Angelina Jolie has warned of the disappearance of bees as a “worldwide phenomenon which is endangering biodiversity” as she continues to support biodiversity awareness initiatives all over the world.
The Hollywood star – who is an ambassador of the Guerlain For Bees Conservation Programme – discussed the importance of balanced ecosystems with a class of primary school children in Clichy-sous-Bois near Paris, France.
Reflecting on her experiences at the Guerlain’s Bee School, the 48-year-old actress praised the “brilliant young minds” for asking great questions.
OK! magazine quotes Jolie as saying: “Children always understand quickly what adults often try to overcomplicate or excuse. There were many smiles except when they realised that without bees, there was no chocolate!”
The ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ star added: “We discussed how the disappearance of bees is a worldwide phenomenon which is endangering biodiversity.”
Guerlain – which has the pollinator as its brand symbol for 170 years – launched its Bee School programme in 2018
Jolie also appeared at the first beekeeping lectures for women at an apiculture centre in rural Cambodia which has recently been established by the local office of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The award-winning actress mingled with the overjoyed attendants at the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation which has been named after her 21-year-old son.
At the institution, the participants do not just receive beekeeping training. They are eventually provided with hives and have the chance to ask for technical support concerning their beekeeping activities.
Cecile Lochard is Guerlain’s international chief sustainability officer.
She told the Marie Claire magazine: “We launched Bee Respect in 2019 to help consumers better understand and be informed about the whole lifecycle of Guerlain products.”
On its website, the French perfume and cosmetics producer says: “We are committed to preserving biodiversity, innovating sustainably, acting for the climate and creating a positive social impact.
“Above all, we seek to protect one of nature’s most precious wonders: bees. We place their preservation at the heart of our purpose and have dedicated several meaningful partnerships and initiatives to protect them.”
Global pollinator populations are at risk due to the excessive application of pesticides and habitat loss due to monocultural farming and construction projects.
Marie Claire magazine praised the Guerlian-UNESCO cooperation for “going the extra mile to help raise awareness and repopulate bee numbers.”
