Happy World Bee Day! Or, better stated to this year’s message: Happy Pollinators Day!
The United Nations designated May 20 in 2017 after it was proposed by Slovenia and the nonprofit organization, Apimondia, to recognize the vital role bees and all pollinators play in food security, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. May 20 was chosen to celebrate the work of Anton Janša, a pioneer in beekeeping.
Janša was born in 1734 in the village of Breznica, Slovenia, he was deeply involved in beekeeping from a young age, thanks to his family’s tradition. Janša made significant contributions to the field, particularly through his innovative techniques and practices that improved the efficiency and productivity of beekeeping. Even nearly 300 years ago, he advocated for sustainable beekeeping practices including moving beehives to pastures where they would do the most good for the environment.
Apimondia, also known as the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, is a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing beekeeping and bee science. Established in 1895, Apimondia serves as a platform for beekeepers, scientists, and policymakers to share knowledge, research, and best practices related to apiculture. The organization aims to improve beekeeping practices, enhance honey production, and protect bee health and biodiversity.
This year, the UN’s World Bee Day’s theme is “Bee Engaged with Youth.” This theme underscores the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as future stewards of our environment. This year’s campaign aims to raise awareness among youth and other stakeholders about the essential role of bees and pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation. The UN hopes that the theme will invite youth to engage in beekeeping activities, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders and empower them to make a positive impact on the world.
Anton Janša on a 1973 Yugoslavian stamp. Drawing by Božidar Jakac – Public Domain
The UN was also cautious to include all pollinators. Honeybees are not native to the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, or the Pacific Islands. Humans have spread honeybees throughout the world because they are valued for their efficient pollination and of course honey.
But honeybees also displace native pollinators around the world. “There are likely more honeybees on the planet now than there ever have been in history,” said Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, a nonprofit that advocates for pollinator conservation. “There’s not a conservation concern.” He added that the honeybees are not declining but native pollinators are facing extinction.
Bumblebee pollinating a flower- Photo Credit: S. Ciotti.
In its annual message, The UN said that human activities continue to threaten pollinators. They wrote:
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.
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.
The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.
We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.
They also noted that pollinators promote more diverse agricultural systems and reduce our reliance on toxic chemicals. The UN believes this approach will improve food quality and quantity, benefiting both human populations and the ecosystem.
Much of the food we eat depends on bees 🐝.
These guardians of biodiversity play a key role in achieving the #GlobalGoals.
Learn more from @FAO on Monday’s #WorldBeeDay: https://t.co/cF3XR6DfwV pic.twitter.com/6UCBEkV0Ng
— United Nations (@UN) May 20, 2024
In an interview with Target Zero Hunger, Barbara Gemmill-Herren, the former Focal Point of the International Pollinator Initiative and Global Pollination Project Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, said, “Most of the plants that are richest in micro-nutrients are that ones that are dependent on the pollinators. In the end, it becomes very fundamental to our foodstuffs. Unfortunately, as we have gone on with agricultural development we have farm fields that have become larger, we use agricultural chemicals, and we do see that pollination services show declining trends around the world”
She also warned that the use of chemicals impacts pollinators, “Certainly in the US and Europe where we have an agricultural system that has large, large fields with little diversity, and through the use of agricultural chemicals we do see declining trends in a number of important pollinator taxa.”
The UN offered some suggestions on how to support pollinators an their advocates:
Individually by:
- planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year;
- buying raw honey from local farmers;
- buying products from sustainable agricultural practices;
- avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our gardens;
- protecting wild bee colonies when possible;
- sponsoring a hive;
- making a bee water fountain by leaving a water bowl outside;
- helping sustaining forest ecosystems;
- raising awareness around us by sharing this information within our communities and networks; The decline of bees affects us all!
As beekeepers, or farmers by:
- reducing, or changing the usage of pesticides;
- diversifying crops as much as possible, and/or planting attractive crops around the field;
- creating hedgerows.
As governments and decision-makers by:
- strengthening the participation of local communities in decision-making, in particular that of indigenous people, who know and respect ecosystems and biodiversity;
- enforcing strategic measures, including monetary incentives to help change;
- increasing collaboration between national and international organizations, organizations and academic and research networks to monitor and evaluate pollination services.
Of course, there are spiritual beings, deities, and cultural heroes of bees and beekeeping.
Ah-Muzen-Cab: A deity associated with bees and honey, Ah-Muzen-Cab was revered by the Maya civilization. He is often depicted as a bee god who played a significant role in the agricultural practices of the Maya.
Bhramari: A manifestation of Parvati, Bhramari is associated with bees. She is depicted with bees all around her and is invoked to help with issues related to insects and bees.
Melissa: A nymph associated with bees and honey, Melissa is often linked to the nurturing of bees and the production of honey. Her name means “honeybee” in Greek and her origins are likely Minoan.
Aristaeus: The son of Apollo and Cyrene, he is considered a protector of shepherds and pastoral life and the patron of beekeeping, honey, cheesemaking, olive culture, and mead.
Happy World Bee Day!
Hail the pollinators!
Want to read more? Here are few stories and columns TWH has shared about bees:
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