Photo: El Gritche
Let's be honest: If bees and butterflies go extinct, we're in trouble. These little bugs do way more than just buzz around, they are responsible for pollinating most of our food plants. Pollinators equal food, or in this case, no pollinators, no food. You can already see this happening in Europe. Almost 100 species of wild bees are almost gone and butterflies are going absent faster than we can see.
The new assessment shows that the conservation status of wild bees, butterflies, and other European pollinators is dire. These species are the foundation of our food systems, our ecosystems, and our societies. Tackling this threat requires urgent and collective action. Together with Member States, the European Commission has established an EU-wide pollinator monitoring system, based on the EU Nature Restoration Law, which will help track the progress made, said Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy.
Why is this happening? Farming is farming out of control. There are pesticides everywhere. Forests and meadows are gone. Fields are filled with the same crops, and nothing wild is left. Times are changing, and the climate is changing more than the times. Droughts. Fire. Seasons all messed up. These bugs are not in a fair fight.
Up to 90% of flowering plants in Europe depend on animal pollination, particularly by bees, which are highly diverse in both number and species — says Denis Michez, professor at the University of Mons and lead coordinator of the assessment on European wild bees — Unfortunately, wild bee populations are in sharp decline and cannot easily be replaced by managed colonies, which make up less than 1% of existing species and have been selected mainly for their ability to produce honey or pollinate crops. If wild bees disappear, many wild plants could also be at risk, flower-rich meadows and beautiful orchid species are just a few examples.
If you are vegan or care even a little bit about animals or the planet, pay attention. A plant based diet is a big help, but it relies on healthy ecosystems. This means supporting organic, local and low impact farms helps bugs. You aren't just not eating meat; you are saving bugs that keep plant life alive.
Everything is connected. No bees. No butterflies. No food. No future. Don't wait for some government policy. What we eat and promote makes a difference every day.
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This post has been shared on Reddit by @davideownzall through the HivePosh initiative.