In Europe, the abundance of insects could have fallen by nearly 80% over the last three or four decades. It is very likely that our societies are incapable of curbing the race to disaster.
The collapse of insect populations, almost everywhere in Europe, is the most terrifying element of the unfolding environmental crisis. Not only because the problem is of unprecedented gravity, but also, and perhaps especially because it has remained completely absent from the public debate and from the political vision of our decision-makers. Indeed, it is likely that the majority of them know little or nothing about it. The problem is immense, urgent, and requires emergency measures, but most of us are unaware of its existence.