World bee day: how to protect them?

The world day in honor of bees was celebrated on Thursday 20 May 2021. The role they play on our planet is truly essential for the proper functioning of every single natural process. There has been a lot of talk on TV and in newspapers about how the number of these animals has significantly reduced in recent years. The data is quite worrying and scientists from all over the globe are looking for possible solutions to cure the problem.

How to protect bees?

Over the past few years, the number of bees around the world has dropped dramatically. It is a silent slaughter that occurs silently before our eyes as the world continues fearlessly to move. What scholars have been able to notice is that the quantity of bees present on our planet continues to decrease and above all, very quickly. There is a need to implement targeted interventions that can at least stem or slow down the problem. Our world is changing, and with it also the natural environments which are becoming inhospitable for bees . A series of interlinked causes meant that bees weakened and became less and less resistant to the external environment, temperatures and diseases.

Protecting bees is not a simple task but it is possible to follow the numerous initiatives proposed by Unesco and by local authorities trying to stay informed and implement in our small way all the measures indicated to contain the phenomenon. We will analyze later all the causes that have led to the decrease of bees in the world to better understand how to intervene against the danger factors.

What a world without bees would be like

Bees are responsible for about a third of the food we have available around the world. Are you wondering why? Our beloved bees are pollinating insects and therefore participate in the pollination of plants and flowers. Thanks to this process, plants are able to reproduce and generate themselves. Without the work of these small insects of great importance, the survival of many living species would be compromised. Even our existence would be jeopardized as we would not have enough food for our livelihood.

Actively participating in the conservation of bees is important so that these animals can recover from what is weakening them. About 80% of the food we eat every day is the result of their tireless work of pollination . Furthermore, the role of bees is the main foundation of the entire food chain. Bees also perform a very important task for biodiversity , an inevitable factor for our ecosystem.

Awareness raising and information on the issue

World Bee Day was established in 2017 in memory of the birth date of the Slovenian Anton Jansa, pioneer of beekeeping . The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of bees and pollinating insects, which play an irreplaceable role in the life of the Earth. There have been many initiatives to spread the topic from sharing and hashtags on social networks to television information services and the involvement of prominent personalities and VIPs.

Angelina Jolie has also decided to give voice to the phenomenon, sending out a strong message. In fact, the actress decided to cover herself entirely with bees on her face as well, to raise public awareness against the risk of extinction. The snapshot of the National Geographic was shared everywhere and, according to the article, Angelina also decided to inquire and participate in the Unesco initiative for the protection of bees, learning the profession of beekeeper.

What the data says

According to official data, more than 10 million beehives have disappeared worldwide in the last five years alone. The numbers are truly worrying and if no action is taken, we risk the extinction of bees globally.

Why are bees disappearing? Here are some causes

The causes linked to this sudden decrease in bees can be linked to factors such as:

• Climate change: the continuous changes in temperatures have led the flowers to produce less nectar, an essential element for bees.
• Use of agricultural chemicals: the use of pesticides and herbicides has undoubtedly affected the health of bees.
• Loss of natural environments: Monocultures, unstable weather and many different factors are bringing about changes in various ecosystems.
• Weakening and disease: bees have become more fragile and predisposed to the development of diseases and the invasion of parasites that spread very quickly.
• Arrival of new predators: species such as the Asian hornet and the velutina wasp are decimating numerous hives. These non-native species feed on bees or their larvae, preventing their development and destroying entire swarms.

How beekeepers work

The beekeepers are considered as real modern heroes capable of dedicating a lot of effort to such an important cause. Working with bees is a job that requires passion, patience and a lot of knowledge. It happens very often that beekeepers are faced with substantial losses. In the last period there have been really unprofitable moments for beekeepers. Among the interventions that breeders can implement there are some small measures, such as:

• Reserve some areas for natural habitat;
• Creating plant barriers;
• Reduce the use of pesticides or harmful chemicals;
• Respect the nesting places;
• Building specific traps for certain predators.

As we always stress, adequate political intervention would also be welcome. It is important to encourage participation, knowledge exchange and correct information among citizens. Only with adequate dissemination of the topic is it possible to involve a greater number of people in an issue that is so important to us all.

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