Can Insects Feed the Future?

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1. 01Can Insects Feed the Future?

   Good afternoon, everyone. The world's population keeps growing, and producing enough protein is becoming a serious challenge. Today, I'd like to talk about a surprising possible answer: eating insects.

   大家下午好。世界人口不断增长，生产足够的蛋白质正成为一个严峻的挑战。今天，我想谈谈一个令人意外的可能答案：吃昆虫。

2. 02Not as Strange as It Sounds

   For many of us, this sounds strange. But according to the United Nations, at least two billion people already eat insects as part of their normal diet, and more than one thousand nine hundred species are eaten around the world.

   对我们很多人来说，这听起来很奇怪。但根据联合国的数据，全世界至少有二十亿人已经把昆虫作为日常饮食的一部分，而且全球被食用的昆虫超过一千九百种。

   Source: FAO, "Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security" (2013)

3. 03Efficient Food

   The main advantage is efficiency. According to the same report, insects can turn about two kilograms of feed into one kilogram of body weight on average, while cattle need about eight.

   最大的优点是效率高。根据同一份报告，昆虫平均可以把大约两公斤饲料转化为一公斤体重，而牛则需要大约八公斤。

   Source: FAO, "Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security" (2013)

4. 04Good for Us, Too

   Insects can also be nutritious. Many kinds are rich in protein and contain healthy fats and minerals, similar to meat or fish.

   昆虫也可以很有营养。很多种类富含蛋白质，还含有健康的脂肪和矿物质，和肉类或鱼类差不多。

5. 05The "Yuck" Problem

   So why don't more people eat them? The biggest barrier is not science, but feelings. In many cultures, the idea of eating insects simply makes people say "yuck."

   那为什么吃昆虫的人没有更多呢？最大的障碍不是科学，而是感受。在很多文化中，光是想到吃昆虫，人们就会说“好恶心”。

6. 06Making Insects Easier to Accept

   One way to deal with this is to hide the insects. Some companies grind them into flour and use it in pasta, bread, or protein bars, so people don't see the insect at all.

   解决这个问题的一个办法，就是把昆虫藏起来。有些公司把昆虫磨成粉，用在意大利面、面包或蛋白棒里，这样人们完全看不到昆虫的样子。

7. 07Rules Are Changing

   Governments are also paying attention. In 2021, the European Union approved dried yellow mealworms as a safe food for the first time.

   各国政府也开始关注。2021年，欧盟首次批准干燥的黄粉虫作为安全食品。

   Source: European Commission, approval of dried yellow mealworm as a novel food (2021)

8. 08Conclusion

   In conclusion, insects won't solve the world's food problems alone. But they are an efficient, nutritious option that deserves a place on our menu. Maybe one day, a cricket snack will seem completely normal. Thank you.

   总之，昆虫不能单独解决世界的粮食问题。但它们是一种高效又有营养的选择，值得在我们的菜单上占有一席之地。也许有一天，蟋蟀零食会变得再平常不过。谢谢大家。