Bee a Replenisher
Celebrating World Bee Day on the 20th of May!
20th May 2021 marked the 4th World Bee Day, designated by the UN to raise awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.
Replenish Earth is the philosophy of living in harmony with nature and we have sworn to protect the natural resources we all share. We believe that no matter how miniscule our individual actions might seem, all our actions add up to make a positive impact on the world.
Bees are renowned for their role in providing honey and other products (royal jelly and pollen) used in healthcare and other sectors (beeswax, propolis, honey bee venom). But the greatest importance of Bees isn’t a product of the hive at all, instead it is their work as crop pollinators.
Considering the current human population annual growth rate which is approximately 80 million, one might wonder where all the food comes from to feed the growing population. The term ‘as busy as a bee’ is no joke. These humble insects work tirelessly to find food for the hive and by doing so, pollinate a majority of crops that reach our plates.
What numbers are we talking about here?
Bees are among the most numerous and efficient pollinator species in the world. Considering that the average honey bee can visit more than 2,000 flowers in a single day and greatly increase the chances of a plant producing a fruit or vegetable. They pollinate 80% of the world’s plants including 90 different food crops. The FAO mentions that 1 out of every 3 or 4 bites of food you eat is thanks to bees.
Okay cool, but why are we discussing this?
Unfortunately this century has witnessed a steady decline in the bee population, both artificially reared and wild bees alike. What are the factors?
The decline in bee species is largely due to exposure to pathogens, parasites, intensive farming practices, mono-cropping, excessive use of agricultural chemicals and higher temperatures associated with climate change, affecting not only crop yields but also the delicate balance of the food chain.
Losing bees at this rate means that the price of insect pollinated crops like fruits, nuts and many vegetables might skyrocket. These will be substituted increasingly by staple crops like rice, corn, and potatoes, eventually resulting in an imbalanced and bland diet.
Fun fact ‘Shrinking Bee Populations Are Being Replaced by Human Pollinators In rural China’
What would happen if bees died off?
If all the world’s bees died off, there would be serious repercussions throughout the ecosystem. Plants like bee orchids that are exclusively dependent on certain types of bees will go extinct without human intervention. The death of bees would drastically affect the ecosystem and biodiversity. Other plants may utilize a variety of pollinators, but many are most successfully pollinated by bees. Without bees, these plants would produce fewer seeds which would result in lower rates of reproductive success.
Beyond plants, several animals and birds like the bee eater birds that feed on bees will perish, resulting in the disruption of food chains.
What’s happening around the world?
Declining bees is a systemic problem. What it means is that it can’t be solved with a single isolated solution, rather in a systemic way. On the flip side, it also implies we can think of solutions which lie far away laterally from bees.
One such example is this interesting intervention called ‘Bee saving paper’
Bee Saving Paper is an innovative, 100% biodegradable material rich in glucose.
It works like an energy drink for exhausted bees.
Here are a few ways how individually you can save these “buzzy” neighbours ->
- Plant a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year : Pollinators have evolved with native plants, which are best adapted to the local growing season, climate, and soils. Most pollinators feed on specific plant species. Keep the bees recharged by planting a diverse set of native plants, so flowers are available through the year for the bees.
- Avoid pesticides, fungicides or herbicides that harm bees.
Pesticides kill not only the pests but also several organisms like bees that are vital for plants and the environment. Always keep in mind that just because a pesticide is labeled as “organic” does not mean that it is also non-toxic. When you’re shopping for a pesticide to protect your garden without risking harm to local pollinators, it’s essential that you check the ingredient list. Some popular non-toxic ingredients that are commonly found in pesticides include garlic, kaolin clay, corn gluten, and bacillus thuringiensis. If one of these is the key ingredient for a pesticide, it’s probably safe for pollinators.
- Buy raw honey from local farmers.
Recent investigation by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claims that Top Indian honey brands failed adulteration tests . We strongly recommend you to take care of yourself and the bees around you. Look for local farmers, get to know them and buy raw unadulterated honey from them. By doing so, you also support the local bee population.
- Raise awareness around us by sharing this information within our communities and networks.
Let’s ensure that we do our part in protecting these tiny workers who are responsible for filling our plates. We appreciate your desire and determination to Replenish Earth. But our mission cannot be achieved in isolation. Share this article with your community and spread the message!
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Replenish Earth, a cause and a collective action to protect the global commons — the natural resources we all share. Replenish Earth is focused on ecosystem restoration, with a multidisciplinary approach to creating a positive impact on earth including and not limited to education, eco-therapy (physical and virtual), eco-products, eco-futurism.
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