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Insectageddon

A recent global scientific review found that more than 40% of insects are declining at a rate of 2.5% per year.

Insects live all around us and if a recent scientific review is anything to go by, then they are on the path to extinction. The analysis found that more than 40% of insect species are decreasing and that a decline rate of 2.5% a year suggests they could disappear in 100 years. And as some headlines in February warned of the catastrophic collapse of nature, some More or Less listeners questioned the findings. Is insect life really in trouble?

Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producer: Darin Graham

(Image: Hairy hawker dragonfly. Credit: Science Photo Library)

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9 minutes

Last on

Tue 5 Mar 2019 02:50GMT
BBC World Service

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Broadcasts

  • Mon 4 Mar 2019 13:50GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 5 Mar 2019 02:50GMT
    BBC World Service

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