Perspective
Recognizing the potential of insects.

2020 is the much dreaded deadline when today's world population of nearly 6 billion will have doubled. From now until then, the problems facing humanity, and its mother ship Earth, will need to be tackled seriously, and without delay. In particular, the problems needing our primary attention can be summarized in the '4H' paradigm: human health, animal health, plant health and environmental health.

In vast areas of the Third World in particular, insects are vectors of major human, livestock and crop diseases, keeping development in slow gear. Global warming and environmental change have a marked influence on arthropod distribution and development. Disease vectors in particular may spread to new areas, and other insects may find the changed climatic condition more favourable for their development.

Since the 1950s, the use of pesticides and therapeutic drugs has increased steadily, and continues to do so. Despite this fact, there are more people and animals suffering from debilitating diseases, and more crop losses due to plant pests, than ever before. If no serious measures are taken soon, the trend will simply continue its deadly course. There are already numerous alarm signals raised across the landscape: polluted water wells, loss of pollinators, increased vector and plant resistance against insecticides; vertebrates (including humans) and invertebrates threatened by pesticide residues or their metabolites. ICIPE's mandate is and has always been to develop environmentally safe, economically affordable and easily adaptable methods and strategies for the management of noxious arthropods. These proposed solutions are sought mostly from nature rather than in the gene technology area, which is heralded as the saviour of humankind. We believe that real and sustainable solutions do come primarily from a better understanding of the ecosystem and judicious utilization of its elements. Such an approach is likely to provide sustainability, while conserving the integrity of the environment and the entrusted natural resources.

However, some insects, also represent a major potential income-generating opportunity for the developing countries. ICIPE has therefore included in its plans the development of an important activity in apiculture and sericulture. I believe that through research and capacity building, these growth sectors will develop rapidly and contribute significantly to the creation of wealth, a necessary ingredient of sustainable development.

Further benefits will accrue, as insects are a valuable resource in terms of ecosystem services (e.g. as pollinators, biological control agents); as food sources for animals and humans; a resource for biology education; and, among others, not least a source of enjoyment and natural beauty.

The 4H paradigm will be our guiding principle on which to build a sustainable development approach within a broad partnership. ICIPE is bringing into this partnership its insect science specialities and also its ability to think and act holistically, a lesson learned by working in the fascinating world of insects.

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