The Creation of "HONEy Bee"
Figure 2Zee Avi, born Izyan Alirahman in Borneo, 1986, moved to Kuala Lumpur when she was 12 years old. At age 17, she started playing the guitar and writing her own songs. She studied fashion design at the American Intercontinental University in London, before returning to Kuala Lumpur and her music. Her family's background in law, her education, and her broad range of interests helped Avi develop songs with subtly intellectual, if sometimes esoteric, subject matter. "Honey Bee" is one of these, interweaving Avi's personal experience with the life of a honey bee. The song is about the trials of two honey bees, as one tries to fit into honey bee society and the other fights for them both to be free. As a metaphor, the song expresses the hardship of being a misfit, detailing the strength it takes to break free from the norm. However, the song also references scientific aspects of life as a honey bee. "Honey Bee" is also about abandoning the hive and the control of the queen bee, alluding to the strange disappearance of honey bees during the time Avi was writing the song.
I've always been a misfit since high school; I never had the same mindset as people around me. The song is about two bees who are alike, but one leans towards society and the stronger one says, 'Look, you're allowed to be original and if you need my help, I'll be more than happy to help you.'
Honey Bees in the 21st Century
What's happening?
Beginning in 2006, apiculturists (beekeepers) began reporting missing colonies. For no apparent reason, bees were disappearing from their hives, leaving the queen and brood behind. Of the participating beekeepers, 25% reported missing some of their colonies. These were the first reports of what would come to be known as CCD, the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder. In the 2007-2008 season, the number of colonies with CCD climbed to 36%, and the result was disastrous. The loss of these bees is estimated to have had a $10 billion effect on the U.S. agricultural economy. Although a certain number of bees are expected to die during the winter, the colony losses since 2006 have been well beyond the reasonable range. |
Why? The cause of the CCD epidemic is still unknown, but experts have several theories about its origins. For a long time, honey bee losses have been attributed to weakened immune systems, brought on by Varroa mites. However, it is possible that new viruses and mites are responsible for the strange increase in bee losses. Other explanations include poor nutrition, migratory and management stress, pesticide poisoning, global climate change, habitat loss, or some unknown pathogen. What can be done? In 2007, the USDA created the CCD Steering Committee. With members from the EPA, the Committee created an action plan designed to find out what is causing CCD and what can be done about it. Through data collection, analysis and research, teams are hoping to determine the extent of CCD, the current health of populations, the pests and pathogens that may be contributing factors, and measures that can be taken to help save honey bees. |
Here are some things we can all do to help:
- Become a backyard beekeeper
- Plant a diverse and bee-friendly garden with wild plants and no pesticides
- Say something! Write to politicians and let them know that this is a problem. Increased funds for research could save the bees!