Why wouldn't we survive on Earth without bees? Here's why they're so important.

Bees are a very important insect species , one we depend on for our survival . This is because they are the planet's greatest pollinators and also contribute to biodiversity. Why wouldn't we be able to survive on the planet without bees?

Bees primarily provide high-quality foods such as pollen, honey, and even royal jelly. In many cultures, these insects highlight their role in nature, according to a 2019 report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

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In this context, beekeeping has become an important source of income . Beehives worldwide produce 1.6 million tons of bees, according to information published by the United Nations Environment Programme. "According to bee experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), one-third of global food production depends on bees," the aforementioned organization stated.

Along the same lines, when insects and other animal species take pollen from plants, they allow different crops to reproduce.

Why would bees be in danger?

Human activities have evidently exposed pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. “Bee populations have declined worldwide in recent decades due to habitat loss, intensive agricultural practices, changes in weather patterns, and the overuse of agrochemicals such as pesticides . This, in turn, poses a threat to a variety of plants essential to human well-being and livelihoods,” the aforementioned organization notes. (See more: Citizen Income and VAT Refund: When do beneficiaries receive their money transfers?) On the other hand, some research has concluded that air pollution can significantly affect this class of insects. “Mixed signals interfere with bees' ability to forage efficiently , making them slower and less effective at pollinating,” they noted. Therefore, improvements in trade regulation could reduce the risk of unintentional harm to approximately 20,000 bee species.