Earth Day: Embracing Technological Change and Government Action for a Sustainable Future

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a reminder of the importance of environmental consciousness and the need to protect our planet. However, the mantra of personal responsibility often distracts from the crucial changes required to decarbonize our economy and achieve a truly sustainable future. In fact, the idea of individual 'carbon footprints' was created by the oil industry to shift focus away from fossil fuels. So, as we reflect on Earth Day, what must be done to prevent catastrophic climate change? The answer lies in embracing technological advancements, supported by government policies that encourage innovation and remove barriers to progress.

Solar Power - A Model for Technological Change and Government Support

The rapid decline in solar power costs which have continued even in recent years is a testament to the power of technological advancements. In 2010, a study of nearly 3,000 expert predictions estimated an annual cost reduction of 2.6% for the decade ahead, with none anticipating more than a 6% reduction. In reality, solar power costs fell by an impressive 15% per year.

The U.S. government has invested in solar R&D for decades, with over $150 billion in federal subsidies allocated to non-hydro renewables since the 1950s. As a result of the rapidly decreasing price of solar—enabled by improving technology and increased scale, and then supported by tax credits and subsidies—installed capacity around the world has risen dramatically, and is continuing on a steep upward trajectory.?

But despite solar power now being more affordable than fossil fuels, bureaucratic red tape and NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) challenges hinder its rapid adoption. As of 2021 more than 100 ordinances across 31 states blocked new wind and solar developments. And building new electricity transmission lines can take over a decade (crazy stat: in the past ten years, the US added ten miles of natural gas pipeline for every mile of electricity transmission). Expediting permitting processes and easing regulations would help to significantly accelerate the clean energy transition.

Cultivated Meat - A New Frontier for Sustainability

Livestock accounts for somewhere between 11-17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. With the world's population growing wealthier and demanding to eat more and more meat, finding sustainable alternatives is crucial.?

Trying to persuade people to eat less meat? isn’t a winning strategy. Instead, we need to figure out how to create real meat in a better way. This is exactly what cultivated meat promises—real meat, but grown from animal cells instead of animals, enabling the same products people love but without the environmental issues.?

Since the first cultivated meat burger in 2013, which cost $330,000, private investment has driven technological advancements to reduce costs significantly. Innovations in synthetic biology, cell line engineering, and bioreactor design will continue to decrease prices, making cultivated meat more accessible (“Moo’s Law”).

For cultivated meat to replace a significant portion of conventional meat production, however, government support will be necessary to rapidly build out the hundreds of large-scale manufacturing facilities. According to an analysis commissioned by the Good Food Institute (GFI), replacing 10% of the conventional meat industry within a decade would require 4,000 large-scale cultivated meat facilities, 500 of which would be in the U.S. It’s great that The White House has recognized the need for cultivated meat investment, but tangible support is still lacking.

Since 1995, the USDA has spent almost $50 billion on subsidies for livestock operators in the U.S. Price is a major driver of food purchasing decisions, so if the government is serious about helping the world shift away from conventional meat and into cultivated meat, it needs to ensure (at least) a level playing field, and eliminate these subsidies.?

While individual actions matter, Earth Day's true potential lies in harnessing technological change and government support to drive large-scale change. By promoting innovations like solar power and cultivated meat, and implementing policies that remove barriers to progress, we can make every day Earth Day.