The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens The Silent Collapse: What the Disappearance of Insects Means for Humanity and the Earth with Oliver Milman
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Aug 6, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Oliver Milman, an environmental correspondent at The Guardian and author of 'The Insect Crisis,' reveals the shocking decline of insect populations and its dire consequences for ecosystems and human life. He highlights the critical roles insects play in pollination and nutrient cycles, and the cascading effects of their loss. Milman explains how human activities like agriculture and climate change exacerbate the crisis, urging listeners to recognize the importance of these small creatures to our survival and the health of our planet.
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Alarming Global Insect Decline
- Global insect biomasses are declining by about 1 to 2% per year, posing long-term sustainability risks.
- Despite massive total insect numbers, alarming drops up to 90% in specific places highlight a silent ecological collapse.
Empathy Shapes What We Value
- Humans empathize more with mammals than insects, which contributes to undervaluing them.
- There's a mismatch in what we emotionally value and what is ecologically vital for human survival.
Insects Are Ecological Pillars
- Insects pollinate about one-third of the world's food crops, providing essential nutrition.
- They also maintain ecosystems by decomposing waste and cycling nutrients, making their decline critical.
