Would you eat insects to save the planet?

Some say you should be eating beetles for breakfast and locusts for lunch.

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Entomophagy (say en-toe-moff-a-jee) is the practice of eating insects. While it may not be common in this country, two billion people across Africa, Asia and South America eat bugs as part of their diet. With food production responsible for about a quarter of all human-related greenhouse gas emissions, entomophagy is becoming more popular. Greenhouse gases are so called because they trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to rising global temperatures. This is one of the biggest causes of climate change (long-term changes in world weather patterns). So, would you munch mealworms and crunch crickets to save the planet?

Cheap to farm

Although some people may find it strange, many of you have been eating bugs without knowing it. Foods such as strawberry yoghurt or red velvet cake contain carmine, a natural red food colouring made from the cochineal beetle.

Bugs are very nutritious and are good for the planet, as well as people. Food campaigner and food lover Tasha Mhakayakora says, “Rich in protein and essential nutrients, insects are not only healthy but also environmentally friendly, requiring significantly less land and water than traditional livestock.”