Bill Gates said recently that he believes rich countries would help in the global fight against climate change by consuming only products derived from vegetable meat instead of beef.
In a recent interview with Technology Review, Gates discussed his new book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” and emphasized the benefits that rich nations could produce by switching to “100% synthetic meat”.
“I really think that all rich countries should switch to 100% synthetic meat,” said Gates when asked how countries can help reduce methane emissions when it comes to food production. “You can get used to the difference in taste, and the claim is that they will make the taste even better over time.”
The philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder explained to the channel that he hopes that a switch to plant-based proteins will help combat methane emissions produced by livestock.
“Impossible and Beyond has a script, a quality script and a cost script, which makes them totally competitive,” said Gates, referring to popular vegetable-based meat companies. “As for the scale today, they don’t represent 1% of the world’s meat, but they are on the way.”
Gates told Technology Review that he recognizes the alternative argument that getting rid of cows is seen as an unpopular approach, but he said the benefits of plant protein are worth a change for some countries.
“Eventually, this green award is modest enough that you can change the [behavior of] “said Gates.” So, for meat in middle-income countries and above, I think it’s possible. “