Although there is not a current threat to a honeybee extinction, beekeepers have been noticing an increase in the number of bees dying since 2006. If honeybees do eventually become extinct, it can have serious effects on the human population. Albert Einstein once said, “Mankind will not survive the honeybees’ disappearance for more than five years” (Good Reads). So, was he right by saying that?

When I first came across this, I did not think anything bad could come of bees becoming extinct. Personally, I am not a fan of bees. When they are around me, I am always scared of them stinging me. Although bees do have that one negative effect, the advantages that they bring us outweigh the disadvantages by far. According to NBC News, “Honeybees don’t just make honey; they pollinate more than 90 of the tastiest flowering crops we have. Among them: apples, nuts, avocados, soybeans, asparagus, broccoli, celery, squash and cucumbers. And lots of the really sweet and tart stuff, too, including citrus fruit, peaches, kiwi, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, cantaloupe and other melons. In fact, about one-third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants, and the honeybee is responsible for 80 percent of that pollination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture” (NBC News). Our food industry heavily relies on bees to pollinate our crops. If honeybees were to go extinct, the human population would have to seriously change their diets, or else Albert Einstein might be correct with his statement; we might not live longer than 5 years after the extinction of bees.

Unfortunately, nobody can prove if humans will survive without honeybees until honeybees actually go extinct. There has been research supporting each side of the argument. No matter which side is correct, it is clear that if honeybees went extinct, it would be catastrophic for our agriculture. Some scientists are confident that over time other pollinators would take over for the bees. Several groups of pollination experts are already exploring this issue and trying to find an alternative (Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens).

Other scientists are not as confident. If we do not find an alternative to pollinate, the extinction of honeybees will have an effect on all animals. Animals eat plants as well and without honeybees pollinating the plants, they will die off too. If humans’ main source of meat such as cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys etc also die off then humans’ will have a shortage of fruits, vegetables and meat. This could lead to a serious problem down the road (Future).

Since scientists cannot be sure if we will survive without honeybees or not, I recommend that we take serious precautions in helping the bee population survive. Here is a list of things you can do to help keep the bee population alive:

1. Make your gardens bee-friendly
   • Plant flowers that bees like, they get their food from flowers.
   • Give the bees a water source in your garden. Such as a birth bath or a small pond.
2. Eliminate your use of pesticides.
3. Buy organic foods.
4. Support local bee-keepers.
5. Encourage other people to protect the bees as well.

It is important that we take these precautions seriously and spread awareness of this possible honeybee extinction and the consequences it will bring. As I mentioned previously, it is not a current threat but beekeepers are noticing less and less bees so if we do not take action now, this could turn into a real threat soon!