Bees are fundamental to our lives and our planet's wellbeing. In Japan, always at the forefront of ecological innovation, they've addressed the reduction of flowers caused by solar panel expansion with a brilliant idea: floating gardens on parking lot roofs. These gardens not only beautify urban spaces but also support pollinators, crucial for biodiversity and environmental health.

Benefits of Floating Gardens

Floating gardens represent a creative solution for sustainable urbanization, offering multiple benefits:

• Green space creation: Transform unused areas into pleasant, relaxing spaces for citizens.
• Pollinator support: Selected plants and flowers attract bees and other insects, contributing to biodiversity.
• Urban heat reduction: Plants help mitigate the urban heat island effect in cities.

Piantami and Plantable Paper

Piantami also cares deeply for the planet. Our plantable paper contains 30% bee-friendly seeds, helping support these essential insects. Bees and other pollinators face unprecedented challenges: over 40% of invertebrate pollinator species risk extinction, and 9.2% of bee species in Europe are threatened (IUCN, 2015). Without them, many plants would disappear and artificial pollination would require enormous costs.

The Crucial Role of Pollinators

Pollinators like bees are responsible for about 70% of pollination for all plant species and ensure 35% of global food production. Over the last 50 years, agricultural production has increased by 30% thanks to direct contribution from pollinating insects. 70% of the 115 most important crops benefit from animal pollination (Klein et al., 2007).

The Ecosystem Threat

Protecting pollinating insects is crucial. In Europe, nearly half of insect species are in serious decline and one third risk extinction. Habitat changes, environmental pollution and widespread pesticide use are the main causes. If we don't change our food production methods, most pollinating insects could go extinct within decades, with severe consequences for Earth's ecosystems.

Solutions for the Future

Restoring natural habitats, reducing agro-chemical inputs and agricultural "redesign" are key to preventing further pollinator population declines. "Ecological engineering" practices like those developed in Japan not only benefit pollinators but also conserve natural enemies of agricultural pests.

Piantami's Contribution

At Piantami, we believe every small action makes a difference. That's why we use bee-friendly seeds in our plantable paper, helping protect these valuable pollinators.

Every time you plant Piantami's plantable paper after using your packaging, you'll know you're helping the planet!