Every May 20, World Bee Day commemorates the indispensable contribution of bees and other pollinators to our ecosystems and food security. This date is significant as it honors Anton Janša, a Slovenian innovator in modern beekeeping, who was born on May 20, 1734 and pioneered the world’s first beekeeping school. Bees not only produce honey and wax, but also play a crucial role in pollination, facilitating the transfer of pollen between plants, essential for fertilization and reproduction. Their pollination efforts impact 75% of the world’s crops and 90% of wildflowering plants, fostering biodiversity, climate resilience and human livelihoods. However, bees and other pollinators face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, diseases, invasive species, and climate change, endangering their survival and diversity.

World Bee Day aims to raise awareness of these challenges and advocate for actions to protect and preserve bees and their habitats, such as planting bee-friendly flowers, avoiding pesticides, and supporting local beekeepers. This annual celebration serves to highlight the critical role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining a healthy planet while shedding light on the obstacles they face, such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change. . Here are some ways you can participate in this important cause:

Below are some ways to support bees and pollinators:

– Plant bee-friendly flowers: Choose flowers that attract bees, such as lavender, sunflowers and wildflowers, to provide them with food and shelter.
– Avoid pesticides: Reduce or eliminate the use of harmful pesticides in your garden and opt for natural alternatives to protect bees and other beneficial insects.
– Support local beekeepers: purchase honey and other bee products from local beekeepers to help sustain their livelihoods and maintain bee populations.
– Educate youth: involve young people in beekeeping activities and conservation efforts as they are the future stewards of our environment.
– Remember, you don’t have to be a beekeeper to make a difference. Even small actions collectively contribute to the well-being of bees and pollinators! 🐝🌼

The annual celebration of World Bee Day helps raise awareness of the crucial role that bees and other pollinators play in maintaining human and environmental health. Since its inception in 2018, World Bee Day, celebrated on May 20, underlines the importance of bees and pollinators, while highlighting the challenges they face. This global initiative was spearheaded by the Government of Slovenia with the support of Apimondia, leading to the UN General Assembly declaration on May 20 as World Bee Day.

Currently, there is a notable decline in the abundance of bees, pollinators and other insects. This occasion serves as an opportunity for people from different sectors, including governments, organisations, civil society and concerned citizens, to advocate for measures that safeguard and enrich pollinators and their habitats. It is crucial to improve their abundance and diversity while promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, considering the indispensable role that bees and other pollinators play in maintaining global agriculture and biodiversity. Despite their importance, these species face challenges derived from human activities such as the destruction of their habitat, the use of pesticides and the impacts of climate change.

Recognizing the critical role that young people can play in addressing these challenges, World Bee Day 2024 emphasizes the theme “Bees Committed to Youth.” This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future custodians of our environment. The campaign aims to raise awareness among young people and other stakeholders about the critical role of bees and other pollinators in agriculture, ecological harmony and the preservation of biodiversity. By engaging youth through beekeeping initiatives, educational programs and advocacy campaigns, the goal is to inspire a new generation of environmental advocates and empower them to achieve positive change on a global scale.

We all know the fundamental aspects of bees: their fundamental role as pollinators, their ability to produce honey and their characteristic hum. They are also known to be friendly companions during picnics. However, did you realize that bees contribute beyond these basic aspects? They provide us with medicinal products and contribute to the beauty and well-being of our planet.