Why Bees and Butterflies Matter

Pollinators like bees and butterflies play a critical role in plant reproduction. Bees are especially efficient pollinators for crops such as apples, almonds, and blueberries. Butterflies, while less prolific than bees, contribute significantly to biodiversity and the health of native plants. Without them, many fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants would disappear, leading to a ripple effect throughout ecosystems and agricultural systems.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), more than 75% of global food crops depend at least partly on pollination. The loss of these tiny workers would not only threaten food security but also impact economies and biodiversity.

The Crisis They Face

Pollinators are in trouble. Here are some key threats contributing to their decline:

1. Habitat Loss
   Urbanization, intensive agriculture, and deforestation have destroyed wildflower meadows and nesting areas, leaving pollinators without the resources they need to survive.
2. Pesticides and Chemicals
   Neonicotinoids and other pesticides impair the nervous systems of bees and butterflies, reducing their ability to forage and reproduce.
3. Climate Change
   Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns disrupt migration patterns and blooming cycles, separating pollinators from their food sources.
4. Disease and Parasites
   Bees, in particular, suffer from parasites like the Varroa mite, which weakens colonies and spreads viruses.

What We Can Do to Help

Protecting pollinators requires a concerted effort at every level—from individual actions to national policies. Here are some practical steps:

1. Plant Pollinator-Friendly Gardens

Choose native plants that bloom throughout the growing season. Avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Even a small balcony garden can provide a vital refuge.

2. Support Organic and Local Farming

Buying organic and supporting farmers who avoid harmful pesticides helps create a more sustainable agricultural system.

3. Advocate for Stronger Environmental Policies

Support legislation that bans harmful pesticides and protects wild habitats. Encourage your local representatives to fund conservation programs.

4. Educate and Raise Awareness

Teach others about the importance of pollinators. Schools, community groups, and social media can be powerful tools for change.

5. Build Nesting Sites

Leave patches of bare soil for ground-nesting bees or install bee hotels. Butterflies also benefit from sheltered spots and host plants for their larvae.

A Shared Responsibility

Bees and butterflies may be small, but their impact is enormous. Their survival is closely tied to our own. By making conscious choices and advocating for pollinator-friendly practices, we become stewards of the natural world—and ensure a thriving planet for future generations.

Saving them isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a responsibility we all share.

“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left.”
— Often attributed to Albert Einstein (though apocryphal), this quote underscores the urgency of protecting our pollinators.

Let’s act now—before it’s too late.

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Copyright © 2019–2022, Myra Nissen.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.