As part of their new “Beesexual” campaign, the online porn company is tapping into Beerotica. Yes, you read that right.
Most of us do not associate pornography with sustainability, but the creative executives at Pornhub have found a way to tap into a “save the world” theme just in time for Earth Day. As part of their aptly named “Beesexual” campaign, a partnership with French advertising agency BETC, the sex video purveyor is attempting to educate people about the threatened population using something they know their patrons visit them for — sex appeal.
I know, I know, it sounds super weird, but let us explain.
While we weren’t aware that bee-porn was actually a thing, Pornhub has created a whole Beesexual Channel devoted to the new genre, featuring short videos of “foraging bees into what they really are: funny, king, nature porn featuring the voices of your favorite stars” — well, to clarify, porn stars. What’s more, for every view, the company will make a donation to bee-saving charities like Operation Honey Bee and The Center for Honeybee Research, which could translate to a lot of money if their millions of users decide to give it a try.
"Bees play a major part in making our food,” Corey Price, VP, Pornhub, explained in a press release. “The most important thing that bees do is pollinate. Pollination is needed for plants to reproduce, and so many plants depend on bees as pollinators. Unfortunately however, bees are facing a precarious situation and struggling for survival. With over 110 million daily visitors, we thought our users could come together to lend a helping hand and help conserve this precious species. It’s our duty to ensure bees continue to fornicate and pollinate."
[rebelmouse-image 19480403 dam="1" original_size="700x346" caption="Flower: Hey Rodrigo, long day working in the garden, huh? Bee: Yes, seniorita. Flower: Why don't you take a break and plant a seed? In me? Photo via Pornhub." expand=1]Flower: Hey Rodrigo, long day working in the garden, huh? Bee: Yes, seniorita. Flower: Why don't you take a break and plant a seed? In me? Photo via Pornhub.
Price’s mind is in the right place on this matter. Bees are being threatened by a variety of factors, many of which are widespread and difficult to curtail.
First, there’s climate change and habitat loss. “Drastically shifting weather patterns and increased human development are leaving bees with fewer and fewer stable, safe environments to call home,” explains Carly Stein, Founder and CEO of wellness brand Beekeeper's Naturals.
Then, there’s the invasion of parasites, like the varroa mite, which can utterly decimate hives and cause population collapse. “Unfortunately, mite populations are only increasing with the rising global temperatures, so it’s getting worse,” she explains.
Most disturbing, however, is that widespread pesticide use is killing bees. “Many pesticides, like neonicotinoids, are highly toxic to bees,” she says. These chemicals travel on the wind and persist in the soil for years to come, tainting precious bee foraging grounds and poisoning entire hives.
It may sound like an overwhelming problem, but there’s a lot you can do to help, even if you don’t want to partake in this latest genre of porn.
Plant a garden: This is the best thing you can do, according to Stein. “Even a small pot of flowers will do—no garden is too small to make a difference. Planting native, organic, pollinator-friendly plants ensures that your local bees will have access to clean, chemical-free food, which is more crucial than ever,” she says.
Avoid using and supporting pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides: These chemicals are highly toxic to bees. Stein suggests trying to buy organic, local food as often as possible and to also make sure that any plants or seeds you buy for your gardens are free of neonicotinoids, the pesticide most notorious for endangering bees.
Raise awareness: Talk to your friends and family about this issue and find out where your local government stands on neonicotinoids. “Be the voice that makes a difference where you live!” Stein advises.
Support companies who are doing their part to save the bees: For example, Beekeeper’s Naturals exclusively partners with remote, green apiaries to ensure that their bees are healthy and pollinate in safe locations.
“We also regularly conduct third party pesticide testing to ensure our hives and products are clean and chemical-free,” explains Stein. “We have no patience for pesticides—and you shouldn’t either.”
And the well-known brand Burt’s Bees has a foundation that supports honeybee health and biodiversity. To date, they've given $3.5 million in grants. Cheerios even started their own #BringBacktheBees campaign which has been creating a buzz (pun intended) over the last few years.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lindsay Hawley (@my_hawleywood_life) on
