WHY SAVE THE BEES?

Bees are a vital part of our survival – together with other pollinators, they are responsible for a third of the food that we eat.

Many of our fruits, vegetables, and nuts are reliant upon pollinators for their production. In fact, without these species, 70% of plants would be unable to reproduce or provide food. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, of the 100 crop varieties that provide 90% of the world’s food, 71 are pollinated by bees. In North America, honey bees alone pollinate nearly 95 kinds of fruits, such as almonds, avocados, cranberries and apples, in addition to commodity crops like soy. (Center for Food Safety, US)

If bees became extinct, “crop yields would fall off dramatically”, reports the BBC. Eventually, other insects would fill the role of bees in pollination, “but in the short term you could expect the apple, orange, coffee, chocolate and rapeseed oil industries to collapse”. The cost of some foods would likely skyrocket without the economic contribution of bees, resulting in high grocery prices. (Sentient Media)

Many studies have linked bee declines to pesticide use. Neonicotinoids, the most widely used insecticides in the world, interfere with the nervous system of insects, causing tremors, paralysis, and eventually death. Neonicotinoids are so toxic that one treated corn seed contains enough insecticide to kill over 80,000 honey bees.

To help preserve bees and other pollinators, don’t use pesticides in your farm or garden. Plant nectar-bearing flowers such as marigolds or sunflowers for decorative purposes on balconies, terraces, and gardens.