The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly Episode 86: Oliver Milman
Mar 18, 2022
Oliver Milman, an environmental journalist and author of "The Insect Crisis," discusses the alarming decline of insect populations and the catastrophic consequences for ecosystems and food security. He paints a vivid picture of a world without insects—essential for pollination and sustaining life. Milman also explores the intriguing yet problematic innovations of robotic bees and debates modern agricultural practices that harm vital insect habitats. His insights underscore the urgent need for conservation and a shift in how we perceive these tiny yet mighty creatures.
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Insects Are Vital to Life
- Insects perform critical ecosystem services like pollination, waste disposal, and supporting bird populations.
- A world without insects would collapse ecosystems and human food sources rapidly within months.
Insect Diversity Is Vast
- Insects comprise about three quarters of all named species on Earth and are incredibly diverse.
- Their vast diversity makes their current global decline nearly incomprehensible and alarming.
The Insect Decline Crisis
- Insect populations globally are declining up to 1-2% per year, risking up to half a million species loss by mid-century.
- This may be the greatest crisis insects have faced in 400 million years, paralleling the sixth mass extinction.
