Today May 20 is World Bee Day. Why do we say that these champions of pollination and industrious honey producers have nothing to celebrate. The answer is stark and pure: they are in danger of extinction, basically due to our activities. And this is not a light thing, because the little Antophilas, which is their scientific name, and in Greek means "flower lovers" are key to life on Earth. So let's find out what happens with bees, see if we can help with something.
Since when is World Bee Day celebrated? Why on May 20?
World Bee Day, May 20, was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017. This date was chosen because it was the birthday of Anton Janša, (1734, Slovenia), a pioneer of modern beekeeping. Janša belonged to a family of beekeepers, for whom the technique of raising bees had a long tradition.
What are the goals of World Bee Day?
World Bee Day aims to publicize the habitat of bees and other pollinators to improve their survival conditions, that is, stop the decline in their population and start their recovery. According to the UN, the celebration of World Bee Day has the following objectives: “To draw the attention of the world population and politicians to the need to protect bees. Remember that humans depend on bees and other pollinators. Protect bees and other pollinators so that they can make a significant contribution to solving the world's food supply problems and ending hunger in developing countries. Halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems,and in this way contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. "
What is the importance of bees?
There are between 25 thousand and 30 thousand species of bees, which have a transcendental function, greater than what is thought. Global food production and biodiversity depend largely on pollination, a process that allows the fertilization of flowers and the production of seeds and fruits. Bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles and other insects are largely responsible for this process. The serious thing is that their populations are declining by leaps and bounds.
What is pollination?
The pollination process consists of the transfer of pollen from the stamens of some flowers to the stigma of others. There it germinates and fertilizes the ovules of the flower, making possible the production of seeds and fruits. Three-quarters of the world's food crops depend on pollination by insects and other animals. Bees are one of the main pollen carriers, along with some other insects, birds, and bats. The wind also contributes to pollination. Without these agents life would be impossible.
Among the UN's priorities is the observation and control of the decline in the number of pollinators, the causes of their decline and their impact on pollination. Evaluate the economic impact of the decrease in pollination activity. Promote the conservation, recovery and sustainable use of the diversity of pollinators in agriculture and related ecosystems.
What are the causes that put bees in danger of extinction?
Among the factors that threaten pollinators, we can first consider the impact of climate change on them, especially bees, one of the species most exposed to climate phenomena. Reality has shown the high vulnerability of these insects to human action, such as the decline in their population and the danger of extinction. Among these we can consider: the loss or deterioration of habitats, intensive agriculture, parasites and diseases, in addition to the use of chemicals, fumigants and pesticides in agricultural production and pollution.
What are the related figures regarding the problem of bees?
Since the mid-1970s, the number of bee colonies has decreased by more than 33%, from 4 million to just under 2.5 million, according to Ecoesfera.
75% of the food we eat depends on pollination.
37% of bee populations in Europe are in decline.
+ € 2.4 million is the economic value of the bee pollination work for Spanish agriculture.
According to data from Greenpeace.
What if the bees went extinct?
Most flowering plants produce seeds only if the pollinating species do their job of transporting pollen from the anthers of some flowers to the stigmas of others. Without this activity, many foods for human consumption would cease to be produced, especially fruits, vegetables and legumes. The production of forage for animal consumption would also be affected.
What can we do to save the bees?
Those responsible for developing strategies to protect pollinators should include on their agenda: pollinator-friendly pesticide policies; conservation and improvement of their habitats; valuation, incentives and payments for ecosystem services; participation, knowledge sharing and empowerment of rural and indigenous peoples, as well as local communities; joint investigations and outreach and public awareness and knowledge sharing. The role of farmers and governments: reserve some areas as natural habitat; create plant barriers; reduce or modify the use of pesticides; respect nesting places; plant crop attractions around the field. According to the UN.
In the short term, the products toxic to bees, which are currently in use, should be banned and the risk assessment of pesticides made much more stringent. On the other hand, comprehensive action plans must be put in place to save bees. And the definitive solution is the adoption of organic farming as the only way to produce food that is respectful of all the inhabitants of the planet. As indicated by Greenpeace.
At home the recommendations can be of a great variety. Here we leave a few:
Get more gardens and less grass and reduce how often you prune it. Plant flowers in your area. Diversify your planting, paying attention to a variety of species in terms of size, color and shape. Take advantage of the entire flowering season. Provides water and good accommodation. Learn which are the most suitable pesticides.
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