On the eighth celebration of “World Bee Day,” the bees appeared unperturbed.
They should be.
For several years, bee populations and other pollinators have been decreasing, with specialists attributing this trend to multiple causes including pesticides, pests, diseases, shifting climates, and insufficient floral diversity. Many crops that humans consume rely heavily on plant life fertilized by these insects—not only domesticated honeybees but also numerous less familiar wild bee varieties, many of which now face endangerment.
In 2018, the U.N. General Assembly initiated the inaugural “World Bee Day” to highlight the challenges faced by bee populations. Simple actions such as cultivating a pollinator-friendly garden or purchasing raw honey directly from local producers were promoted.
May 20 was selected for “World Bee Day” as it coincides with the birthdate of Anton Janša, who was a trailblazer in contemporary apiculture practices in his home country of Slovenia during the 18th century.
In Germany, where bees provide €2 billion ($2.3 billion) worth of economic value, they play a crucial role in pollinating the distinctive yellow rapeseed fields that blanket the landscape during springtime.
On Tuesday, approximately 400,000 bees in urban rooftop hives in the western city of Cologne — known for its vibrant yellow flowers — were diligently producing honey.
They appeared unaware of the dangers threatening their existence. Experts such as Matthias Roth, who heads the Cologne Beekeepers Association, along with scientists and honeybee specialists, hope that World Bee Day will help increase public consciousness about these issues.
For Roth, safeguarding both honey bees – such as those in his rooftop colonies – and wild species is essential. His group has installed nesting boxes aiming to assist solitary bees, which do not live in hives. However, Roth worries that this measure may be insufficient.
On Tuesday, Roth stated, ‘It’s crucial that we look after nature. We’ve grown quite distant from it, particularly in urban areas, and we should pay special attention to protecting wild bees.’
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