Don’t step on a bee tomorrow

 . . . . . .  or today or any other day! 

Our bees are declining and if they disappear, as two species already have in the UK, then we risk creating a world without flora. There has been a 45% decline in ‘commercial’ bees in the UK since 2010, and it is happening in north America and Europe too. Bees are an essential part of the eco-system, with up to 90% of wild plants existing because of them and other pollinating insects. It is not just our wild flora they pollinate; a third of all our food is pollinated by bees and other insects. Without bees humans would have to pollinate our fruit trees and crops, but we are not very good at pollination. That became very apparent to me yesterday as I tried to photograph the honey bees in my garden. We are much much slower, quite awkward at times and definitely too big!

We need to Save Our Bees. The good news is the British government did recently turn down a second request by the National Farming Union to use bee-harming pesticides, however this was the second request. They could ask again, and I’m sure other governments are also under pressure to lift pesticide bans. So as tomorrow is ‘Don’t Step on a Bee‘ day I’m asking all my lovely followers and the wonderful Six Word Saturday community for help (my title was six Cate!). As well as avoiding stepping on bees today and in the future, could you take a moment or two to do one or more of the following;

1. Buy locally produced honey or even adopt a beehive thereby supporting beekeepers in maintaining the bees we still have.
2. Plant native and bee friendly flowers in your garden,even if it is just a few in pots in the yard or window boxes. Visit here for ideas on what flowers to plant or make a small donation to Friends of the Earth and receive a Bee Saver Kit.
3. Help highlight the crisis by signing a petition or sharing this post. There is clear evidence that insecticides are the main cause for the decline but climate change, industrial style agriculture, and destruction of habitat also play a huge part. Big business and governments can all help eliminate these causes or at least encourage ecological farming practice which helps bees. However we need to encourage big businesses and governments to do this. By signing a petition, telling friends about the crisis and/or writing to your MP you can help keep this issue high on the agenda for action. Go on do 1, 2 or 3 (or all 3) and help make a difference.

But whatever you do, don’t step on a bee!