How a Million Invertebrate Species Are Holding Life on Earth Together

How a Million Invertebrate Species Are Holding Life on Earth Together

By
Casey Lee

Publish Date:August 20, 2026

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📰 The quick summary: Naturalist Chris Packham calls on the public to appreciate and protect invertebrates, warning that these million-plus species are essential to all life on Earth and urgently need stronger pesticide regulations to survive.
📈 One key stat: Over one million invertebrate species share our planet, and their survival underpins entire ecosystems, including the birds, bats, and ultimately humans that depend on them.
💬 One key quote: “We are at a point of absolute crisis in our relations with the natural world, and we’ve got to protect our invertebrates,” said Chris Packham, naturalist, broadcaster, and campaigner.

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1️⃣ The big picture: Invertebrates, from leaf sheep to horseshoe crabs, make up over a million species on Earth and form the backbone of nearly every ecosystem on the planet. Despite their importance, many people have developed a learned fear of these creatures, dismissing them as pests rather than recognizing their vital roles. Naturalist Chris Packham is urging the public to shift that perspective, arguing that invertebrates lead far more intricate and fascinating lives than most people realize. In the UK, neonicotinoid pesticides that were banned in 2018 have again been approved for emergency use on sugar beet crops, a move Packham says should be sparking public outrage. Protecting invertebrates, he argues, is not just about saving small creatures but about safeguarding the entire web of life, including humans.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Growing public campaigns like the Guardian’s Invertebrate of the Year competition are successfully drawing attention to species that rarely make headlines, helping people connect with and care about creatures they might otherwise overlook. Every person who tends a wild corner of a garden or plants nectar sources creates a real refuge for invertebrate life in urban and suburban spaces. Public awareness is rising at a time when it matters most, giving conservationists a stronger base from which to push for meaningful policy change. Successful pesticide reform in France shows that governments can and do respond to public pressure, offering a clear model for what dedicated advocacy in the UK could achieve. Protecting invertebrates ultimately protects the entire food web, meaning action taken now can have cascading benefits for birds, bats, plants, and people for generations to come.

3️⃣ What’s next: In the UK, campaigners are pushing the government to reform and reduce pesticide use on farmland, particularly neonicotinoids that harm pollinating insects. Individuals can support invertebrates by creating wilder garden spaces and planting nectar sources. Beyond personal action, Packham urges the public to actively pressure lawmakers, since policy change at the national level is what will ultimately turn the tide for invertebrate populations.

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Read the full story here: The Guardian – Humans have learned to fear ‘bugs’, but we shouldn’t – life as we know it hinges on invertebrates

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