Insect Day 2025

On April 3, 2025, we celebrate the 7th Insect Day. This event, organized by Insect Respect under the motto „From Asphalt to Life“, focuses on unsealing urban areas and promoting biodiversity. The goal: to make cities more livable and sustainable. Insect Day serves as a vital platform to raise awareness about the dramatic consequences of insect decline and to discuss solutions. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), we are facing one of the largest extinction events in Earth’s history – a crisis that also affects Germany (source: Insect Respect).

Photo: Insect Respect

Why Insects Are Essential for Our Cities – and What Threatens Them

Insects are not only pollinators but also a crucial part of urban ecosystems. They contribute to soil formation, regulate pests and serve as a vital food source for other animals. However, urbanization and air pollution are taking a heavy toll on them. Studies, such as those from the University of Bayreuth, show that fine dust and other pollutants harm insect habitats and health. Air pollution can alter the chemical signals of plants, making it harder for insects to find food. Additionally, pollutants like ozone and nitrogen oxides damage the delicate respiratory systems of many insect species (taz.de).

Biodiversity in Urban Spaces: The 2025 Motto

This year’s motto, “From Asphalt to Life”, highlights the importance of transforming sealed urban areas into green habitats. Biodiversity is not only key to preserving species but also to improving the quality of life in cities. Green spaces cool the environment, enhance air quality, and provide recreational areas for people. According to the UN Decade on Biodiversity, the “restoration of ecosystems” by 2030 is one of the most pressing global challenges (source: United Nations).

Photos: PIXNIO, Meiying Ng & Shana Van Roosbroek from Unsplash

How Moss Filters Help

Our bio-digital moss filters, such as the CityTree, CityBreeze, and WallBreeze, are innovative solutions to improve air quality in cities while promoting biodiversity. Moss has the unique ability to bind fine dust and convert CO₂ into oxygen. Additionally, it provides habitats for insects like bees and butterflies. But moss can do even more: It serves as an ideal water source for bees!

High summer temperatures pose challenges for urban and rural animals alike. Bees, some of the hardest-working creatures on Earth, are essential for agriculture and global ecosystems. They ensure our food supply and contribute to biodiversity. However, during hot days and droughts, insects often struggle to find water. The lack of garden ponds and unsuitable birdbaths exacerbates the problem, as these are often “too large” and provide no secure footing (source: Frankfurter Rundschau).

This is where moss comes in: It stores water on its large leaf surface and releases it slowly, becoming a natural water source for bees and other insects. Our moss filters not only clean the air but also act as life-saving water dispensers for urban insect populations.

The Link Between Air Pollution and Insect Decline

Air pollution is one of the main drivers of insect population decline. Pollutants like fine dust and nitrogen oxides harm insect health and destroy their habitats. At the same time, the loss of insects worsens air pollution, as plants without pollinators grow less effectively and bind less CO₂. Our moss filters offer a dual solution: they clean the air and create habitats and water sources for insects.

Photos: GCS

Together for a Greener Future

Days like Insect Day 2025 remind us of the importance of promoting biodiversity in our cities. With innovative and natural solutions like multifunctional moss filters, we can improve air quality and contribute to saving insects.

Let’s work together to transform our cities from asphalt into vibrant, green oases – for us, for nature and for the insects.

Photo: GCS