The most talked-about problem facing the Earth may be the ice bergs melting, but an equally alarming issue is endangered bees. In 2016, the U.S. added seven species of bees to its endangered species list, including the honeybee. Then in January of this year, the U.S. added bumblebees to the list. These little guys provide a vital backbone to our global agriculture, especially in the United States. When bees travel from crop to crop they carry pollen — so staples of our diet like apples, broccoli, and even almonds flourish because of busy bees.

Why are the number of bees dropping to dangerously low levels? Well, there are a multitude of reasons: a combination of global warming, disease, habit disruption, and pesticides. If bees go extinct, humans do too. Since humans are the source of their demise, it’s up to us to do our part to help them — and our selves.

What can you do to help? Check out a few ways.

Encourage your local farmers to set up bee stations to make a home for them.

Support honeybee research.

Learn about alternatives to pesticides like Integrated Pest Management.

Watch this video from our cause partner Bioneers about a groundbreaking discovery that could help restore the bee population and relieve endangered bees:

Create a bee hotel! Here’s how you can build a permanent bee habitat in your own backyard.

Develop your green thumb and plant flowers! The more you plant, the more their chance of survival.

(May Queen Bee-yonce inspire bee helps.)

Download ThatHelps’ app to help amazing Conservation causes working to protect animals, plants and bees.

Photos: Pexels, Morris Less