Natural speed please
As surprising as it may sound to some of us insects, yes insects, may be a solution to the problem of the rising demand for meat. In fact, more than one quarter of the world’s population is already eating insects, with beetles being the most popular.
As Western cultures are not used to the idea, the most difficult part is getting over the disgust, the yuck factor. Once that is dealt with, it is easy to see why insects are a smart alternative to meat. For a start, they are full of protein and fat, and so a healthy food source. Believe or not, crickets have about the same percent as most meat products. Not only that, like fish, they need a lot less food to produce than meat products. In fact, crickets are twelve times as efficient as cattle. Consequently, insects would be able to meet the global demand for protein while respecting the environment.
Currently most farmed insects are used to feed animals but we are beginning to see more and more commercial farming of insects for human consumption. The main challenge today is to make insect production for consumption less expensive and more efficient. Industrial solutions are being searched for, and will eventually be found and developed.
Commercial farmers of insects will provide food for humans of course, but also for farmed fish and even for dogs and cats. We may not all be aware of this but some industries already use insects: in the field of medicine, in make-up and even as flavoring for alcohol. Another positive point: insects can feed on organic waste. So they are both economical and environmentally friendly. Insects emit fewer greenhouse gases and need less land to produce than livestock.
Good for the environment, good for our health, good for the global economy … what’s not to like? And if you are still disgusted by the idea of biting into an insect, take example from the 2 billion people who already have said yes to eating bugs.
