What are pollinators and why do they matter?

While America apparently may run on Dunkin, it actually runs on local pollinators. Without these critical critters, life as we know it would look drastically different.

What’s a local pollinator? 

To understand pollinators, we first need to understand pollination. Pollination is responsible for the fertilization and successful production of seeds and fruits for thousands of plants. Pollination occurs when the pollen of a plant is transferred to another plant (often of the same species) by natural forces or animals. This assisted-reproduction allows plants to grow and bear fruit. “Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include: apples, blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, potatoes, pumpkins, vanilla, almonds, and tequila (“Pollination,” 2021).” Pollination is absolutely essential for the production of key crops that feed us and keep us satisfied. 

Local pollinators keep plants and fruit growing smoothly. “An estimated 90% of the world’s flowering plants rely on pollinators. Our food supply depends on pollinators, too: more than 75% of crop species need pollinators (Support your local pollinators,” 2018).” Insects like honeybees, butterflies, moths, and more are responsible for the majority of pollination. Dwindling populations due to ecosystem damage, insecticides, and more threaten pollination and our agricultural system as we know it. 

So what can be done?

One of the most important aspects of pollination is the presence of ecosystems that support pollinators, requiring local flora and fauna to thrive. Development and hard infrastructure creation often destroy local ecosystems, threatening agriculture and food security. It is critical then, to restore ecosystems and repopulate native plant species to allow the continued propagation of pollinators. 

Raise Green currently has its first ecosystem restoration project open for Indications of Interest on our Marketplace. Bright Community Capital is a Maine-based community finance organization that focuses on developing and implementing renewable energy systems and restoring ecosystems. Bright Community Capital centers on a few key environmental impacts:

1. Increase access to solar energy through installations on affordable housing

2. Expand solar adoption at the community level via installations on  community facilities and municipal buildings

3. Lower power costs for cities and members of low-income communities

4. Increase pollinator and bird habitats through native plantings and meadow reclamation on ground-mounted sites

We view Bright Community Capital’s projects as a systems-based approach to renewable energy and sustainability. By not only implementing clean energy infrastructure, but also improving the local ecosystems, Bright Community Capital is creating a sustainable ecosystem where environmental impact is reduced and pollinator threats are alleviated. Indicating your investment support in Bright Community Capital is a fantastic opportunity to create meaningful social and environmental impact, while potentially earning a return on your investment. If you like eating fruits and vegetables, supporting these climate defenders should be a no-brainer. 

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