By Dr. Michalis Ieridis, Secretary General of CYMEPA
On May 20, World Bee Day, we honour one of the smallest but also most gigantic allies of life on the planet. Bees are not just producers of honey and wax, they are a key pillar of biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
More than a third of the world's food production depends on pollination. Without bees and other pollinators, the natural balance is disturbed, agricultural production declines, and food security is compromised. What is often overlooked is that the effects are not limited to land. Ecosystems are interconnected: what happens on land directly affects the sea.
Biodiversity loss, soil degradation and the reckless use of chemicals lead to phenomena that ultimately end up in the marine environment. Pollution, erosion, and the destabilization of natural cycles are transferred from land to sea, impacting marine life and ecosystem health. In other words, the protection of the bee is directly linked to the protection of our seas.
Student educational programs
This is exactly the message that CYMEPA has been promoting over time: That the protection of nature is not fragmentary, but holistic. Through the sustainability education programs we implement in Cyprus, such as the Ecological Schools and Learn about Ecosystems and Forests, we cultivate in students a deeper understanding of the relationship between man and nature.
In participating schools, children learn to observe, investigate and respect the environment. They understand that every organism – from bees to marine species – is a link in a wider chain of life. They also learn that everyday choices have an impact, whether it's the use of plastics, the consumption of resources, or the attitude towards nature.
Education is perhaps the most powerful tool we have to deal with environmental and other challenges. By investing in knowledge, we are investing in a society that is more responsible, more aware and more ready to take action.
In addition, CYMEPA, through the activities it organizes, includes visits and guided tours of schools in the "Learning about Ecosystems And Forests – LEAF" Program, at the Athalassa Beekeeping Park. Hosted by CYMEPA and guided tour by a Forestry Department Officer, it offers a unique educational experience on resource management and sustainability.
World Bee Day is a reminder that solutions are not only found in big political decisions, but also in small, everyday actions. From planting beekeeping plants to reducing the use of chemicals, anyone can contribute to the protection of pollinators. Bees show us the way: cooperation, balance and respect for nature. Let's follow their example, protecting not only them, but also our common home.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, which supports these Educational Programmes, as well as the Electricity Authority of Cyprus and Eurobank Ltd for sponsoring the Programmes.
