To ‘bee’ or not to be: that is the problem |
What else are you getting with all that energy? |
by Natalie Aylward
The dollar value you may place on a bug might not be that high, or even existent. To most it is just a six-legged pest. But if you knew that the economic value of pollination services provided by native insects, mostly bees, is estimated at $3 billion per year in the U.S, perhaps you would reconsider your definition of ‘pest’. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee species, Bombus Affinis, could be argued to be one of the most important endangered species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list and has been also listed on their featured species list. Not until more recent years, approaching upon bee extinction, is when many wildlife organizations, farmers and general consumers are beginning to be thrown in fear. An estimated 71 different crop species rely on bees for their pollination; if bees were to go extinct, 64% of the world’s food would disappear. Farmers would be thrown into poverty, countries would have to stop exporting food and trade, people would go hungry all across the globe. This is just how important a little bee could be. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that the Rusty Patched Bumblebee species used to be found in a wide-length of places including 28 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and two provinces in Canada. Today this bee species has only been found in 13 states and one Canadian province, an 87% decline in population. Reasons for decline include: habitat loss and degradation, intensive farming, disease, pesticides, and global climate change. Wildlife services have been acting on this conflict, encouraging everybody else to do the same. Organizations such as the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service has been working with landowners everywhere to promote healthy and bee-friendly conservation improvements to their land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been leading service programs to assess, protect and restore pollinators to initiate bee population growth as well. While researchers and scientists throughout the U.S. have been studying impacts of GMO crops and monitoring the decline of bees. |
by Katelyn Davis
When early commuters, tired students, or night owls want a pick-me-up, they often consume an energy drink. But do these people know what they’re actually consuming? Few people seem to be aware that there are often more than just a single serving in a can of energy drink. In a survey of JHS students, 75% of the people asked said that they did not know there was two servings in one can of an energy drink. Compared to coffee, a traditional caffeinated beverage, an energy drink has far more sugar, and calories. While a typical American puts around three teaspoons of sugar in their coffee, there are around 13.5 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of energy drink. The combination of caffeine and large amounts of sugar can cause a person to become jittery and anxious. The sugar that is in a can can leave you dehydrated, lead to tooth decay, and cause weight gain in the future. These drinks also hold a lot of artificial or “fake” sugar sweeteners which have been said to cause you to eat more. Even with all of these bad effects, people still want to drink these for the extra rush the beverages provide. Freshman Erin Ipsen says she drinks energy drinks every day. Even knowing what goes into these energy drinks, Ipsen doesn’t care and will continue to keep drinking these beverages. “I drink them because I feel like they give me more energy, but I know they’re bad for me and that I can go for an alternate like coffee,” adds Ipsen. On the other hand, there are many coaches who do not encourage energy drinks because it can result in a crash and impact athletic and mental performance. Instead of these sugary drinks, try drinking a few glasses of water when you first wake up. Cold water will help you get re-hydrated from the night and give you energy to move. And keep in mind, no amount of caffeine and sugar can match the natural energy that comes from getting enough sleep. |