On the occasion of World Bee Day, FAO Director-General Graziano da Silva has released a video message to raise awareness among governments and citizens, urging action against the die-off of a species that is invaluable to the entire planet.
The global decline in bee populations represents a serious threat to a wide number of plants that are vital to human wellbeing and livelihoods, and for this reason countries around the world should do more to protect these precious allies in the fight against hunger and malnutrition: this is the message put forward by the FAO, the United Nations organisation for food and agriculture, and its Director-General José Graziano da Silva to mark the World Bee Day celebrated every 20 May.
In a video message, Graziano da Silva explains that "bees are seriously threatened by the combined effects of climate change, intensive agriculture, pesticide use, biodiversity loss and pollution." He also warns of the possible consequences of a decline in the population of these precious insects: "Without bees and other pollinators, coffee, apples, almonds, tomatoes and cocoa would disappear from our tables – to name just a few foods that depend on pollination. Countries must adopt more sustainable, pollinator-friendly food systems and policies."
The FAO's appeal is directed not only at policymakers, but also at ordinary citizens: "Even growing flowers on your balcony at home contributes to this cause." The United Nations agency underlines that the number of bees and other pollinators is falling in various parts of the world, primarily due to intensive agriculture, monocultures, the excessive use of chemical agricultural inputs and rising temperatures caused by climate change.
