Coffee thoughts.

A few years ago, I was invited to provide consultancy services to an establishment, which I would prefer not to name. For the purpose of this article, let's refer to it as "T." T, located in a prominent area of town, expressed a desire to embrace eco-friendly practices by transforming their building into an environmentally conscious structure. They approached me to assess the possibility of setting up an apiary in their rooftop garden. The request came directly from their CEO, who wanted to showcase their commitment to sustainability by having bees on-site.

Rooftop beekeeping, however, is not universally suitable for all cities worldwide. Just because it is viable in one city, such as New York, does not mean it will be feasible in another, like Singapore. To evaluate the viability of establishing a beehive on a rooftop, we must prioritize the needs of the bees and carefully consider the objective, purpose, and practicality of such an endeavor.

Upon arriving at the location to commence my study, it became apparent that establishing a beehive might be possible. However, due to the distance of available food sources, only a specific species of bees would be suitable. It was important to note that this particular species was larger in size, making them visible to the public from a distance, but it also had a natural tendency to sting.

This posed a significant challenge, as it highlighted the conflicting requirements. We couldn't have the best of both worlds—an easily visible bee species without the risk of stinging. The staff, however, had been instructed to prioritize both criteria: stingless bees that were large enough to be seen by the public at a distance. This expectation displayed a level of naivety and a lack of understanding about bees and their behavior. It became evident that their primary motivation was to fulfill key performance indicators handed down from higher levels of management, rather than genuinely appreciating and comprehending the nature of bees.

Given their lack of knowledge and their human-centric approach, I made the decision not to offer my services. I prefer working with individuals who possess a genuine understanding of their objectives and are willing to work harmoniously with nature. While Singapore may be known as a garden city, it predominantly consists of a concrete jungle where the presence of natural elements is often fleeting and temporary.

In the end, I heard that T decided to engage an amateur beekeeper to proceed with the beekeeping project. Curiosity got the better of me a few months later, prompting me to write to them and request a showcase of their setup. I simply wanted to see how things were progressing and if they had managed to overcome the challenges they faced initially. However, to my disappointment, they did not reply to my email.

This lack of response further emphasized the superficial approach they had taken towards implementing an eco-friendly initiative. It was clear that their focus was more on the appearance of being environmentally conscious rather than truly understanding and embracing the principles of sustainable practices. Unfortunately, this scenario often unfolds when organizations prioritize short-term goals and external perceptions over a genuine commitment to the environment.

The episode served as a reminder of the importance of working with individuals and organizations who possess a deep understanding and respect for nature. Collaboration should be based on shared values, knowledge, and a sincere desire to make a positive impact. Only then can we foster true sustainability and create lasting change in our communities.

"We hope to change the way

people see honey bees.

That they stop being referred to as pests,

but as nature's guardians.

Because their existence helps secure ours.”

Lesster Leow, Beekeeper