For our sake, we need to let them 'bee'

It is said that Albert Einstein prophesied that if bees die out, human beings will do so too within four years. Yet, it will come as a surprise to humans — especially some of them — that bees have been declared the most important living beings on our planet by scientists. It is not known whether bees have a sense (much less an exaggerated one) of their own importance and know precisely how the life cycle of all species on Earth depends on their ability to pollinate, but most humans certainly have very little idea either. That is probably why although bee populations have shrunk dramatically worldwide — by 90% in some areas — their imminent extinction has not spurred the kind of campaign that at least a percentage of humans have waged to save tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos and other more visibly endangered species. Yet, without bees, none of us would be around anyway to bother about others.

Of course, bees do not lend themselves to sympathy, as getting close to them is about as dangerous as doing the same to a grouchy tiger. But, then, many human beings who consider themselves indispensable are also just about as prickly as bees about their personal space. It is also true, however, that those who are crucial to our existence need not be likeable; since they are fulfilling a key responsibility, we need to just let them, well, bee.