Bees are essential to life on Earth—and right now, they need our support.
This year Hurricane Ian struck Florida and left an ecological disaster in its wake. In addition to the substantial damage to homes and businesses, this massive storm wiped out much of the natural forage used to feed pollinators, leaving the bee populations who did survive at risk of starving. Losing these colonies would permanently wreak havoc on our country's food supply.
Here are three important reasons to care about bees—and why Greater Good Charities is working to protect them.
1. Honeybees are responsible for about 1/3 of food eaten by Americans
Bees are responsible for pollinating 75% of the world's flowering plants and 35% of the world’s crops. In the U.S., that translates to one out of every three bites of food.
A single bee colony can pollinate as many as 3 million flowers in a single day, helping to grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we rely on. The global economic value of pollinators is estimated at $235 to $577 billion annually.
Up close photo of Honeybee on a black mirrored surface.
© Dadant & Sons
2. Without bees, the food chain would deteriorate
Bees are vital to our ecosystem. Research shows that over 100,000 species of plants would become extinct if the pollinating function of bees was to cease. That includes crops like apples, pumpkins, squash, and broccoli, as well as many wild plants that serve as the foundation of diverse ecosystems.
The importance of bees explained through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include quantity and quality of food, nutrition and medicine, inclusive communities, biofuels, forest conservation and regrowth, health and diverse ecosystems, economic opportunities, and innovation and inspiration.
© Patel, V., Pauli, N., Biggs, E. et al.
3. Bees Give Us More Than Food—they Support Wellness
Beyond pollination, bees provide honey—a natural resource with a long history in traditional medicine. Honey has been used for treating burns, sore throats, and wounds, and offers natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Protecting bees means protecting both nutrition and healing resources that communities have relied on for generations.
Want to Help the Bees?
Greater Good Charities is helping to feed the bees in Florida after the devastation of Hurricane Ian has left over a billion bees hungry. We're working with local partners like the Florida State Beekeepers Association and the Florida Beekeepers Research Foundation Inc. to rush emergency supplies of sugar syrup and pollen directly to Florida.
Bee Boxes floating in water due to the destruction of Hurricane Ian.
©Florida State Beekeepers Association
You can help keep colonies sustained while honey bee forage material regrows. With your help, Greater Good Charities will provide over 400,000 pounds of sugar syrup, as well as 77,750 pounds of pollen replacement to help these essential creatures make a full recovery from the storm. Every dollar helps, and a tax-deductible gift of just $15 will feed a hive of bees for 2 months.
