The Sunset and Fall of Tiny Empires: Why the Death of Insects Threatens Life on the Planet

Did you know that right now on Earth, the first insect extinction in history is happening? Surviving 5 major crises, flies, dung beetles, and other tiny creatures are struggling with the pressure exerted by agriculture and urbanization. Journalist Oliver Milman, along with entomologists, investigates why insects are starting to die out and at what speed this is happening. At the same time, this book is not just a frightening brochure about an impending disaster, but also a collection of instructions for saving our planet. Can we replace bees with robotic pollinators? How does an unkempt lawn help insects survive? You will find answers to these questions in this book.

«An engaging, sobering, and important new book by journalist-ecologist Oliver Milman goes beyond the headlines, refreshingly aiming to encompass the complexity of the issue. Milman has an ear for good quotes and the ability to explain the results of scientific studies. He interviews dozens of experts, from beekeepers battling murder hornets in the Pacific Northwest to a biologist tracking beetle population declines through chemical traces in the feathers of birds that eat them». — The New York Times