Bees have done more for humans than they get credit for…. No wonder Barry B. Benson wanted to sue us. Yes, that was a Bee Movie reference. That’s why we celebrate World Bee Day every year on the 20th of May. In 2017, the United Nations declared this national event which marks the birthday of beekeeping’s pioneer Anton Janša. It’s a day all about raising awareness of the importance of bees, their function in our ecosystem and biodiversity, as well as the dangers we face from bee extinction.

So, since a lot of us didn’t pay much attention in GCSE biology, here’s the lowdown of how bees have been helping us out. 

What do bees do for us?

Bees are natural conservationists and are essential for the functioning of our planet. 90% of flowering plants and 70% of the crops we eat rely on pollinators like bees, for their pollination process. Meaning that every year they contribute around £155 billion to our global economy… and we don’t even pay them. But, no one pollinator can pollinate everything, so the diversity of this species is vital for biodiversity. There are almost 20,000 species of bee worldwide, and since the 90s the UK has already lost as many as 17 species, with another 25 threatened. 

Why are bees struggling?

Bees struggle to keep up with the environmental changes caused by climate change. Species such as bumble bees can do their work in hard weather conditions, but those like the honeybee can’t do their amazing work in the rain. And if you live in the UK and are like me and don’t own a raincoat, you know that we spend a large percent of our time getting soaked by the rain.

Whilst some bees have adapted to the changing conditions by relocating to more suitable climates,  it's not certain that all bee species will be able to adapt like this.

Intense farming has led to mass deforestation and the destruction of old meadows, which, as a result, has landed bees on the endangered list. Bees are struggling to find sustainable habitats in the wild, and are now having to rely on protected wildlife sites... which, if our daily lockdown walks have taught us anything, are not always in very good condition.

What can we do to help?

1 Raise awareness about bees and their essential role in our ecosystem. Follow wbeeday or saviourbees on Instagram and hashtags like #SavetheBees for updates about bees and fun ways that you can raise awareness in your community about their importance.

2 Plant nectar-bearing flowers in your garden, or if you live in the city, on your balconies.  Bees love flowering plants like lavender, lungwort and monarda. They even love herbs such as sage, rosemary and chives which can also be used in delicious home-cooked meals. Plant Savers have a great selection of pre-potted plants, all the benefits of a beautiful garden without having to wait for them to grow. To find more bee-friendly plants and flowers you can incorporate in your garden check out this resource.

3 Support your local beekeeper by buying bee-related products from them. Honeybees are affected by colony collapse disorder, a strange phenomenon when all of the worker bees abandon the hive, leaving just the queen and immature bees behind. When you purchase products such as honey and beeswax from your local beekeeper, you are also supporting healthy conditions for honeybee colonies. You can use online tools such as this to find your closest beekeeper. 

4 Be bee-safe by purchasing produce that does not use pesticides and shopping from bee-friendly companies. Neonicotinoids are used on many crops to deter bugs, and have harmful effects on insects like bees, as they affect the insect’s nervous system which prevents them from performing tasks needed to survive. Sign this petition that is calling the UK government to uphold EU bans of neonicotinoid pesticides.  We have a range of brands like Hilltop Honey that support and give back to the honeybee, and Pretty Bee Fresh. 

This year’s World Bee Day theme is all about Bee(ing) Engaged, and building back better for bees. So, bee creative and get involved. And don’t forget to share and tag us in your garden of bee-dens… ok, I’ll stop with the bee puns now.

Words by Leonie Carver