Chicago Beekeeper Discusses Data Center Impact on Bees
A Chicago beekeeper discusses how electromagnetic fields from data centers, alongside other environmental factors like climate and parasites, could disrupt bees' magnetic navigation. Concerns were also raised about data centers' significant water and carbon footprints impacting local ecosystems and bee colonies in the Chicagoland area. The segment explores broader threats to bee health and local beekeeping practices in Illinois.
Non Gamble, chief beekeeper from The Hive Supply in Chicago, joined a local news segment to discuss the potential disruptive effects of data centers on bee colonies. She referenced reports from Texas suggesting that electromagnetic fields emitted by data centers could confuse bees' magnetic navigation, a concern she believes is relevant to the Chicagoland area given the increasing number of data centers in Illinois.
Gamble explained that honeybees, known for their sophisticated navigation and communication through a "waggle dance," could have these capabilities disturbed by low-frequency emissions from data centers. She noted that while ongoing studies are exploring these effects, early results indicate a negative impact on bees' ability to learn foraging locations, potentially harming the hives themselves. Beyond electromagnetic fields, Gamble also highlighted worries about the significant water consumption and carbon production associated with data centers, viewing them as additional environmental stressors on local ecosystems and bee health.
While acknowledging other major threats to bee populations, such as the Varroa mite parasite (which caused an 80% colony loss two years prior, now addressed by updated treatments) and severe weather conditions impacting rooftop hives, Gamble stressed that any additional negative impact from data centers is a concern for beekeepers. She also shared information about the importance of fostering bee colonies for biodiversity, managing over 300 hives across Chicagoland, and advised on safe swarm removal and the feasibility of urban beekeeping in Chicago, which requires registering hives with the Illinois Department of Agriculture.