It is safe to say that humans would be nowhere without bees. Not only do they give us honey and make propolis, nature’s finest cold sore treatment, they have also played an essential role in the pollination of the world’s plants for more than 100 million years.
In fact, the world’s approximately 25,000 bee species are essential to the procreation of around 80% of earth’s plant species, so we should all be concerned that bees are currently experiencing an unprecedented period of challenge.
Quite simply, without bees to perform their pollination work, humans would be reliant on a very narrow diet and would also suffer a shortage of medicines. This not only includes propolis, nature’s number one cold sore treatment, but also morphine and aspirin, which are derived from bee-pollinated crops.
Both Europe and North America are currently in the grip of a disturbing decline in bee numbers, with around a quarter of species in these regions currently under threat. Last month, a study stated that this decline is “consistent with a mass extinction within a few decades”. And there are few places where this is as obvious as California’s Central Valley, where reports of “colony collapse disorder” have been making headlines for some time now.
Against this background it is easy to feel helpless. However, by campaigning now – for example, by writing to your local MP with your concerns about bee populations – it is at least possible to take action and to combat the problems of pesticides, parasites, poor nutrition and industrial-scale agriculture in general.
Also, look out for schemes that show a commitment to bee-friendly agriculture. For example, the US-based Xerces Society has created a bee-friendly kitemark, which is displayed on products that use ingredients grown on farms that support bees by reducing their pesticide use.
