World Honey Bee Day: African Climate Reporters Call for Urgent Action to Protect Bees

By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Science writers under the African Climate Reporters umbrella have called for urgent global action to protect honey bees, warning that the continued decline in bee populations poses a serious threat to food production, biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

The group made the call in a statement issued to commemorate World Honey Bee Day and signed by its Head of Communication and Strategies, Ibrahima Yakubu.

Yakubu described bees as one of the world’s most important pollinators, stressing that they play a vital role in agriculture, ecosystem balance and environmental stability.

“Without bees, many crops and wild plants would struggle to survive,” he said.

The science and environmental journalist expressed concern over the steady decline in global bee populations in recent years, attributing the trend to several human and environmental factors.

According to him, the widespread use of pesticides and harmful agricultural chemicals has weakened bees, impaired their navigation systems and, in many cases, led to their death.

Yakubu also identified climate change as a major threat, noting that changing weather patterns disrupt flowering cycles and reduce food availability for bees.

He further cited habitat destruction caused by urbanization, deforestation and land degradation as factors reducing the natural environments where bees live and reproduce.

The statement added that diseases and parasites, particularly the Varroa mite, continue to devastate bee colonies across the world, while pollution and poor environmental practices have further worsened the situation.

“Human activities that ignore ecological balance continue to put these essential pollinators at risk,” Yakubu warned.

To reverse the decline, the African Climate Reporters urged farmers to adopt environmentally friendly farming practices and reduce dependence on harmful pesticides.

The group also called on governments and environmental organisations to introduce stronger policies aimed at protecting bee habitats and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Yakubu stressed the importance of community participation in conservation efforts, encouraging individuals to plant trees and bee-friendly flowers in homes, schools and public spaces to provide food and shelter for bees.

He said public awareness campaigns and environmental education remained critical in promoting understanding of the importance of bees and biodiversity.

Yakubu further urged research institutions to intensify studies on bee diseases and the impact of climate change in order to develop effective conservation measures.
He advised individuals to support local beekeepers, avoid pollution and help preserve natural ecosystems.

“On this World Honey Bee Day, let us all join hands to protect honey bees and preserve the balance of nature. Saving the bees means securing our future, our food systems, and the health of our planet,” he said.