CBS segment highlights how adding bugs to food system ‘could be game-changer’ to fight climate change

“CBS Saturday Morning” featured a segment suggesting adding insects into a diet could provide benefits for a growing world affected by climate change.

To counter meat, soybean-derived proteins, or other high-carbon foods, the segment described efforts by climate experts and scientists to explore farming bugs to protect the planet. 

“We all know how important insects are for the environment, but climate researchers say bugs could be a game changer in the fight to protect the planet in ways you may not have imagined,” host Dana Jacobson said.

Reporter Tina Kraus explained, “Adding some insects to the mix is customary in the kitchen in some parts of the world. Now climate experts think the protein-packed pests could offer a real solution to the global food crisis. Scientists in Germany are not pushing to get the critters your plate, they see another benefit.”

One scientist interviewed said their intention is not to force bugs onto menus but be used as an alternative for animal feed. 

“To have a more sustainable production of proteins, we need this and I see insects as a perfect tool,” the scientist argued. “And you can make so many things out of insects, and to make the world better.”

Kraus explained that this development is a reaction to the “large-scale growth of soybeans” that has been “blamed for extensive deforestation” while farming bugs require less food and water to sustain.

“It’s estimated up to 1.2 trillion insects are raised on farms each year as companies race to find a high-protein, low-carbon solution to feed animals and the world’s population,” Kraus stated. 

Jacobson concluded, “And with insect farming booming around the world, researchers are busy as bees looking for more climate-friendly fixes.”

Climate change activists including global leaders and celebrities have advocated for people to incorporate bugs into their daily diets as a way to sustain the planet.

According to a recent study from Michigan State University, many bugs, contrary to earlier prediction models, are expected to survive and even thrive in warmer climates.

However, this push to push people to eat bugs has met fierce opposition in the United States.

In March, a Utah school teacher was caught on video insisting to her students that eating bugs is a necessity to help the environment. 

“We don’t want to eat bugs and it’s gross. But should we be eating bugs? Yeah, because we’re killing the world by raising cows and animals. So we need to, not get rid of cows, but like, try to balance our diet so that not so much of our land is being used to raise cows, cause it’s killing the Ozone layer,” the teacher said. “All the evidence has suggested, that we probably should be eating bugs – it’s good for the environment, etc. But I didn’t know that that was an offensive topic to indicate.”