Protecting pollinators is critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems and human food supply. Bees, for example, pollinate 70 out of the top 100 crops globally. And roughly 1 in 3 bites of food we eat is derived from plants pollinated by bees. Unfortunately, modern pesticides are killing bees. In 1947 there were 6 million honeybee hives in the US. Today, there are under 3 million.
#WhyItMatters Pollinators—from bees to bats to birds and more—are directly responsible for growing new generations of plants and foods. According to the US Forest Service, around 80% of the world’s flowering plants requires pollinators to reproduce. Let’s face it—that’s a job humans can’t take on!
How can we help? Some cities offer tax incentives to manage your own bee hive. You can also support native plants in your yard, balcony, or rooftop. Why? Habitat loss—as humans develop land for infrastructure, homes, businesses, etc—removes the breeding grounds, migratory stops, and food for pollinator populations and diminishes their chance for survival.
You can also learn more at beesponsible.com or watch some fun, short documentaries, available through the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital, called ‘Portrait of an Urban Beekeeper’ and ‘Pollinators Under Pressure.’
Maggie Dewane 