the mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor) and the super worm ( Zophobas morio). The objective of this paper, therefore, was to quantify the environmental impact attributed to the production of two tenebrionid species, viz. Although claims that insects are a more sustainable protein source than conventional livestock are widespread, to our knowledge, an LCA of any insect species used as a protein source has never been published. For mealworms, for instance, not only direct GHG emissions through respiration, but also GHG emissions related to feed production, and distribution as well as emissions due to the heating of the climate-controlled-rearing facility are quantified and attributed to a product. Within an LCA preselected parameters are quantified along the entire life cycle of a product. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a widely accepted method to quantify these parameters and has been used for various animal products. To choose among different sources of animal protein, GHG emissions, and other environmental parameters, such as land or fossil energy use, need to be assessed. However, this is only a part of the total GHG emissions in animal production chains. Husbandry contributions to GHG emissions is much lower for insects (2–122 g/kg mass gain) than for beef cattle (2850 g/kg mass gain), and in the lower range when compared to pigs (80–1130 g/kg mass gain). However, little data are available on the environmental impact associated with insect production. Various authors have suggested insects as an environmentally more friendly alternative to conventional livestock, ,. A suggested mitigation measure is a shift towards protein from lower impact animal species. People's choices for certain diets influence GHG emissions and other environmental parameters. Expansion of agricultural acreage by land clearing is a major source of GHG emissions, and one of the largest contributors to global warming. Currently, the livestock sector uses about 70% of all agricultural land, and is responsible for about 15% of the total emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG). The demand for food of animal origin is rising globally and is expected to increase by 70–80% between 20.
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