Why You Should Love Insects

What would it take for you to love insects?

Lisa Heldke interviews Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, who wants people to reconsider how we think and feel about insects, not just because of their integral role in our ecosystems but also because of the ways they affect our everyday life in unexpected ways. Sverdrup-Thygeson is an ecologist and conservation biologist who often appears on radio and TV in Norway as a science communicator and globally to spread a message of appreciation, respect, and even love for insects. She is also a best-selling author with her book Extraordinary Insects, which has now been translated into over two dozen languages. Sverdrup-Thygeson is currently a Professor of conservation biology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and a Scientific Advisor to the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.

In this interview, Sverdrup-Thygeson talks about why insects are so important for the global ecosystem, as well as how we can better bridge the gap between the scientific understanding of the significance of these little creatures and the everyday experiences we all have with them. The role of policy-making and communication surrounding insects and overall biodiversity are also discussed as vital ways to ensure insects are respected and protected.

You can look at the latest report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) here.

And check out Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson’s newest book, Tapestries of Life, on Amazon or wherever you get your books.

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