In my second report this month I would like to mention another film which raised some environmental issues that we face today. The “Bee Movie” is a good example of an attempt to demonstrate the importance of our symbiosis with nature to small children and their parents. Although a target audience of the film are youngsters, I am sure older ones will take pleasure from watching it.

The film presents a story where bees stop preparing honey as it had been decided that its production includes some actions which harm bees. In the same time, no flowers are pollinated, which results in the decline of nature.

One scene included in the movie had a great influence on my perception of the existence of humans and animals. When the bees didn’t pollinate the flowers in the film, the world turned into a grey dessert, deprived of any living plants. Previously colourful surrounding became lifeless. This showed me how important actually insects are. This whole story made me realize how important the balance in nature is. The removal of only one species from its activity may result in the collapse of the whole system. It shows how fragile the nature is and how crucial it is to preserve its harmony. The film also depicts the importance of the nature in the provision of food and other supplies required for our use. Honey, vegetables, fruit, flower – these are all gifts of nature. We did not create it – they were provided by nature. And we should appreciate that.

I remember watching it as a small child and how immense the impact of this film was on my perception of the environment. The monthly topic inspired me to remind myself of this film and talk about its plot, but also raise one of the most important environmental issues which we face today – bees’ population collapse.

It turns out that honeybees are responsible for the pollination of 80% of plants worldwide. Also, 90% of world’s nutritional products are pollinated by those insects[1]. Just imagine what would happen if these animals disappear? In fact, that what is happening right now.[i] On the one hand, scientists are still not sure what actually causes the decrease in the number of bees. However, many of the possible responses are linked to the human activity and the damage of the environment. For example, it is possible that the loss of the natural habitat due to the development of cities[ii]. The overall decrease in areas not influenced by human activity, deprive bees of sufficient amount of food or place to forage. When land is used for farming, then usually only one species of plant is cultivated there. In addition, pesticides are used to prevent the loss of crops. The application of chemical substances may also affect bees and does change the overall natural environment. The use of such chemicals decreases the resistance of bees to infections, which reduces their chances of survival in case of an illness. It has been shown that they also affect their navigation skills and breeding[iii].

In addition, it is also suspected that ongoing climate change might also affect the number of bees[iv]. Currently, bees are not used to different times of year when it is getting warmer or colder. Therefore, sometimes they are not prepared for the incoming change of temperature, not in line with “their schedule” they were used to. Such events affect their breeding behaviour, which results in the decrease of their population. In addition, the shift of temperature also affects the time of activity of plants, which may also reduce the supply of foods for bees.

The first thing we can do to help is to start gardening. Bees need flowers to thrive and urban environment doesn’t satisfy their needs. Plant loads of flowers in your garden or balcony. Thanks to this, you will supply them with something which resembles their natural habitat.

In addition, you can also prepare your bee hotel. It is a great DIY activity, but in the same time, you provide space for solitary bees to nest. Put it in your garden– it is great to see insects coming and feeling in your hotel like at home.[2]

In conclusion, “the Bee Movie” raises one of the most important issues of the today’s world in an entertaining way. The harmony in nature is priceless. Once it disappears, it might not be possible to restore it. Our daily environmental decision should be guarded by this image.