My personal thoughts about life with a disability and all other things I consider important in my life.

Friday, March 23, 2007

GM Plants Destroying Bees?

Excerpt:
As far back as 2005, Haefeker ended an article he contributed to the journal Der Kritischer Agrarbericht (Critical Agricultural Report) with an Albert Einstein quote: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

Mysterious events in recent months have suddenly made Einstein's apocalyptic vision seem all the more topical. For unknown reasons, bee populations throughout Germany are disappearing -- something that is so far only harming beekeepers. But the situation is different in the United States, where bees are dying in such dramatic numbers that the economic consequences could soon be dire. No one knows what is causing the bees to perish, but some experts believe that the large-scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor.

and

But that could soon change. Since last November, the US has seen a decline in bee populations so dramatic that it eclipses all previous incidences of mass mortality. Beekeepers on the east coast of the United States complain that they have lost more than 70 percent of their stock since late last year, while the west coast has seen a decline of up to 60 percent.

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3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Climate change" is coming wayyy faster than anyone thought it would. About six/seven years ago, there was a bioengineering prof in N. Carolina (I think) that said "When this stuff hits (global warming), it's not going to be a gradual thing; there is pitch-point, and then the sob is going down hill - fast." Well, here we are. And now, Americans who care about nothing but consumption, are trying to figure out ways to capitalize on this tragedy. I have just written my local paper that with the proliferation of insane gas guzzling vehicles, which dominate the market in spite of our knowledge of peak oil and global warming, I was heartened to see the Supreme Court take a sane stand. Here where I live in the Pac. Northwest, the biggest and brightest and most obscene SUV and trucks you can drive are the orders of the day - but listen: in my state there is a "weight tax" that is shared equally to offset the damage these vehicles do. Therefore, we penalize the poor and the responsible. I just wrote a letter to the paper about this that I was informed is going to be published. Time for State legislatures to step up and fully tax these beasts for the damage they create to the earth and the environment, instead of the responsible and/or poor underwrite their irresponsibility. Way back when in California, there was a tax you had to pay for an oversize vehicle unless you needed same for your business. It was jettisoned by auto sales lobbyists hacking away at the California legislature. Time to reinstate this regulation, since I don't think driving your kids or client around in an Escalade qualifies. I used a four-banger, 4 wheel drive Toyota van for ten years hauling kids around skiing. We're talkin' a light vehicle. If people can't make the right choices themselves, and if car companies are whores, then tis time for regulation and costing this stuff out - fully.

4/04/2007 3:57 PM

 
Blogger Leslie said...

Not that it will ever happen...

But if cigarettes are going to have "sin taxes" applied, then why not to low mileage vehicles?

I mean, the Secretary of Transportation is mandating Electronic Stabilization Control on all vehicles in the next 5 years, but can't mandate higher mileage because it would "hurt the auto industry".

Mandate a feel good thing to take the public's mind off the real threat.

4/05/2007 10:23 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ah, yes, I just read about the stabilization for SUVs. Ain't it great? Yes, my letter was printed. I'll probably have people try to run me down more than ever. I do think that there may be a tax. They are going to have to do something about CAFE - and it'll be interesting to see how. As our work effing melts, people just sit around and act like it ain't happenin'. I wish I could - but for MS. It's fascinating to think that you have to put in air in the Pac Northwest! But, that's what we're going to have to go, knowing it's going to contribute to the problems! Gah!

4/06/2007 5:41 PM

 

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