In the UK alone, honeybee colonies have fallen by 50% in the past 20 years.
Bees work incredibly hard for us and experts have warned that by 2018 it’s possible that bees could disappear almost entirely from Britain.
The decline of the bees may well be "the next global warming".
Sarah Orecchia, founder of Unbeelievable Health, states why bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem.
Bees help feed us
Aside from plants and trees, bees pollinate a third of everything we eat. They also pollinate grasses that cows and other animals need in order to survive.
Bees and wild pollinators are responsible for pollinating 84% of EU crops.
They give us two of life's great pleasures
Pollinators like bees are responsible for creating coffee and chocolate.
Without bees, we'd be stuck eating only wild-pollinated crops like wheat and corn.
They clothe us
Those who don't like wearing polyester will be interested to know that bees pollinate cotton and other natural fibres.
Bees create beautiful surroundings
Aside from flowers, many people don’t realise that bees also pollinate numerous trees including chestnuts, fruit trees and many nut trees.
Trees are the lungs of the earth, so they not only provide shade and beauty but also help us to breathe.
They help keep us healthy
Bee propolis, a resin bees collect from tree and plant buds, has been the subject of more than 1,500 studies and has been used since Egyptian times for human health.
It has been shown to boost immunity and to have natural antibiotic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Bees energise us
Both bee pollen and Royal Jelly are amazing and highly nutritious natural substances, which have been shown to reduce fatigue and improve health and energy levels.
Beekeeping is fun
For anyone who has a little bit of extra time and some outdoor space, keeping bees is hugely rewarding.
Beekeepers are crucial when it comes to sustaining and increasing honeybee populations.
They give us beautiful skin
Loads of natural skincare companies are including bee products in their formulas. Honey helps heal skin and is also a popular skincare ingredient.
Recent studies show that propolis may help prevent melanomas which is why it is starting to be included in sunscreens. It has also been shown to be helpful for eczema and acne.
Many drinks these days are being sweetened with honey and there’s been a real surge in Mead wines, honey spirits and honey beer.
We need bees to survive
There is no doubt that bees are crucial for our survival. In the UK alone, honeybee colonies have fallen by 50% in the last 20 years.
In 2012 the UK experienced the greatest loss of bee colonies in recorded history. Einstein is said to have observed that if we loose bees we may only have 4 years left to live.
With modern technology we may have longer than that, but bees are truly elemental for humans to thrive and we’d be in serious trouble without them.