With its black and gold striped body and transparent wings, the bee is a familiar sight in woods, meadows, and gardens around the world. But do you know how vital this creature is to our survival?
What would happen if there were no bees?
Sadly, a world without bees is becoming more of a possibility every single day, and if they become extinct, we will be in serious trouble. The outlook is undeniably grim. In its constant quest for more ‘things’, modern society is undervaluing nature. But if we want an economy that provides for everyone’s needs, we need to look closer at the natural environment. Our politicians need to understand the importance of preserving the natural world – and protecting bees as crucial players in it.
So, what would happen if there were no bees? Well, we would have a world very short of food. Bees are our principal pollinators, pollinating a third of the food we eat and 80% of flowering plants. Vegetables such as broccoli and asparagus rely on the pollination of bees, as do berries, beans, apples, apricots, tomatoes, and almonds.
How can we save the bees? These are our top five tips:
- Avoid using harmful pesticides: Synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and herbicides are toxic to bees
- Plant a bee-friendly garden: Plant flowers in patches – bees like to focus on one flower type at a time
- Bees need trees: Strengthen bee habitats by caring for and planting more trees
- Create a ‘Bee Bath’: Fill a small dish or bowl with clean water, and arrange pebbles and stones inside so that they prod out of the water, allowing bees to land and drink
- Build a hive: Keep bees and enjoy free soaps, lotions, and beeswax candles, as well as delicious local honey!
The bee is an incredible creature, so contribute as much as you can to help save it … and in doing so save humankind.