I hate bees. They really freak me out and I’m paranoid about being stung if I see one. Although annoying, not nearly as scary as hornets and wasps. At least when the bee decides to sting you it’s volunteering its life to save the nest or whatever. Hornets and wasps are just evil - we had one in the house a few days ago and thankfully Haley killed it before it started flying around and causing me to freak out.

But on a larger scale, bees are necessary for all the delicious fruits that we enjoy. And they’re disappearing, fast. It’s been in the news and scientists have issued their warnings, but most recently Häagen Dazs has stepped up and produced a website calling attention to the issue. Help the Honeybees - a cute interactive flash site that aims to highlight the fact that without bees, there will be no naturally flavored ice cream. It’s sad that it’s going to take that type of public awareness for a change in thinking about our environment, but it’s not really that surprising. We look to the media and advertising to keep us informed about what we should care about and it’s about time that they take a greater social conscious into consideration. Burt’s Bees has also put together some good information on the Colony Collapse Disorder and they’re helping to fund The Honeybee Health Improvement Project.

These sites have a lot of information about what you can do to get involved, but on a very basic level you can start by planting flowers and garden plants that bees like. You can see the Dummies Guide to Planting Flowers for Your Bees for details.

I read this little article in the most recent fast company issue. It’s pretty interesting and I think if a lot of the big companies take this route it probably is one the easiest solutions to helping our environment. I like the idea of working less… don’t you? It’s funny to me how many people/companies claim to be “green” but yet won’t hesitate to print out hundreds emails, letterheads, brochures, etc. Or they stay in their office for 24hrs a day running lights, heat, faxes, computers, etc.. On another note: I’m glad I barely drive and have a train less than a block away- I’m not sure what gas is like near you, but it’s over $3.70 for us.