Bee the Change Discussion Questions

Can you think of some ways in which people are better off than they were 100 years ago? What are some examples of non-material improvements in the quality of life?

Say the average income was $1000 (in today’s dollars) in the year 1800. If it increased by 100% what would it be? If it increased by 2000% what would it be?

Why did the Hernandez family start a beekeeping business?

What did the Hernandez family do in response to the sudden decline in the bee population in 2005?

How did John Hernandez expand his business?

The Hernandez family business traditionally had no income in the months of April, May and June. What season is it in Chile during these months? How and why are the seasons different in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres?

What government policy made it easy for Hernandez to start exporting to Europe?

Why can’t John Hernandez help the U.S. with its bee problems?

Why would Hernandez’s parents have been unable to create a successful business like John and his siblings have done?

Where did the people of Chile turn for a solution to poverty in 1970? How did that work out?