Butterfly farming plays an important role in sustaining the environment.

Many countries
with rainforest ecosystems are making the switch from traditional agriculture to butterfly
farming. Most forms of traditional agriculture in tropical climates utilize deforestation practices
to make room for planting (http://www.angkorbutterfly.com/butterflyfarming.html). Conversely,
maintaining the existing habitat and ecosystem are of extreme importance for successful butterfly
farming.
Butterfly farmers are encouraged to maintain and/or plant large areas with plants that are
native to the land (http://www.butterflyfarm.co.cr/en/educational-resources/the-scientificrealm/why-butterfly-farming.html). These plants are used to develop a habitat and food source
for the butterflies and their larvae. This encourages people to commit to conservation practices.
Additionally, farmers are deterred from the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides that
can damage the environment.
Butterfly farms are then able to provide butterflies and plants for butterfly gardens around
the world. The Butterfly Garden in Luxembourg obtains their butterflies from Butterfly Farms in
Costa Rica. Chrysalises are shipped to Luxembourg and carefully placed in an enclosed case
until they hatch. Since butterfly gardens such as the one on Luxembourg have to order
butterflies frequently (every 2-3 weeks), this is a business that provides a consistent income
(http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/16/world/africa/butterfly-farm-tanzania/).
This illustrates the point that the practice of butterfly farming meets the interrelated needs
of all four pillars of sustainable development environment, society, economy and culture. By
reducing the frequency of deforestation practices and maintaining the natural habitat, butterfly
farming is able to meet the environmental needs for sustainable development. Additionally,
butterfly farming provides individuals and communities with a reliable source of income that is

inexpensive to produce. Thereby, butterfly farming meets the needs of the society by reducing
poverty and the local economy by encouraging job growth and production. As a result, the
cultural of these communities shifts to one that is committed to utilizing sustainable practices.
McKeown (2002) reminds us that as the area of overlap increases [between the pillars]
so does human well-being. In the CNN article, Amiri Saidi of the Amani Butterfly Project
(http://www.amanibutterflyproject.org/index.htm) observes that butterfly farmers each have
their own forest area and use the money they are getting for replanting and other activities
(http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/16/world/ africa/butterfly-farm-tanzania/). It is also clear from
the video Butterfly Farm Costa Rica Entomological Supply (https://youtu.be/
V85701kEyLQ) that butterfly farming has positively impacted the well-being of individuals in
these tropical climates.
Moreover, preservation of the Earths rain forests is important for the planet as a whole.
Rainforests are necessary for the maintenance of the Earths temperature, weather, and fresh
drinking water supply (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/ rainforests/rainforestsfacts.xml). By preserving the natural habitat for butterfly farms rather than clearing the trees
for traditional agricultural exports these individuals are also preserving the Earths ecosystem.
Much like dropping a pebble into still water where one small ripple can make a large difference
these little butterfly farms could make a large difference in our future as a planet.