Sustainable Feast: The Environmental Benefits of Eating Crickets

In a world where sustainability and environmental conservation are priorities, it is essential to explore food alternatives that are friendly to the environment. Among the most promising emerging foods are crickets and other edible insects. The environmental benefits offered by the consumption of crickets range from the efficiency of their production to their low ecological footprint. We will explain how these small insects could play a crucial role in feeding future generations and contribute to the preservation of our precious environment.

Sustainable Protein
Global population growth and increasing demand for food pose significant challenges to sustainable production. In this context, crickets and other insects have emerged as a promising source of sustainable and efficient protein. Unlike traditional livestock farming, which requires large areas of land and enormous amounts of water and feed to raise and maintain animals, cricket farming has a much lower environmental impact.
While livestock farming releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as methane and carbon dioxide, crickets emit a much smaller fraction of GHGs (Van A., 2013). This lower environmental impact is largely due to its small size and shorter life cycle, resulting in more efficient protein production. By adopting the consumption of crickets as a source of protein, we can drastically reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Efficient Use of Natural Resources

One of the most notable advantages of crickets is their efficient use of natural resources, making them a more sustainable option for feeding a growing world population. Crickets need much less water and feed compared to traditional livestock to produce the same amount of protein. For example, to produce 1kg of beef protein, about 1,200 gallons of water are required, while to produce 1kg of cricket protein, only 1 gallon of water is needed (Makkar S., Tran G. & Ankers P ., 2014).

Reducing Deforestation
The cultivation of crickets and their consumption can help reduce deforestation. Raising crickets requires much less space compared to traditional livestock, which means that less land will be allocated to the production of food for these insects (Verbeke W., Pérez J. & Grunert G., 2015). By reducing the demand for land for intensive livestock farming, we can protect natural habitats and biodiversity, thus preserving ecosystems vital to the health of the planet.

Promotion of biodiversity and ecological balance
The consumption of crickets and other edible insects can be a solution to avoid overexploitation of wild species for food. Intensive fishing and hunting have led to the depletion of many fish and wild animal populations, negatively affecting biodiversity and the balance of fish (Van A., 2013). By raising and consuming crickets, we can reduce pressure on wild species and allow them to recover and regenerate. Crickets can act as an alternative and sustainable protein source to feed the human population, which in turn relieves pressure on natural resources and promotes ecological balance. 

As more people become familiar with the environmental benefits of eating crickets, it is possible that this practice will become an integral part of a sustainable and environmentally friendly diet.

As we face challenges such as food security and climate change, it is crucial to consider more sustainable and nutritious alternatives. Crickets stand out as a source of protein and nutrients that are highly beneficial for human health and the environment. From improving nutrition and overall well-being to reducing our ecological footprint, these little insects have an important role to play in the future of food. 

The next time you hear the cricket chirping, remember the surprising benefits it can provide for your health. Also, if you consume edible insects, they should be raised in controlled-environment farms to ensure their safety —it is not enough that it is an edible insect, you should also consider the breeding model. We always compare it to seeing  a chicken on the street: You wouldn’t take it home because you don’t know where it came from or what it was fed. It is the same with insects.  Be part of the change by choosing  responsibly and sustainably.

References:

Van A., (2013). Potencial de los insectos como alimento y pienso para garantizar la seguridad alimentaria. Annual Review of Entomology. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153704
Makkar S., Tran G. & Ankers P. (2014). Algas marinas para dietas de ganado. Animal Feed Science and Technology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0377840115300274?via%3Dihub
Verbeke W., Pérez J. & Grunert G., (2015). Actitudes y preferencias de los ciudadanos y consumidores europeos con respecto a la carne de vacuno y cerdo. Meat Science. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0309174009001302?via%3Dihub