Why eating insects makes sense The Economist euTBQOrpOmM

Summary

As the world population is expected to reach 11 billion by the end of the century, traditional food sources will struggle to keep up, exacerbated by climate change. Advocates suggest increasing insect consumption as a sustainable solution. With 2,000 edible insect species rich in protein, calcium, and other nutrients, they provide a healthier alternative to meat. Insects are also cost-effective to raise and produce fewer greenhouse gases, making them an environmentally friendly choice. While many in the West remain hesitant, incorporating insect protein into familiar products like pasta sauces could bridge the gap and promote acceptance of this alternative food source.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The global population is expected to reach 11 billion by the end of the century, posing significant food supply challenges.
• 🥗 Eating less meat and more insects is suggested as a sustainable way to boost food supply.
• 🐜 About 2 billion people worldwide already consume insects as part of their diets.
• 🇲🇽 Insects are culturally eaten in many countries; for example, Mexicans enjoy toasted grasshoppers and Ghanaians snack on termites.
• 💪 Insects are nutritious, offering high levels of protein, calcium, fiber, iron, and zinc, often with lower fat and calorie counts compared to meat.
• 💰 Raising insects requires minimal investment, making it a cost-effective food source, especially for impoverished communities.
• 🌱 Insects are a more sustainable food option, producing fewer greenhouse gases and requiring less land and water than traditional livestock.
• 🚫 Despite their benefits, many Westerners are hesitant to eat insects due to squeamishness.
• 🍝 One potential solution is to incorporate insect protein into familiar products like ready meals and pasta sauces, making it more acceptable.
• ♻️ Emphasizing the environmental advantages of insect consumption may help overcome barriers to acceptance.

Q & A

What is the projected global population by the end of the century?

The world's population is projected to reach 11 billion by the end of the century.

Why is feeding a growing population challenging?

Feeding a growing population is challenging due to the impact of climate change on agriculture.

What unconventional solution is proposed to boost food supply sustainably?

Eating less meat and more insects is proposed as an unconventional way to boost the food supply sustainably.

How many people currently eat insects, and can you give examples?

About 2 billion people already eat insects. Examples include Mexicans who enjoy toasted grasshoppers, Thais who eat cricket stir-fries, and Ghanaians who snack on termites.

What are some health benefits of eating insects?

Insects are generally healthier than meat, as they are packed with protein, calcium, fiber, iron, and zinc, with some insects containing similar protein levels to beef but with less fat and fewer calories.

Why is raising insects considered cost-effective?

Raising insects requires little technology or investment, making it a cheap or free option for food production.

How can insect harvesting benefit the world's poorest populations?

Harvesting insects could provide livelihoods to some of the world's poorest people by creating new economic opportunities.

How do insects compare to livestock in terms of environmental impact?

Insects produce relatively few greenhouse gases and require much less land and water than livestock, which accounts for nearly a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions.

What is one way to make eating insects more appealing to Western consumers?

Using protein extracted from insects in products like ready meals and pasta sauces can make eating insects more appealing, as it removes the visual aspect of consuming bugs.

What are the challenges to integrating insects into Western diets?

Most Westerners find the idea of eating insects unappealing or hard to swallow, which poses a challenge to integrating them into their diets.