Hooray, at last the Summer appears to have arrived in Dorset and most of the UK (best not speak too soon though!!!). I love seeing all the lovely wild flowers and little flying creatures in the fields, gardens and hedgerows, but have definitely noticed that there just aren’t half as many bees as there were when I was younger!
But in case you hadn’t noticed, British bees are in trouble and apparently 3 bumblebee species are already extinct which is very sad indeed. And, we need bees!
Friends of the Earth and the Co-operative are just two groups currently campaigning to raise awareness of the plight of our British bees, and ultimately, their survival affects the whole planet!
Many factors are believed to be causing bees’ decline – from habitat loss, to disease, to climate change. There is also growing evidence that some pesticides harm bees.
Thankfully, we can save bees… and that’s what Friend’s of the Earth’s ‘The Bee Cause’ campaign is all about, plus The Co-operative’s ‘Plan Bee’ campaign aims to address the decline in pollinators including bees, butterflies and moths.
Friend’s of the Earth’s ‘The Bee Cause’ campaign
Friends of the Earth are campaigning on bees because we need bees! Bees are essential to our food supply, economy and quality of life:
- Bees pollinate 75% of our most vital crops and favorite foods.
- Without bees and other insects we’d also have 20% less vitamin C, 41% less vitamin A and 9% less calcium.
- Without bees it would cost UK farmers £1.8 billion a year to pollinate our crops.
- That’s more than it costs farmers to produce all the milk consumed in the UK every year.
- They’re essential to our gardens, parks and countryside.
- Bees and other insects help pollinate over 75% of our plants, which in turn are vital to our insects, birds and animals.
Thankfully, they believe that people are the solution… People means the Government, so you can sign their petition to ask David Cameron to adopt a National Bee Action Plan. Let’s ensure the way we farm our food, plan our towns and cities, and protect our wildlife, is better for bees.
People also means you! You can plant bee-friendly flowers, buy local honey or go on a Bee Walk. You can help bees at home, out and about, or in schools.
Please join The Bee Cause. And help save Britain’s bees.
For more information visit Friends of the Earth’s website: http://www.foe.co.uk/what_we_do/the_bee_cause_35033.html
The Co-operative’s ‘Plan Bee’ campaign
The Co-operative launched ‘The Pollinator’, a FREE iPhone game, which allows people to learn about how to help bees in real life by following the tips given at the end of each level.
They launched Plan Bee in 2009 to help address this alarming decline of honeybee numbers which had fallen by up to 30%. In 2011, as part of our revolutionary Ethical Plan, the campaign was extended to address the decline of other ‘at risk’ pollinators such as bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and moths. There are currently six at risk bumblebees including the shrill and red-shanked carder bees. In addition, 72% of butterfly species are also in decline.
‘The Pollinator’ game for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, is available to download now and allows you to become ‘The Pollinator’ – a bee sent back from the future to save other bees from extinction.
For more information visit the Plan Bee website: http://www.co-operative.coop/Plan-Bee/
