how some bee populations have stabilized while others remain at risk might offer insights into addressing environmental issues like carbon pollution from air travel.
These two seemingly unrelated topics intersect when purchasing a plane ticket. Many airlines offer an option to buy “carbon offsets,” allowing passengers to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions equivalent to those generated by their flight. If you’re considering this, or buying credits from companies like Terrapass, think of the bees.
Of the 4,000 species of bees in North America, one in four is at risk of extinction, according to the non-profit Bee Conservancy. However, honeybee populations have stabilized, largely due to efforts by the West Coast almond industry, which depends on honeybees for pollination. Washington State University apiary manager Professor Brandon Hopkins noted that almond farmers have been instrumental in supporting beekeepers, leading to the recovery of honeybee populations.
Rick Kushman, spokesperson for the Almond Board of California, explained the reciprocal relationship: “Bees are vital to the almond industry, and almond blossoms provide crucial nutrition to bees.” The almond industry, which shipped 2.7 billion pounds of almonds from California last year, has invested heavily in sustaining bee populations, working closely with beekeepers to offset environmental challenges.
In Ventura County, avocado farmers also rely on beekeepers, but it’s the almond industry that drives the majority of bee-related funding. As the growing season progresses, beekeepers transport hives across the state, following the bloom cycle.
While honeybee populations have been stabilized under human care, the future of other pollinators remains uncertain. Almond farms certified as “bee friendly” by the non-profit Pollinator Partnership, make up 86 percent of the total. These farms implement bee-friendly practices such as planting cover crops and utilizing the “BeeWhere” program, which alerts pesticide applicators of nearby hives.
The partial recovery of bee populations offers a model for addressing other environmental challenges: aligning economic incentives with environmental goals. In the case of air travel, purchasing carbon offsets helps fund projects that would otherwise be unfeasible, just as almond farmers’ reliance on bees spurred their investment in pollinator health.
However, motivation is key. Almond growers were driven by a clear economic threat—declining bee populations posed an immediate risk to their industry. In contrast, the impacts of climate change are more distant and less tangible, despite the relatively low cost of offsetting carbon emissions from a short flight. Meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Accords, for example, could cost up to $13.5 trillion, according to the United Nations International Energy Agency.
Perhaps the bees can remind us that environmental action, whether on a small or global scale, is both an obligation and an opportunity to make a difference.
David Goldstein is an Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency. He can be reached at (805) 658-4312 or [email protected].
How You Can Help Bees
The Bee Conservancy offers 10 tips to protect bee populations and biodiversity:
- Plant nectar-rich flowers in a variety of shapes, sizes, and bloom times.
- Avoid synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- Upload bee observations to their iNaturalist project (https://thebeeconservancy.org/citizen-community-science-for-bees/).
- Plant blossoming trees and trees suitable for nesting, such as maple, redbud, and black cherry.
- Create a shallow bee bath.
- Leave some ground bare for ground-nesting bees.
- Don’t trim hollow stems from trees in areas where tree-nesting bees reside.
- Educate others about the importance of bees.
- Support local beekeepers by purchasing honey and beeswax products.
- Donate to The Bee Conservancy to support their work.
