Bus Stop Bees

Good News Good Planet

For more delicious news, go to www.GoodNewsGoodPlanet.com, and scroll to bottom for more ways to find the feel good stuff!* BUS STOP BEES Honey Bees are one of the most important pollinators on the planet. Unfortunately, Honey Bee populations are declining due to human interference on many levels. But there’s a news buzz of hope on the horizon in Europe… In Utrecht, Holland, they’ve taken the declining bee population problem into their own hands or should I say, over their bus stops! The City of Utrecht has planted the roofs of their bus stops with Sedum, as a way to help the honey bee and bumble bee populations. Sedum are bee friendly succulents which are easy to grow and improve air quality. Last year the Dutch Government introduced this Pollinator Strategy in an attempt to revive the bee, butterfly, and other insect populations which are necessary for more than 75% of the country’s edible crops. Not only do the buzzing bus stops aid in recovering the bee population, but they also aid in improving the city environment by capturing fine dust, reducing noise and absorbing carbon. The new roofs also store rainwater, and provide cooling in the summer. The buzzing bus stops are maintained by city workers who go from one stop to the next via electric vehicles. These environmentally friendly hubs have also been equipped with energy efficient LED lights and sustainable bamboo benches. As of late 2019, Utrecht had 10 electric busses in service with a plan to have all their busses emission-free by the year 2028. The city is also encouraging its residents to alter their home roofs to be buzz-worthy and bio-diverse by offering available eco-funding to do so. Utrecht’s long-term plan is to create a more sustainable city, and a model that others can easily replicate. Improving the lives of the pollinators, the people and the planet, one buzzing green roof at a time! #### *Hungry for more of the Good Stuff? Search "Good News Good Planet" on YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Alexa and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.