Nectr is proud to celebrate the vital role bees play on World Bee Day.
The bee not only holds a special place in our heart as the face of our brand, but they also represent change. In the same way that bees, flowers, the sun, and the rest of nature comes together in an ecosystem, so does Nectr. We’re here to be the drivers of change in renewable energy, bring communities together and empower other industries to follow in the same footsteps of keeping a cleaner, greener planet.
It's how energy was meant to bee!
In this blog, we’ll outline why bees are so important to our survival, how you can get involved with conservation efforts for our little pollinators, and showcase a short video on Nectr’s mission to clean up energy.
Why are bees important?
We need bees just as much as they need us.
Bees are often underestimated and under-appreciated in society. There is so much more to the bee than the creation of their by-products (honey and beeswax.) We’ve outlined a few reasons why the bee plays an integral role in our ecosystem and why their conservation belongs in our conversation:
Food Security
Did you know that bees help pollinate nearly two-thirds of Australia’s agriculture? This includes the crops we eat and the crops that feed other animals. That’s un-bee-liveable! The underlying factors that threaten the bee are the destruction of their natural habitats, intensive farming practices, pesticides, disease, and climate change.
Biodiversity
Globally, the earth is home to over 20,000 species of bees, and Australia is home to 2,000 species. As flora and fauna have evolved over thousands of years, certain plants will only pollinate with a particular species of bee. If that bee dies off, or there is an absence of pollination, so will the plant. Natural biodiversity is at risk without all species of bees.
Ecosystem Health
As we mentioned before, bees play an integral role for flora and fauna. But this isn’t all that pollination does for our ecosystem. By maintaining plant diversity, support for essential ecosystems that regulate climate, air, water, and soil are maintained. Without the bee, a domino effect occurs.
How can you be a part of the change?
Donate to established foundations
Organisations such as the Wheen Bee Foundation (named after the Wheen family who committed their lives to bee research and conservation) promote awareness of the importance of bees for food security, and raise funds for research that addresses the national and global threats to bees.
Plant Flowers and Trees that Attract Bees
If you have a bit of a green thumb and like to take care of your garden or herbs, then there are a few things you can do to cultivate a safer space for bees. You can follow permaculture principles (combining agriculture and sustainability together) to create an organic environment. Avoid harmful pesticides and herbicides, and instead opt for a natural fertiliser, like compost or coffee grounds. This will be beneficial to your plant growth and will not harm any bee populations that may thrive in your garden.
Support Beekeepers
Luckily for beekeepers, conservation efforts for our bees are not at an extremely concerning level. However, it is important that we maintain their efforts by donating to a local beekeeper, sponsoring a hive, or buy bee-friendly by-products straight from the source. You can find your local beekeeper by visiting the Amateur Beekeepers Australia website.
Choose organic, local, and seasonal foods
A main threat to the existence of bees is the level of intensive farming and pesticides used on crops. By supporting your local farmers market and buying organic, seasonal foods, you are supporting a sustainable supply chain that minimises these factors that affect the bee.
An extra tip: use reusable shopping bags! (Preferably sustainable totes or organic mesh bags. We recommend looking at Activated Eco’s range.)
Buy a Bee Brick!
UK-based company Green and Blue have moulded architecture and sustainability into one small object – the “bee brick.” This innovative brick is made out 75% recycled Cornish Chinese Clay and creates a haven for solitary non-swarming bees. The best part is you can use them as a stand-alone brick for your garden decorations, or as a building block for in your new/existing home.
To learn more about World Bee Day and their conservation efforts, you can visit their website here. Watch the video below to see how the bee plays an important role for Nectr, and for our ecosystem!
