Bernard Werber, Einstein, and the Bees
(Part 1)
The novel "The Prophecy of the Bees" by Bernard Werber—hailed as one of the greatest minds of 21st-century literature—was inspired by a striking quote attributed to Albert Einstein, the genius physicist:
“If bees were to disappear from the Earth, mankind would have only four years left to live.”
Set in the year 2053, three decades after the disappearance of bees, the novel follows the journey of René, a time-traveler desperate to prevent the collapse of civilization. The story unveils a bleak, desolate Earth—ravaged by climate extremes, where even in midwinter, temperatures exceed 43°C. Amid widespread famine and the outbreak of World War III, humanity’s only glimmer of hope lies in reviving the bees.
But how can bees, long vanished from the face of the planet, be brought back to life? And even more pressing: how could they be made to survive and thrive again in this devastated environment?
The Role of Bees in Our Survival
The disappearance of bees would have catastrophic consequences for the planet. In exchange for nectar, bees unknowingly perform the vital task of pollination—transferring pollen from one flower to another as they forage. This process enables plants to bear fruits and seeds, forming the foundation of the human food supply.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 71% of the world’s top 100 food crops depend on bee-mediated pollination. The rest rely on wind, other insects, birds, and animals. In a report published by Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was revealed that almonds cannot be cultivated without bees, and that apple and blueberry yields rely on bees for 90% of their pollination. Even crops like peaches (48%), oranges (27%), and cotton (16%) depend heavily on them.
In short, bees are not merely beneficial—they are indispensable to both the ecosystem and the survival of humanity.
The Mystery of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
You may have encountered reports of mysterious mass bee deaths: worker bees venture out in search of nectar and pollen but never return, leaving only the queen and larvae behind to perish. The resulting empty hives are a haunting phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)—first reported in the United States in 2006. Since then, it has spread to parts of Europe, Brazil, and even to Asia and Africa. In fact, the problem became so severe that U.S. President Barack Obama convened a special task force in 2014 to address it.
Searching for the Cause
Why are bees disappearing on such a massive scale?
To combat this crisis, we must accurately identify the root causes of CCD. Since the early 2000s, the FAO and the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations (Apimondia) have collaborated on global research and hosted biennial conferences to share findings. However, a definitive cause and cure remain elusive.
So far, suspected culprits include:
Biological factors: mites, parasites, viruses (e.g., IAPV)
Chemical exposure: pesticides, fungicides, and pollutants
Physical influences: electromagnetic radiation from cellphones, radars, and wireless networks
Environmental changes: genetically modified crops, climate change, shifting planetary axes
Despite extensive study, none of these have been conclusively proven to be the singular cause. It is likely that a combination of these stressors is to blame.
A Question for Humanity
Are we doomed to helplessly watch as Einstein’s warning becomes our reality?
Or—as imagined by Bernard Werber—can we rise above the odds and rediscover a way to nurture and protect bees that can survive even under the most hostile conditions?
The answer lies not in fiction, but in the choices we make from here on.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.
Bernard Werber, Einstein, and the Bees
(Part 1)
The novel "The Prophecy of the Bees" by Bernard Werber—hailed as one of the greatest minds of 21st-century literature—was inspired by a striking quote attributed to Albert Einstein, the genius physicist:
“If bees were to disappear from the Earth, mankind would have only four years left to live.”
Set in the year 2053, three decades after the disappearance of bees, the novel follows the journey of René, a time-traveler desperate to prevent the collapse of civilization. The story unveils a bleak, desolate Earth—ravaged by climate extremes, where even in midwinter, temperatures exceed 43°C. Amid widespread famine and the outbreak of World War III, humanity’s only glimmer of hope lies in reviving the bees.
But how can bees, long vanished from the face of the planet, be brought back to life? And even more pressing: how could they be made to survive and thrive again in this devastated environment?
The Role of Bees in Our Survival
The disappearance of bees would have catastrophic consequences for the planet. In exchange for nectar, bees unknowingly perform the vital task of pollination—transferring pollen from one flower to another as they forage. This process enables plants to bear fruits and seeds, forming the foundation of the human food supply.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, 71% of the world’s top 100 food crops depend on bee-mediated pollination. The rest rely on wind, other insects, birds, and animals. In a report published by Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was revealed that almonds cannot be cultivated without bees, and that apple and blueberry yields rely on bees for 90% of their pollination. Even crops like peaches (48%), oranges (27%), and cotton (16%) depend heavily on them.
In short, bees are not merely beneficial—they are indispensable to both the ecosystem and the survival of humanity.
The Mystery of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
You may have encountered reports of mysterious mass bee deaths: worker bees venture out in search of nectar and pollen but never return, leaving only the queen and larvae behind to perish. The resulting empty hives are a haunting phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)—first reported in the United States in 2006. Since then, it has spread to parts of Europe, Brazil, and even to Asia and Africa. In fact, the problem became so severe that U.S. President Barack Obama convened a special task force in 2014 to address it.
Searching for the Cause
Why are bees disappearing on such a massive scale?
To combat this crisis, we must accurately identify the root causes of CCD. Since the early 2000s, the FAO and the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations (Apimondia) have collaborated on global research and hosted biennial conferences to share findings. However, a definitive cause and cure remain elusive.
So far, suspected culprits include:
Biological factors: mites, parasites, viruses (e.g., IAPV)
Chemical exposure: pesticides, fungicides, and pollutants
Physical influences: electromagnetic radiation from cellphones, radars, and wireless networks
Environmental changes: genetically modified crops, climate change, shifting planetary axes
Despite extensive study, none of these have been conclusively proven to be the singular cause. It is likely that a combination of these stressors is to blame.
A Question for Humanity
Are we doomed to helplessly watch as Einstein’s warning becomes our reality?
Or—as imagined by Bernard Werber—can we rise above the odds and rediscover a way to nurture and protect bees that can survive even under the most hostile conditions?
The answer lies not in fiction, but in the choices we make from here on.
Written by Yongkap Hur
Propolis Specialist
CEO, Unique Biotech Co., Ltd.