By Ibrahima Yakubu | African Climate Reporters
Climate change and environmental degradation are threatening the survival of pollinators—bees, butterflies, bats, and other insects—putting global food security and traditional medicine at risk, scientists warn.
Dr. Yusuf Abdullahi Nadabo, patron of African Climate Reporters, alongside other Nigerian scientists, voiced serious concerns at a recent science journalism conference in Kaduna.
He emphasized that the drastic decline in pollinators across Africa, largely due to climate change, deforestation, and pollution, could lead to a severe shortage of medicinal plants and food crops.
“About 85% of pollination in nature is performed by bees and other insects,” Dr. Nadabo stated. “Their disappearance threatens ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and access to traditional medicine.”
A study published in Nature revealed that while Earth is home to around 3.04 trillion trees, over 15 billion are cut down every year, and nearly half of the planet’s original forest cover has been lost in the past 12,000 years. This large-scale deforestation, combined with bushfires and harmful chemicals, is contributing to the alarming decline of pollinators.
Pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting the reproduction of over 80% of the world’s flowering plants. They help produce fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, and other essential crops. Without them, food production would plummet, affecting both human nutrition and economic livelihoods.
According to Mr. Nuruddeen, a climatologist at the School of Health Science and Technology in Kaduna, one in every three bites of food depends on pollinators. “As trees die due to fire, pests, and drought, warmer and drier climates are preventing new growth, making it harder for ecosystems to recover,” he said.
Other contributors to pollinator decline include:
Excessive use of pesticides and hazardous chemicals
Habitat destruction from logging, charcoal production, and urban expansion
Diseases and parasites
Climate-related events like droughts and desertification
Dr. Nadabo stressed the need for immediate action to halt these trends. Suggested solutions include planting more trees, creating pollinator-friendly habitats, reducing chemical usage, and enacting stronger environmental protection policies.
The UN has previously warned that nearly one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction due to human activity. Without pollinators, both food systems and access to natural medicines will continue to deteriorate.
“Protecting pollinators isn’t just about saving insects—it’s about preserving life, health, and culture,” Nadabo concluded.
