Are insect burgers — and insect farming — the next big thing? In recent years, insects have gained increased attention as an underutilized protein source. Some argue that swapping burgers for bugs could help save the planet and feed it in one fell swoop — all while reducing the suffering of non-human animals. But is the climate promise of eating insects realistic, or is all the buzz destined to be a bust?

A new report from the Stockholm Environment Institute suggests the latter. After analyzing the industry and existing studies, researchers concluded that insect protein may be overblown as a climate solution, and urged caution before declaring insects the next big alternative protein.

“Insect farming is often framed as a sustainability solution,” writes Camilo Garzón, research associate at the institute. “But the benefits depend on how insects are produced and what they replace in our diets. On current evidence, the environmental case is far less clear-cut than often assumed.”

Arnold van Huis, professor of tropical entomology at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, is more optimistic. While he acknowledges some of the challenges and uncertainty facing insect proteins, he stresses that the industry is still very young, and that researchers are regularly learning new things that could help overcome those hurdles.

“It’s rapidly evolving,” van Huis tells Sentient.

Insects might not sound like a very appetizing meal to the average 21st century American, but humans have been eating them for thousands of years at least, according to archeological evidence. Insects were eaten by ancient Romans, and to a lesser extent by ancient Greeks, while sections of the Bible dictate which insects are and aren’t suitable for human consumption.

In many parts of the world, people still eat insects regularly. In Japan, aquatic fly larvae are sautéed in sugar and soy sauce and served as a delicacy, while winged termites are roasted, fried or turned into bread in a number of countries. Giant grubs are a popular insect cuisine in many parts of the world as well, and larvae are commonly used to flavor mezcal. All told, humans around the world consume over 2,200 species of insects.

Read the full article about insect farming by Seth Millstein at Sentient.