Alternative proteins
Humans need protein as part of a healthy diet, but the farming and processing of animal-based products is damaging to the environment. Alternative proteins can be created from: plants, such as soy, pulses, and seaweed; insects, such as crickets and mealworms; microbials, like algae and fungi; or lab grown, such as cultured meat.
Plant-based protein is well received by consumers. Vegan foods rose 10 times faster than food sales as a whole in the US in 2019, according to The Economist.
Cultivating plants typically requires fewer natural resources, such as water and land, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with raising and processing livestock. A study from the University of Oxford in 2021 found that switching to a plant-based, eco-friendly diet could reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the meat industry by 73%.
Controlled environment agriculture
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is the production of plants inside controlled environment structures, such as greenhouses, vertical farms, indoor farms, and controlled aqua culture ponds. Already, high-value crops such as leafy greens, fresh herbs, and cropping fruits like peppers and tomatoes, are being grown at maximum productivity in this efficient and environmentally friendly way. Research is under way to extend the variety of crops.
The Dutch are pioneers in designing and building greenhouses, with businesses focusing on climate control, energy efficiency and bio stimulants.
CEA features two technology-driven growing methods, hydroponics and aeroponics. Hydroponic farming means plants are grown in water rather than soil. Nutrients are added to the water to ensure healthy plants with maximum output. Aeroponic growing means plants are grown with their roots exposed to the air. The roots are misted regularly with water and vitamin solutions.
Regenerative agriculture
Regenerative agriculture aims to stop damaging the ecosystem and to improve it, while continuing to produce food, fibre and fuels. It focuses on improving soil health by moving carbon from the atmosphere back into soils through a variety of agricultural management practices that work in harmony with nature.
This transition calls for practices such as zero tillage, cover cropping, strip cultivation, rotational crops, and natural weed, pest and disease controls
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