What are environmental advantages of eating insects?

Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Insect farming has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional livestock farming. This is due to the lower energy requirements and carbon footprint associated with insect production. For example, a study found that producing 1 kilogram of chicken requires 3.5 kilograms of feed, 1.5 kilograms of water, and generates 15 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In contrast, producing 1 kilogram of crickets requires only 1.5 kilograms of feed, 0.5 kilograms of water, and generates 0.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

Lower Water Usage

Insect farming also requires significantly less water than traditional livestock farming. Crickets, for example, require only 0.5 kilograms of water per kilogram of production, compared to 1.5 kilograms of water required for chicken production. This is because insects are ectothermic, meaning they do not require water to regulate their body temperature, unlike mammals and birds. This reduced water usage makes insect farming an attractive option for areas where water is scarce.

Increased Land Efficiency

Insect farming requires significantly less land than traditional livestock farming. A study found that producing 1 kilogram of cricket requires only 0.4 square meters of land, compared to 1.7 square meters required for chicken production. This is because insects can be raised in vertically stacked containers, reducing the land requirements for agriculture. Additionally, insects can be raised on organic waste, reducing the need for arable land and promoting a circular economy.