Is there a future without bees? - Listen to 6 Minute English

Bee numbers are declining at an alarming rate and in some places disappearing altogether, which has serious consequences for humans. Today, one third of the food we eat depends on insects to pollinate crops, fruit and vegetables. Busy bees Neil and Sam discuss what's being done to find a solution to the problem, and teach you vocabulary along the way.

To download the audio and a transcript, go to our website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200910

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Vocabulary
pollination
process in which pollen is taken from one plant or part of a plant to another so that new plant seeds can be produced

fertilisation
plant reproduction in which pollen from one plant travels to the ovary of another and fertilises a female ovule to make new seeds and fruit

staple crops
food, like rice or wheat, which is eaten in large amounts as part of a community’s daily diet and provides a large fraction of their energy and nutrient needs

orchard
area of land on which fruit trees are grown

hive
structure where bees live, either built by people or made by the bees themselves

food security
everyone having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food that meets their dietary needs

[Cover: Getty Images]

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