What Can We Do To Save The Insects? Build Solar Arrays - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the alarming decline of insect populations, driven initially by habitat loss and pesticide use, and now increasingly exacerbated by climate change. Even protected forest areas are experiencing insect losses as warming and drying conditions disrupt ecosystems. This decline has cascading effects, notably on insect-eating birds, which have seen dramatic population drops in the US since the 1970s. The article emphasizes that climate change is a central threat to insects, altering natural rhythms and ecosystem interactions. A key positive insight presented is that solar arrays, often criticized for environmental impact, can actually serve as beneficial habitats for insects and other wildlife. The wide sunny spaces between solar panels support diverse species, attracting birds and mammals, and providing better habitats than surrounding agricultural monocultures, which are heavily treated with pesticides. Solar farms also have minimal human disturbance, further protecting these ecosystems. Additionally, solar energy offers a scalable, clean alternative to fossil fuels, helping mitigate climate change—the root cause of insect declines. To further support insect recovery, the article advocates for habitat restoration, reducing pesticide use, and creating insect-friendly environments such as wildflower meadows and native plant gardens. Examples include efforts like Britain’s King Charles III’s restoration of cultivated lands to natural habitats. The piece calls for cultural and land-use shifts to sustain pollinators, emphasizing that protecting insects requires both large-scale solutions like solar agrivoltaics and everyday actions such as sustainable gardening and pesticide reduction.