Opinion Editoral

The bees need help

One of every three bites of food eaten worldwide depends on pollinators for a successful harvest, but the bee population is declining fast.

Bee populations have rapidly declined since 2005 due to pesticides, fertilizers, biodiversity loss and deforestation. A June 2019 study found that beekeepers had lost over 40% of their bee colonies over the past year, mostly due to pesticides found in plants.

Although bee populations have made some recovery, population numbers are still declining. Bill H.R.1337, Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2019, would require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a Pollinator Protection Board, which would independently review pesticides that threaten pollinators and their habitats.

Pesticides such as neonicotinoids attack the nerve cells of insects, often changing behavior and killing insects directly. Seventy-five percent of honey samples from around the world have traces of neonicotinoid chemicals. Establishing a separate board dedicating to protecting pollinators from similar pesticides is crucial to the survival of bees.

There are also many ways individuals can help local bee populations. People can help save the bees from home by planting a bee-friendly garden or trees. Lavender, rosemary, sage and sunflowers are known to help bee health and habitats. Researchers also suggest ditching synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and opting for natural solutions such as compost. Supporting local bees, beekeepers and legislation that protects bees can help save the bees.

Guillermo Fernandez, founder and executive director of The Bee Conservancy, is a graduate of the Cornell University Master Beekeeping program and has over 20 years of experience in beekeeping.

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Contact information:

Rebecca Herin

rherin@beeconservancy.com

855-555-6767

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