Most people are not very happy when they get up close and personal with bees. They are an insect that can cause harm and very painful stings, but they are also responsible for the lives of every human on the face of the earth.

Bees have an incredible job of pollination. They are very effective at doing it and some 90% of the world’s food crops are pollinated by bees. In fact, the majority of the world is fed by the work that bees do.

Obviously, if bees aren’t around, it would be quite a disaster for all of us. The impact would be felt within just a matter of months and within years, it could be impacting future generations and their possibility for survival.

One person who has championed the need for bees in our environment is Sir David Attenborough. He has dedicated his life to protecting the environment and to spreading the message that the world should listen to carefully.

He shared a warning on Facebook that shook some people up in the process. It was a simple message, with a very profound meaning. He said: “If bees were to disappear from the face of the earth, humans would have just 4 years left to live.”

This warning has been sounded by others, but his post is a reminder of just how urgent the issue is. These may be a small insect by comparison, but without them, we would have many problems.

This is unfortunate because the bee population has dropped by one-third over the past five years. It is a trend that we hope does not continue.

We may even be able to help in our own, small way by mixing sugar and water in a spoon and leaving it in the backyard. This could allow bees to survive. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of water and put it in a spoon. Tired bees can reach it easily.

You could also plant flowers that are beneficial to local honeybees. It’s a small gesture that can have an impact of profound proportions.