Every May 20th, the world observes International Bee Day, a date proclaimed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development. Often overlooked, bees are in fact vital links in the intricate chain that sustains our food system. Additionally, research suggests that bee pollination improves the quality and quantity of fruits, nuts, and oils. According research in biological sciences, the importance of pollination is not properly recognized in international policies, which is especially worrying as agriculture becomes more intensive and pollinators continue to decline.
More than 75% of the world’s food crops depend, at least partially, on pollination. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, and oil-producing plants all rely on pollinators to flourish. Among these, bees — both domesticated honeybees and wild species — are the most effective and widespread. Without their tireless work, our diets would become drastically limited, both in variety and in nutritional value.
But bees are under threat. Reported by scientific research, reductions in global bee populations are threatening the pollination benefits to both the planet and people. The widespread use of synthetic pesticides, habitat destruction due to industrial agriculture, climate change, and the spread of parasites and diseases have led to a sharp decline in bee populations worldwide. The loss of bees would not only threaten ecosystems but would also undermine food sovereignty, increase food prices, and reduce access to essential nutrients.
Protecting bees is, therefore, a direct act of supporting a sustainable, resilient, and just food system. On this International Bee Day, it is time to honor bees not just as producers of honey, but as irreplaceable allies in cultivating a healthier and more ethical future. They are silent guardians of our food system. Their survival is closely tied to the balance of nature — and ultimately, to our own.
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.