Do you remember seeing more flying insects in your childhood than you see today? If you have, you're not alone. There's a frightening trend worldwide. Research has found populations of flying insects have dropped dramatically - by as much as three quarters - over the past 30 years.

So, what is causing it? (Hint - it's more than you think.) What does it mean for ecosystems - and ourselves? And is there anything that we can do about it that goes beyond platitudes and that will make a meaningful difference? This post explains what's happening and the key reasons for it. My following blog episodes will explore how to effectively tackle each cause in turn.