Every year on the 20th of May, people around the world celebrate World Bee Day – a day recognized and celebrated by the United Nations. This special day reminds us of how important bees and other pollinators are to nature, food, and human life. This day was created by the United Nations, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to raise awareness about the growing dangers facing bees today.

First and foremost, did you know that scientists estimate there are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide? Most of us may know Honey Bees, Bumblebees, and Carpenter Bees, but there are also other, less-known bees, such as the Franklin’s Bumblebee, the Red-Tailed Cuckoo Bee, the Cellophane Bee, and the Wallace’s Giant Bee – which is also the world’s largest bee!

Different bees*

While bees are pretty small, their work is enormous! As bees move from flower to flower collecting nectar, they also carry pollen. This process is called pollination. Pollination helps plants grow fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Without bees and other pollinators, many foods we enjoy every day would become rare or disappear completely. Scientists estimate that around 75% of the world’s food crops depend, at least partly, on pollinators.

An illustration of the pollination process

However, bees do much more than support agriculture. They also help forests, grasslands, and wild ecosystems stay healthy. Trees and flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce and spread. Healthy ecosystems then provide clean air, water, shade, medicine, and homes for wildlife. This shows us the deep connection between humans and nature. When bees thrive, nature thrives, and so do we!

Sadly, bee populations are declining in some parts of the world. Climate change, pollution, harmful pesticides, habitat destruction, and large-scale farming practices are making it difficult for bees to survive. Urban expansion and the loss of wildflowers also reduce the food and shelter bees need.

Statistics show that in Europe, 1.7% of bee species are vulnerable, while in the USA, 60% of native bee species are thought to have declining or threatened populations according to conservation assessments.

Bees together

The good news is that everyone can help protect bees. We do not need to be a scientist or a beekeeper to make a difference. Our small actions in daily life can create safer environments for these pollinators.

For example, one simple action we can take is to plant pollinator-friendly flowers, trees, and native plants. Bees are attracted to colorful flowers that provide nectar and pollen throughout the year. And, avoiding harmful chemicals in gardens and farms is another important step we can take. Even leaving small “wild areas” in parks or backyards can give bees places to rest and nest.

As our global community is planting trees, protecting forests, and teaching the youth about pollinators, these actions strengthen the relationship between humans and Mother Nature, and we are reminded that protecting biodiversity begins with simple care for the living things and all sentient beings around us.

Considering what we have explored above, World Bee Day is not only about bees. It is also about honoring our interconnectedness, awareness of a natural balance, and great respect for life on Mother Earth. Bees teach us an important lesson: small actions, repeated together, can create powerful change!

Fun Fact:
It is said that on average, a worker honeybee will produce about 0.8 gram (less than a teaspoon) of honey in her entire lifetime. Because honey is very dense, this tiny amount is equivalent to just a small drop.

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References and further reading:

https://blogs.furman.edu/greenbelt/2021/02/16/why-bees-are-essential-to-our-survival/
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/12/protect-pollinators-food-security-biodiversity-agriculture/
https://www.fao.org/world-bee-day/en
https://wifitalents.com/bee-decline-statistics/

Images sources:

Pollination process: https://blogs.furman.edu/greenbelt/2021/02/16/why-bees-are-essential-to-our-survival/
*Different bees: https://hanvandegraaf.nl/wp-content/uploads/Types-of-bees-1.webp
** Bees: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/insekten-bienen-honigbienen-nahansicht-9897673/