On 20 May, World Bee Day, we honour one of the smallest yet most vital allies of life on our planet. Bees are not merely producers of honey and wax; they are a fundamental pillar of biodiversity and the balance of ecosystems.
More than one third of global food production depends on pollination. Without bees and other pollinators, natural balance is disrupted, agricultural production declines, and food security is put at risk. What is often overlooked is that the consequences are not confined to land. Ecosystems are interconnected: what happens on land directly affects the sea. The loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and the excessive use of chemicals lead to processes that ultimately reach the marine environment. Pollution, erosion and the destabilisation of natural cycles are transferred from land to sea, affecting marine life and the health of ecosystems. In other words, protecting bees is directly linked to protecting our seas.
Student Environmental Education Programmes
This is precisely the message that CYMEPA has consistently promoted: that environmental protection is not fragmented, but holistic. Through the sustainability education programmes implemented in Cyprus, such as the Eco-Schools Programme and Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF), students develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and nature.
In participating schools, students learn to observe, to explore and to respect the environment. They come to understand that every organism—from the bee to marine species—is part of a wider chain of life. They also learn that everyday choices have an impact, whether it concerns the use of plastics, the consumption of resources, or attitudes towards nature. Education is perhaps the most powerful tool available to address environmental and other challenges. By investing in knowledge, we invest in a more responsible, aware and action-oriented society.
Furthermore, through its activities, CYMEPA organises school visits and guided tours for students participating in the “Learning about Ecosystems and Forests – LEAF” Programme to the Athalassa Beekeeping Park. Hosted by CYMEPA and guided by an officer of the Department of Forests, these visits offer a unique educational experience on resource management and sustainability.
World Bee Day serves as a reminder that solutions are found not only in major policy decisions, but also in small, everyday actions. From planting bee-friendly flora to reducing the use of chemicals, everyone can contribute to the protection of pollinators. Bees show us the way: cooperation, balance and respect for nature. Let us follow their example, protecting not only them, but also our shared home.
On this occasion, I would also like to express sincere thanks to the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth for its support of these educational programmes, as well as to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and Eurobank Ltd for their sponsorship.
*By Dr. Michalis Ierides, Secretary General of CYMEPA
