The value of bees
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
Pollinators allow many plants, including many food crops, to reproduce. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity - a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals. They also serve as sentinels for emergent environmental risks, signaling the health of local ecosystems.
Invasive insects, pesticides, land-use change and monocropping practices may reduce available nutrients and pose threats to bee colonies.
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
Why this date?
20 May coincides with the birthday of Anton Janša, who in the 18th century pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia and praised the bees for their ability to work so hard, while needing so little attention.
Did you know our pollinators help minimize the risk of climate change? How? Through their diversity. Pollinators have different traits and responses to various temperatures and habitats which means that we have pollinators suitable for different climates. Their diversity not only ensures pollination for current conditions but future ones as well. Protecting the diversity of pollinators can secure our future of food!
More than 75 % of the world’s food crops rely on pollination. Without bees, we wouldn’t have these nutritious foods. Bees play an essential role in keeping us and the planet healthy.
But, bees and other pollinators are under threat because of intensive agriculture, monocultures, pesticides and climate change.
The problem is BIG
Our future of food depends on us!
But YOU can do something to protect our tiny friends:
1. Grow flowering plants
2. Refrain from using insecticides
3. Teach the future generations about the importance of bees
Without bees and pollinators, 75% of the world's human food crops wouldn't exist!
But, bees and other pollinators are under threat.
Changes in land use and landscape structure, intensive agricultural practices, monocultures and use of pesticides have led to large-scale losses, fragmentation and degradation of their habitats.
Pests and diseases resulting from reduced resistance of bee colonies and from globalization, which facilitates the transmission of pests and diseases over long distances, pose a special threat.
Furthermore, climate change also has a negative impact. Higher temperatures, droughts, floods, other extreme climate events and changes of flowering time hinder pollination largely by desynchronizing the demand (flowers in bloom) with the supply of service providers (abundant and diverse populations of pollinators).
FAO carries out various activities to encourage pollinator-friendly practices in agricultural management. It provides technical assistance to countries on issues ranging from queen breeding to artificial insemination to sustainable solutions for honey production and export marketing.
World Bee Day is celebrated on 20 May each year to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators for food and agriculture.
