Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- depend on (someone/something) / dɪˈpɛnd ɒn / (phrasal v.) – to need or rely on someone/something to continue living or existing
Example:Many small businesses are having a hard time, and they’re depending on government support to survive.
- pesticide / ˈpɛs təˌsaɪd / (n.) – a chemical used for destroying or killing insects or other organisms harmful to plants or animals
Example:Some people choose organic food that has been grown without pesticides because they worry about its effects on health.
- nocturnal / nɒkˈtɜr nl / (adj.) – relating to animals that are active mainly during the night
Example:Bats are nocturnal creatures that hunt for their food once it’s already dark.
- forage / ˈfɔr ɪdʒ / (v.) – to search for food or supplies in different places
Example:Birds often forage in gardens for seeds and insects.
- reproductive / ˌri prəˈdʌk tɪv / (adj.) – relating to the production of living organisms such as babies, young animals, or new plants
Example:Certain events in the environment can affect the reproductive system and behavior of animals.
Article
Read the text below.
Bees are an essential part of our food chain, with more than three-quarters of global crops depending on pollinators. A new report for World Bee Day has highlighted emerging threats that mean the insects could struggle to survive.
Without them, most of our crops would not grow. But the humble bee has been on the decline for decades.
Pesticides and climate change have taken much of the blame for that downward trend.
“If the decline in pollinators continues, we are going to see significant food insecurity, because the amount, the quality and the quantity of yield will reduce. But also, pollination plays a huge role in the nutritious value. So, micronutrients in the food are dependent on having good pollination. So not only will we have a reduction in the food quantity that we eat, the quality will also be seriously affected,” says the report’s co-author, Deepa Senapathi, who is head of the Department of Sustainable Land Management at the University of Reading.
Experts identified the top 12 new threats facing bees. Some relate to pollution—artificial light at night has reduced flower visits by nocturnal pollinators by 62 percent. Antibiotic pollution in hives could be affecting bee behavior, such as reducing how often they forage for flowers.
Pesticides, air pollution and microplastics also made the list. “We talk about how pollution is a big issue, right? But what we may not really focus on is the actual specifics of what type of pollution. So, for example, diesel and exhaust fumes, for instance, when they pollute the air, they can also disrupt pollinator plant interactions. So, the bees may not be able to kind of identify their best foraging resources. If there’s heavy metal pollution in the water or the soil, that may impact behavior of bees. It may even impact their reproductive success survival,” says Senapathi.
Other problems facing bees are more frequent and fierce wildfires destroying habitats, which can’t recover quickly enough afterwards.
The report titled Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Conservation of Global Pollinators was commissioned by Bee:wild, a global campaign to save pollinators.
World Bee Day is May 20.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Without bees, most of our crops would not grow. But the number of bees has been on the decline for decades. If the foods we eat most often, like many fruits and vegetables, become harder to find or more expensive because of fewer bees, how do you think this would change your usual diet? Discuss.
- According to Deepa Senapathi, if bees continue to decline, we might see “significant food insecurity,” meaning not enough food for everyone. Do you think your community or government is ready to help the public if the time comes when there might not be enough food? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- May 20 is World Bee Day. What other special days related to nature or the environment do you know about (ex. Arbor Day, Earth Day)? Why do you think having these specific days related to the environment is helpful? Discuss.
- If you could create a new special day for nature or the environment, when would it be and what would you call it? Why do you think we should have this day? How do you think people should celebrate this day? Discuss.