Hi, I'm Karam 🐝

The terrifying and shocking reality of what would happen if bees went extinct

By Karam Nelson

Introduction

In this essay I explain why the extinction of bees would be a huge danger to people and the planet, what would happen if it occurred, and how we can stop that nightmare from becoming real. I focus on the food we would lose; the damage to the economy (especially the UK); the plants and animals that would disappear in a chain reaction; the impacts on soils; and more.

Is bee extinction a real risk?

This isn’t a far-fetched “what if”. Already, 17 species of bees are extinct, 25 species are at risk of extinction, and 31 species are of conservation concern. So the “what if” is more like a preview of a possible future than a fictional guess.

Food at risk

Food is a basic need. If we lost our best pollinators, the effects would be severe. Without bees we could lose one in three mouthfuls of food, around half of fruits and vegetables in the supermarket, and about 75% of leading crops. Our diets would be less diverse, harming public health.

Wildlife and plants

Nature would become less rich and resilient. We could lose up to 90% of the world’s wild plants and thousands of flowering species. Animals that depend on those plants would decline, triggering a butterfly-effect up the food chain.

Soil health

As plant species die out, their roots no longer hold soil together, create habitat, or prevent erosion. Dying roots normally release nutrients that feed insects, fungi and bacteria. Without living roots, fewer nutrients cycle back into soils.

Economic impact

Pollination is big business. In the UK alone, bee-pollinated crops are worth about £690 million every year. Worldwide, pollination is valued at US$235–577 billion annually. Losing bees would mean huge economic losses.

Why are bees declining?

• Pesticides: chemicals used to kill pests and weeds can also kill bees.
• Climate change: it shifts when nectar and pollen are available, reduces floral scents in heat, and drought can change plant smells—making flowers harder for bees to find.
• Habitat loss: since 1945, the UK has lost around 97% of flower-rich grasslands.
• Diseases & pests: American and European foulbrood, Asian hornets, wax moths, and Varroa mites—many are invasive.

What we can do

• Use bee-friendly pesticides and weedkillers.
• Report Asian hornets.
• Keep bees responsibly.
• Use renewable energy and protect habitats.
• Plant trees and wildflowers; reduce pesticides.
• Spread awareness.

What I’m doing

I’ve started beekeeping and got my first bees for my hive on 27 April after studying and taking two courses on 26–27 April, which I funded by washing cars and doing jobs for my local community. Learning about bees has been enjoyable and eye-opening—this project helped me, and I hope it helps you too. I recommend Guide to Bees & Honey by Ted Hooper and the articles listed below.

Conclusion

Bees play a vital role in our ecosystems and are nature’s unsung heroes. Their extinction would be far worse than most people realise—affecting food, wildlife, the economy, soil health and more. It’s remarkable how such a small insect carries so much of the world on its wings.

Sources

• Best Bees — Borg, Z. (29 May 2024). “Climate Change And Bees: The Effects Of A Changing Planet.”
• British Ecological Society (5 Aug 2024). “How does climate change impact social bee sociality?”
• Greenpeace. “Bees: a beginners’ guide.”
• National Library of Medicine — Rahimi & Jung (Feb 2024). “Global Trends in Climate Sustainability of Bees...”
• Scientific Reports (25 Mar 2024). “Warmer autumns and winters could reduce honey bee overwintering survival...”
• WWF. “Bees feel the sting of climate change in the East of England.”
• WWF (18 Jan 2024). “Why bees are climate heroes.”
• Bees for Development (Oct 2016). “Climate change and bees.”
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Everett, J. (7 Jun 2023). “Bumble bees and climate change.”