Let’s take a moment, close your eyes if you wish, and imagine a summer picnic without bees: no feeling of panic as a little yellow stinging machine lands on the tip of your nose, paralyzing you with fear. For many of us a bee-free, EpiPen-free summer sounds like a dream come true, but to others like Maryam Henein and George Langworthy there is a much bigger, drearier, picture that comes to mind at the thought of a bee-less existance. Henein and Langworthy have teamed up in the development of Vanishing of the Bees, a full-length documentary narrated by Oscar-nominated cutie-pie Ellen Page, aimed towards shedding light on the rapidly growing issue of Colony Collapse Disorder and the effects the disappearance of honeybees has on our livelihood as consumers and as earth dwellers. Let’s face it; a picnic just wouldn’t be a picnic without the bees whose pollination efforts contribute largely to the produce we eat daily. According to the film’s website, “commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables”. We need those little guys. Enough said!
In alliance with National Honeybee Awareness Day on August 21st, Henein and Langworthy are kicking off their long-anticipated Bee the Change campaign in order to raise awareness and funds for the cause. A goal of $10,000 has been set by the duo and must be met by the kick-off date in order for the project to continue. For more information on pledging, how to set up your own screening of Vanishing of the Bees, and more about the cause, visit the project’s website and bee the change! The project is about halfway towards meeting its goal, but still needs your help, so get out there and start a buzz!
Watch the film’s trailer below:
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL-A8Apn1_s&feature=player_embedded 425×344]
