Earth’s Food Crisis Bees Pollinate 87% of Crops Amid 90% Decline

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Earthwatch Institute declared bees as Earth's most important species at London's Royal Geographical Society.

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Pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hoverflies, support 87% of leading global food crops, with honeybees contributing 14% of worldwide pollination.

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Wild bee populations have declined nearly 90% over recent years due to widespread pesticide usage, deforestation, and diminishing flower resources.

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Europe shows the steepest insect population drop, while South America, South Asia, and Africa lack comprehensive data on declining numbers.

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Colony Collapse Disorder affects commercial honeybees, impacting prices with almonds costing 10 cents more per pound can.

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The EU banned Bayer's thiacloprid insecticide due to its connection with Colony Collapse Disorder in commercial bee populations.

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Turning urban gardens into pollinator havens requires less mowing, more wildflowers like allium, foxglove, and lavender.

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Studies reveal farms could slash pesticide use without compromising food production, following Sweden and France's pesticide taxation model.

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Three out of four crops producing fruit or seeds for human consumption depend on pollinators, according to FAO data.

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