You may not have ever considered keeping bees but information regarding the dwindling Bee populations may have made you wonder if beekeeping could be considered a new way to help save the planet.

A recent report states that there will be several new studies to look at just why Bee populations around the world are dwindling. These studies will look at things like pesticides, disease and loss of habitat. The reason why this is so important may not be apparent to a lot of us, but when you see that in some parts of the world manual pollination of certain food producing plants is already taking place, it soon becomes apparent that we need to get an understanding of this problem very soon.

These projects are to be funded by the Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI), and will look into the decline of other pollinators such as wasps and butterflies. Others are trying to get businesses to realise the future financial problems that could occur if this decline in pollinators is not stopped, by calculating just how much the produce that we rely upon will increase if manual pollination needs to become more widespread. It is thought that by introducing financial information into the picture businesses will be helped to understand the importance of projects like the one funded by the IPI.

Information regarding Bees and other pollinators will also help us to understand the wider ecological issues. Wild plants rely on these insects for pollination and these plants then feed other species further up the food chain. These plants are also involved in promoting fertile soil conditions for future planting.

Whatever these studies eventually produce it seems obvious that the use of more and more pesticides, insect diseases and loss of habitat all contribute to the decline of honeybees and other important pollinators. This means that it is important that we make our own gardens more appealing to such insects or maybe even consider joining the ranks of those who keep bees as a hobby or even a small business.

This week, the Global Environment Facility, has launched a new $27 million dollar project with the goal of saving animals that are needed to pollinate the many crops of the world. The United Nations Environment Programme will implement the program with the help of worldwide governments including Brazil, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa. Many national agencies and institutions will help to support this project and protect these key species.

The goal of the program is to help protect species that pollinate some 35% of the worlds crops. Recently, the earth has seen the dramatic decline of entire populations of honey bees thought to be caused mainly by pesticides, pathogens, and parasites. In the United States, one particular pathogen thought to be infecting bees is called Nosema ceranae, and infects the digestive system. In the past, parasitic mites have caused winter die-offs that cause populations increased stress and lower productivity. Though many theories have been published, too little research has been done to single out any one source of population declines.

Many wild animals also rely on plants and fruits that require insects and birds to pollinate first. Blueberries, apples, pears, plums, melons, and cucumbers are just some of the crops that benefit from animals providing cross-pollination. With the decline of honey bees, birds, and bats, the future of crop production is at stake.

This project is important because it will help to identify the causes of the decline of pollinating bees, birds, bats, and insects. With a large budget of nearly $27 million, the ecosystems and habitats of these animals can be repaired and strengthened to provide an area that promotes healthy reproduction and population building. Without these steps, the world could face a widening food shortage as crops decline and fail to pollinate. By addressing this issue, the GEF and UNEP hope to balance this process which in turn will help to stabilize ecosystems that provide many other benefits. Sustainable agriculture depends on providing a safe, healthy environment for the many animals and insects that help to create the crops that humans consume everyday.