Park Gyeong-je, a beekeeper for nearly 50 years, began his journey out of love for nature and…

Park Gyeong-je, a beekeeper for nearly 50 years, began his journey out of love for nature and to earn a living. Now, he faces uncertainty due to climate change, questioning how long he and his fellow beekeepers can continue. The 65-year-old operates a migratory beekeeping business in Sancheong, South Korea, moving his hives across the country to follow seasonal blooms. However, rising temperatures are shortening blooming seasons, causing flowers to bloom earlier and for shorter periods. Stronger winds also make it harder for bees to return to their hives, while mites and new diseases have significantly reduced bee populations. Park noted to Reuters, “City dwellers may not notice the seasons, but farmers feel them directly. It seems now there are only summer and winter.” He started with eight hives in 1979 and now manages about 110, housing approximately 8.8 million bees. “Due to climate change, beekeeping has become very difficult,” Park stated.