Rooftop bee farms in Seoul help support ecosystem
Arirang News
2020-11-02
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"호텔 옥상에 꿀벌이?"…도심에서 생태계 지키는 꿀벌들
When we think of honey bees, we imagine them buzzing around in the countryside.
However, some people are raising bees in hives on top of buildings in Seoul.
Our Jang Tae-hyun went to an urban bee farm to see what it's all about.
Bees help make one-third of the food on our table.
The Food and Agriculture Organization said close to 75 percent of world's crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption depend on pollinators like bees.
So, without them, the ecosystem would be destroyed and our food supply would be under threat.
Luckily, some people are working hard to protect these little miracle workers.
"These honey bees don't live in the countryside, but rather at a bee farm on the roof of a hotel in Seoul."
The founder of the organization 'Urban Bees Seoul' says that he started the business to help sustain the bee population and support the ecosystem.
It might sound odd to see bees on the rooftop, but he says that everything is perfectly safe.
"People might be scared of beekeeping in the city. We understand that because we felt the same way at first. But, there's a way to coexist with the bees if we wear safety equipment... and follow the rules and regulations."
According to the United Nations, there are 20-thousand species of bee worldwide, but around 40 percent are endangered... and as their numbers decline, the price of crops spikes.
Pesticide, climate change and disease are causing bees around the world to die out.
The Urban Bees Seoul educates people about breeding bees,... and there's over 20 bee farms in South Korea's capital region.
And, the best part is when they get the honey.
"Now, it's time to collect organic honey from the beehive."
This honey passes the government's safety test every time, and even though it comes from the city, air pollution doesn't affect it at all.
"Honey made in the city doesn't use pesticides. So, the twist is that we can have safer honey. Isn't that surprising?"
Honey made in Seoul is sold at stores and there's a sticker telling people where in Seoul it's made.
This urban beekeeping is a creative way to help the ecosystem, and has the added bonus of delicious and healthy honey.
Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News.
When we think of honey bees, we imagine them buzzing around in the countryside.
However, some people are raising bees in hives on top of buildings in Seoul.
Our Jang Tae-hyun went to an urban bee farm to see what it's all about.
Bees help make one-third of the food on our table.
The Food and Agriculture Organization said close to 75 percent of world's crops producing fruits and seeds for human consumption depend on pollinators like bees.
So, without them, the ecosystem would be destroyed and our food supply would be under threat.
Luckily, some people are working hard to protect these little miracle workers.
"These honey bees don't live in the countryside, but rather at a bee farm on the roof of a hotel in Seoul."
The founder of the organization 'Urban Bees Seoul' says that he started the business to help sustain the bee population and support the ecosystem.
It might sound odd to see bees on the rooftop, but he says that everything is perfectly safe.
"People might be scared of beekeeping in the city. We understand that because we felt the same way at first. But, there's a way to coexist with the bees if we wear safety equipment... and follow the rules and regulations."
According to the United Nations, there are 20-thousand species of bee worldwide, but around 40 percent are endangered... and as their numbers decline, the price of crops spikes.
Pesticide, climate change and disease are causing bees around the world to die out.
The Urban Bees Seoul educates people about breeding bees,... and there's over 20 bee farms in South Korea's capital region.
And, the best part is when they get the honey.
"Now, it's time to collect organic honey from the beehive."
This honey passes the government's safety test every time, and even though it comes from the city, air pollution doesn't affect it at all.
"Honey made in the city doesn't use pesticides. So, the twist is that we can have safer honey. Isn't that surprising?"
Honey made in Seoul is sold at stores and there's a sticker telling people where in Seoul it's made.
This urban beekeeping is a creative way to help the ecosystem, and has the added bonus of delicious and healthy honey.
Jang Tae-hyun, Arirang News.
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