Dear Mr. President: We Can't Talk Climate Without Talking Food

Dear Mr. President,

Addressing the climate crisis is, as you know, one of the biggest issues of our time. Last year I was happy to see you officially sign back the US as a member of the Paris Climate Agreement, showing the world that yes, the United States not only recognizes the perilous nature of the current state of the environment, but is ready to put actions towards meeting the instrumental and aggressive goals set for all countries. And just last week, you signed a truly historic bill, which devoted $369 billion towards addressing climate change—the largest amount ever made by the US towards such efforts.?

Hundreds of billions of dollars will now be put directly towards direct initiatives here in our country to help reduce global warming, with actionable and important steps, including the construction of windmills and solar panels for more sustainable energy;? as government-funded upgrades on buildings to increase energy efficiency; and incentives for people to purchase electric cars. While there have been some critiques on certain portions of the bill, top authorities on the matter have predicted that if we maintain the steps we've begun to put in place now, we will be able to make incredible strides towards the aggressive goals of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. However, there is one major piece of climate change contribution that was, unfortunately, left out: food.?

The EPA puts America's agricultural contribution to climate change at around 11.2%. This includes emissions that occur from various crops being grown, the N2O from soils, various gasses from livestock of all types, and other energy use that occurs on farms (without taking into account the MASSIVE amounts of water that animal agriculture requires—both for animals themselves and to grow the feed to maintain them). Additionally, there are? 40 million cows being raised every year in the US, most for the purpose of beef, and all contributing the most potent greenhouse gas—methane. With a solid third of all American methane emissions coming from cows, we need government action to help us shift our economy away from such a massive climate contributor.?

Additionally, the EPA's agricultural numbers do not include food waste, a massive issue at all levels, but especially the farm level. The last study done on this found nearly 34% of all food grown in the US to be thrown out or left to rot at this stage of the supply chain—a massively under-reported cause of GHG emissions. While there is supposed to be a plan for farmers to help reduce this, it doesn't even seem to be explained (or live) on the USDA site itself.?

But here is the real kicker: we are spending nearly $50B a year to subsidize the meat industry. In comparison, only a tiny amount is spent on farmers who grow fruits and vegetables for human consumption. And even less goes to alternative proteins. It was great to read the recent headlines about California investing $5M (million, not billion) into R&D for the cultivated meat space, but when you realize this amounts to 0.01% of the subsidies for conventional meat it really puts into perspective how far we have to go.

Now I ask you: does this make sense??

Yes, the new bill is putting $20B into existing conservation programs for farmers—mostly for the purpose of soil. But while this is an important initiative, it simply isn't enough (not to mention the lack of $ that was devoted to healthier school lunches, something more critical than ever with the toll inflation has taken on families nationwide). One of the impacts of climate change will be reduced arable land, causing even more challenges for farmers, and even higher prices for conventional meat. We as a company believe in farmers. We believe in our industry. We know it will take many ways and efforts to save the food system, the planet, and make sure nutrition security becomes not just fantasy for the future, but a reality for the present (soon). Our industry can (and will) get there by ourselves, eventually. But we can help you hit your goal of dramatically reducing methane emissions much, much faster with meaningful policy and financial support from the government.?

Mr. President, as Ezra Klein called for last year, it’s time to launch a moonshot for meatless meat. It’s time to start reducing the $50B of annual subsidies going into the conventional meat industry, and start putting some of those funds to work to make America the leader in alternative protein and cultivated meat research. Even a small fraction of this would supercharge research in the US, and help build a truly sustainable and food-secure future.?

- Joshua March?

Cofounder & CEO, SCiFi Foods