We Need Birds and Bees

A study reveals the tangible impact of a world without pollinators

As we sit back and consider the decline in pollinators, a recent study published in The Lancet paints a disturbing picture of a world without birds, bees and the various critters that contribute to our food supply.
If the planet’s pollinators—which include everything from butterflies and fruit bats to possums, lemurs and geckos—were to disappear, 71 million people in low-income countries would become vitamin A deficient. Meanwhile, the 2.2 billion people already not getting enough vitamin A would face even more problems, as the nutrient is essential for vision, a healthy immune system and cell growth.

In that same situation, 173 million people in low-income countries would become folate deficient, and an additional 1.2 billion people already lacking adequate folate in their diets would experience further declines in the vitamin.

The loss of all pollinators would reduce the global supply of fruit by 23 percent, vegetables by 16 percent, and seeds and nuts by 22 percent. The result would be worldwide food shortages and a spike in malnutrition and nutrition-related illnesses.
Wealthier nations would likely be able to pay more to ensure a solid food supply, while poorer countries would bear the brunt of the losses.


Experts estimate that deaths from these problems would increase by about 1.4 million people annually. Although the loss of all pollinators is an unlikely scenario, there has been a marked decline in the little critters that drag pollen from plant stamens to plant stigmas, fertilizing them and enabling the production of fruits and seeds.


Since 2006, U.S. honeybee colonies have experienced losses of about 30 percent annually, while here in Canada, some regions, like Ontario, have seen colony-collapse rates as high as 58 percent (for more on this, see “What’s Killing Our Country Bees?” in the 2016 Harrowsmith’s Almanac). Meanwhile, there have been significant declines in wild pollinator populations across North America, Europe and Asia, including several species that are now extinct.

The Harrowsmith Team
The Harrowsmith Team

Harrowsmith is the farm-to-condo go-to for living sustainably and simply. Our mission is to offer a down-to-earth Canadian perspective on topics of gardening, home and design, travel and culture, food, health, wellness and the environment.

Posted on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Tagged: Bees | Birds

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