Report: One In Ten Euro Bees Faces Extinction

Bee Pendant from Ancient Crete

With the spring equinox nearly upon us, thoughts easily turn to flowers and their natural partners, the bee. While alert Americans understand the survival crisis bees face in the US, what's less well known is the extent of the collapse of bee colonies in Europe.

Today's online version of the BBC reported that some experts believe one in ten native European bees face extinction. This grim finding, from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), suggests a brewing ecological crisis may severely impact the Old World's plant, animal, and human life. The BBC story, similar to American reporting, puts agricultural and economic losses front and center. Those are undeniably significant issues. However, a far greater disaster looms with the disappearance of these vital species. Bees have appeared over the centuries as mythological characters, valued food producers, and vital pollinators. Their impact on human psychology and spirit is far more significant than the creation of a parade of algorithms-of-the-week. The extinction of bee species subtracts something wonderful from our souls, a spirit that once lost cannot be replaced.

What can be done to reverse the decline in bee colonies? While no reputable source has a comprehensive, satisfying answer, it's fair to say that reduced pesticide use would be a good start.