Bill Gates recently said he believes rich countries would help the global fight against climate change by consuming only plant-based meat products instead of beef.
In a recent interview with Technology Review, Gates discussed his new book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” and highlighted the benefits rich countries could bring by switching to “100% synthetic beef.”
“I really think all rich countries should switch to 100% synthetic beef,” Gates said 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 it taste even better over time.”
The philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft explained to the outlet that he is hopeful that a switch to plant proteins will help combat methane emissions from livestock.
“Impossible and Beyond have a road map, a high quality road map, and a cost road map, making them completely competitive,” said Gates, referring to popular plant-based meat companies. “In terms of scale today, they don’t represent 1% of the world’s meat, but they are on the way.”
Gates told Technology Review that he acknowledges the alternative argument that getting rid of cows is considered an unpopular approach, but said the benefits of plant protein are worth a shift for some countries.
“In the end, the green premium is so modest that you pay the [behavior of] people are using or using regulation to totally shift the demand, “Gates said.” So for meat in the middle income countries and above, I think it is possible. “