What's The Buzz About Bees Being Basically Essential To Our Planet?
Believe it or not but 1/3rd of the world's food production depends on bees. There are around 20,000 species of bees that exist in this world and around an 85million hives produce about 1.6 million tonnes of honey annually.
POLLINATION: BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Bees are the most common pollinators. Pollinators contribute directly to food security. When animals and insects pick up the pollen of flowers and spread it, they allow plants including many food crops, to reproduce.
Medicinal wares
Despite the fact that honey is a major reason bee are valued, not all bees make it. It has been used for centuries and is a safe, all-natural sweetener.
For thousands of years, humans have relied on bees and bee-related items for health and healing. Claims that it contains antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer qualities have been documented by reputable researchers.
Traditional medicine uses honey for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Many of these applications, however, lack supporting evidence and include:
Eye problems, Infections of the Throat and Bronchial Airway
tuberculosis \sthirst \shiccups
fatigue \dizziness
hepatitis \constipation
invasion of worms
eczema \ulcers
wounds, etc.
Historically, humans have also used beeswax for both waterproofing and as a fire source. It's now used in a variety of skincare products and provides health advantages. In addition, it's used in medicinal ointments, thus it's a trusted source for healing.
Researchers in 2020 found that melittin, a component of honeybee venom, was able to destroy cancer cells.
BEEING GRATEFUL
Wax- Produced by worker honeybees, bees wax is used in a multitude of products from candles to lip balm & beyond.
Propolis- A mixture of tree resin & bee secretion, valued for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Royal Jelly- Produced by nurse worker bees to feed larvae & the queen bee, sold as a health food due to its curative properties.
BUZZKILL AIR POLLUTION
Preliminary research suggests that air pollution interacts with scent molecules released by plants which bees need to locate food.
The tampered signals interfere with the bee's activity, making them slower and less effective at pollination.
BUZZKILL AIR PESTICIDES
Over recent decades, bee populations have been declining globally due to habitat loss, changes in weather patterns, intensive farming practices and the excessive use of agrochemicals such as pesticides.
SWEET VICTORIES
In May 2018, the EU upheld a partial ban on three insecticides known as neonicotinoids to mitigate the lethal threat they pose to bees.
The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) is expected to finalize the post-2020 biodiversity framework, calling for the reduction of pesticides by at least 2/3rds by 2030.
A BEEAUTIFUL DAY [MAY 20: WORLD BEE DAY]
To encourage governments, organizations, civil society and concerned citizens to protect pollinators & their habitats.
" Now is a time to re-think how we can support bees and the livelihood and system they, in turn, support."
BEE ENGAGED
1. Plant nectar-bearing flowers such as marigolds or sunflowers.
2. Cut grass on meadows only after the nectar-bearing plants have finished blooming.
3. Use pesticides that do not harm bees.
4. Buy honey and other hive products from your nearest local beekeeper.