The Role of Insects in Environmental Crisis Management: Implications of Climate Change and Environmental Pollution

Insects are increasingly recognized as pivotal agents in responding to global environmental crises, including climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. Their ecological functions, adaptability, and bioindicator roles make them critical to resilience-building and sustainable environmental management. This review systematically examined peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2024 across databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined eligibility criteria focusing on insect-mediated environmental functions. Data were extracted and synthesized thematically. The analysis revealed that insects contribute significantly to ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, waste degradation, and biocontrol. Their utility in bioremediation of pollutants, including plastics and heavy metals, was evident. Additionally, insects demonstrated adaptive responses to climate stressors, with implications for ecosystem function and stability. Insects serve both as ecological indicators and functional agents of environmental recovery. However, their effectiveness is moderated by factors such as functional diversity loss, pollutant interactions, and underrepresentation in global research. Strategic integration of insect-based interventions into environmental policies can enhance resilience to future crises.