Insect numbers are in decline across the planet. Should we worry? Entomologist Marcus Byrne believes we should. Insects perform countless ecosystem services. These are little jobs in the background

Insect numbers are in decline across the planet. Should we worry? Entomologist Marcus Byrne believes we should. Insects perform countless ecosystem services. These are little jobs in the background that are massively important for our survival and that of the rest of the planet. So, what is the cause of this loss of insects? Marcus suggests that we don’t know for sure. The reasons could be anything from our widespread use of pesticides to habitat loss due to human-driven development. His research points strongly to the global increase of CO2 in the atmosphere as the most probable reason for this decline. In other words, rising CO2 levels could well be causing an insect apocalypse. We must see these findings as another strong motivation to reduce our CO2 output and safeguard the tiny creatures that run our planet. Marcus Byrne is a professor of entomology at Wits University, South Africa, where he teaches zoology and entomology. He grew up in the UK and despite being terrified of its limited fauna he avidly watched Jacques Cousteau and David Attenborough on the TV. Moving to South Africa, he got a job as a technician at the Dung Beetle Research Unit in Pretoria. At the time the unit was exporting African dung beetles to control dung-breeding flies in Australia. This experience opened his eyes to two wonderful aspects of insects; firstly biological control where one organism is used to control the population of another, and secondly dung beetles, which are enigmatic little insects that continue to entertain him to this day, 30 years after first encountering them. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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2015 Plastic Pollution Coalition Video - Narrated by PPC Notable supporter, actor Jeff Bridges. www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org Plastic Pollution Coalition would like to thank: Jeff

2015 Plastic Pollution Coalition Video - Narrated by PPC Notable supporter, actor Jeff Bridges. www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org Plastic Pollution Coalition would like to thank: Jeff Bridges Georgienne Bradley Sea Save Foundation Jon Bowermaster Kate Connor Ed Begley Jr. Grant James Javier Mas Mas y Rallo Greg Stone Jill Mazursky Captain Charles Moore Algalita Marine Research and Education Nick Thune Abrielle Stedman Van Jones Andy Keller Fabien Cousteau Kelly Meyer Taina Uitto Jan Vozenilek Annie Farman Todd Sali The SandBox Bob Nixon Earth Conservation Corps Daryl Wallace Pam Longobardi Drifter's Project Nickos Myrtou Sergio Ko Ionian Cultural for Arts & Culture Mathew John Pearson Engineered Films Rajiv Joseph Lily Lakovidou Veronica Sive Sunjive Studios Life Without Plastic

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OceanElders was created to be a locus of collaboration in the field of ocean conservation.

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The Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) has been helping the U.S. manage its fisheries for decades, but new attacks from some in Congress are aimed at weakening it. Divers should be the first line of defense

The Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) has been helping the U.S. manage its fisheries for decades, but new attacks from some in Congress are aimed at weakening it. Divers should be the first line of defense for the MSA. Add your name today: https://act.oceana.org/page/9250/action/1?ea.tracking.id=twitter&_ga=2.211601429.1268938970.1511898784-1728242046.1441809501 Music by Spearfisher https://www.facebook.com/spearfishermusic/

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The Magnuson-Stevens Act, our key fisheries management law is under threat. If some in Congress have their way, our oceans will be pillaged for the sake of short-term profits. Tell law makers to

The Magnuson-Stevens Act, our key fisheries management law is under threat. If some in Congress have their way, our oceans will be pillaged for the sake of short-term profits. Tell law makers to defend the Magnuson-Stevens act.

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Bob Evans of the

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