Threats to pollinators put food security at risk

Bees are facing a new siege. In addition to habitat loss and climate change, a new wave of threats — more subtle, more diffuse — is silently advancing on pollinators on a global scale. War, microplastics and light pollution are among the twelve emerging factors highlighted in a report released this Tuesday (20/5) by Bee:wild, an international campaign dedicated to pollinator conservation, with scientific support from the University of Reading, in the United Kingdom.

The document warns that the collapse of pollinator populations directly compromises human food security. Almost 90% of flowering plants and more than three-quarters of food crops on the planet depend on agents such as bees, butterflies, bats and birds to reproduce.

The survey identified the risks with the greatest potential impact over the next 5 to 15 years. At the top of the list, the report highlights the simplification of crops imposed by armed conflicts.

A recent example is the war in Ukraine, which forced farmers to abandon crop diversity, drastically reducing the food supply for pollinators throughout the seasons.

Another silent danger is directly infiltrating the nests: microplastic particles have been detected in honeybee colonies across Europe. Among the materials identified, PET — the same material found in plastic bottles — has proven to be ubiquitous. These contaminants threaten the health and longevity of the insects.

Nighttime light pollution compromises the work of nocturnal pollinators, such as moths. Experiments indicate that flower visits decrease by up to 62% when there is intense artificial light. This directly interferes with the fertilization of plants that depend on the night to reproduce.

The report also highlights the side effects of poorly designed environmental policies. For example, the massive planting of non-flowering trees with an exclusive focus on carbon capture can reduce the supply of pollen and nectar.

Mining for metals used in batteries, such as lithium and cobalt, destroys essential habitats. The frequent burning of natural areas, intensified by climate change, is worsening this scenario of devastation.

In light of this scenario, the report points to ways forward. Among the proposed solutions are strengthening laws against antibiotic pollution, encouraging electric vehicles to reduce harmful emissions, cultivating plants with better nutritional value for bees, and using solar parks as flower-rich habitats.

Initiatives such as the development of selective pesticides based on RNAi, which prevent damage to beneficial insects, are also gaining prominence. The use of artificial intelligence to monitor populations and pests and the valorization of stingless bees, which are crucial for pollination in tropical areas, complete the list.

“This is not just about saving bees,” warns Professor Simon Potts, who led the study. “They underpin food systems, climate resilience and the economic security of entire populations. Protecting pollinators is protecting ourselves.”

More information at beewild.rewild.org