Bee Engaged in Youth

Did you know there are over 20,000 species of bee in the world? Bees are under threat. Present species extinction rates are 100 to 1,000 times higher than normal due to human impacts. For centuries bees, among the hardest working creatures on the planet, have benefited people, plants and the environment. By carrying pollen from one flower to another, bees and other pollinators enable not only the production of an abundance of fruits, nuts and seeds, but also more variety and better quality, contributing to food security and nutrition. Apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honeybees. The word 'apiculture' comes from the Latin word 'apis' meaning bee. So, apiculture or beekeeping is the care and management of honey bees for the production of honey and wax. World Bee Day was established in 2017 by a United Nations resolution. The day is observed annually on May 20th at the proposal of the Government of Slovenia in order to promote actions that governments, the private sector, organizations, civil society, and citizens can take to protect bees and other pollinators and their habitats, promote their diversity, and foster sustainable beekeeping practices. Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. The United Nations (UN) states that nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity. 20 May coincides with the birthday of Anton Janša, who in the 18th century pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia. The UN adds that the goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). There are various international organizations in Geneva that are engaged in the protection and conservation of our biological diversity, including pollinators. One such is the CITES which is a multilateral agreement aiming to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants do not threaten their survival. As of today, it accords varying degrees of protection to more than 37,000 species of animals and plants, whether they are traded as live specimens or objects. Another is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN is the world’s largest conservation network with the mission to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature. The IUCN is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species. Additionally, along with coordinating the International Pollinator Initiative (IPI), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) also provides technical assistance to countries on issues ranging from queen breeding to artificial insemination to sustainable solutions for honey production and export marketing. Bee Engaged with Youth. Interestingly, the median age of beekeepers globally is 52 years. It is very clear that beekeeping is not an activity that youth gravitate towards. However, this narrative needs to change. In recognition of the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges bees and other pollinators are facing, World Bee Day 2024 focuses on the theme "Bee engaged with Youth." This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment. This year's campaign aims to raise awareness among youth and other stakeholders about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation. By engaging young people in beekeeping activities, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, we can inspire a new generation of environmental leaders and empower them to make a positive impact on the world. What is the buzz about?. Did you know that bees pollinate one-third of all the food we eat? Bees and other pollinators make it possible to grow everyday staples, like apples and almonds. Without bees, human would be left doing that pollinating work by hand. The health of pollinators is directly linked to our food security. We all know the bee basics. They are important pollinators. They make honey. They make buzz. But did you know that they also provide us with medicines and even help keep our planet beautiful and healthy? Fostering Diverse Agricultural Systems. Without a doubt more has to be done to protect our bees. Fostering more diverse agricultural systems and reducing reliance on toxic chemicals can facilitate increased pollination. This approach can improve food quality and quantity, benefiting both human populations and the ecosystem. On this World Bee Day, we can raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today. This day provides an opportunity for all of us whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity. This is important in order to achieve and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. In the words of William Shakespeare, for so work the honey bees, creatures that by a rule in nature, teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #WorldBeeDay #BeeEngagedwithYouth