As scientists search for ways to feed more people without increasing carbon footprint, a Finnish company claims to have discovered a revolutionary food source made out of thin air. In the beginning, people only breathe air but with this super-sustainable discovery, it seems that air can also be eaten.
As intriguing as it is, Solein is a gold-colored, bland-tasting powder that is very rich in protein. It contains as much nutrition as you get from meat products but without a colossal carbon footprint. Using only air and sunshine, some bacteria, and a sprinkle of minerals, Solein aims to replace animal-based nutrition.
Food production is the basic industry for human survival but it is also one of the primary factors of greenhouse gas emissions. That is because every year, the world needs to produce 100 million tons of fertilizer and feeds for livestock, which accounts for roughly 1 percent of the world’s energy.
That being said, Solein aims to solve this issue by minimizing the use of livestock and industrialized animal keeping for food production. If using livestock continues to grow and people harvest that kind of nourishment with significantly fewer resources, the world will soon reach its ecological limit.
So, the formula is simple. Air + sunshine = food.
Today on the blog, you’re going to learn more about Solein and how it can be utilized as a sustainable alternative for meat products.
How it Works
Growing Solen is somewhat like brewing beer, where the bacteria is placed on a solar-powered fermenter. Using only water and carbon dioxide from the air, it gradually produces yellow residues or powder that’s packed with proteins and vital nutrients like iron and vitamin B.
Compared with animal products, the production of Solein is quite easy. And with the same nutrient value as with common animals, it’s said to be “the protein of the future”.
- The fermenter extracts water and Co2 from the air around us.
- It splits water into hydrogen and oxygen and feeds it to the cells for natural
- The process allows cells to multiply, producing proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
- Water is drained from the residue, leaving Solein powder
Same but only better
Solein is aimed to be part of people’s everyday diet as an alternative to meat products. They taste the same and contain similar nutritional value but the production is less damaging to the earth. There are several plant-based drinks and meal alternatives but they don’t provide nutrition like iron, vitamin B, and amino acids like Solein. You will see some plant-based chicken snacks and other plant-based protein products, which can taste like real meat and have a few nutrients in them. But Solein is more sustainable in terms of production and richer in nutrients.
But while not everyone is ready to brave a meat-free diet, Solein can also be used to enhance other products like spreads, yogurts, snack bars, and cereals. That way, there is no need to abruptly replace meat all in one seating. By consuming other products, you can get the benefits of eating natural meat products.
Take note that a few efforts have already been made in seeking for meat alternatives. You can check out protein rich plant-based products like the Beyond-Beef Plant Based Ground and other Beyond-Beef products for yourself. One discovery lead to another until it has finally reached the market. Similarly, when Solein reaches the market, it will inspire more discoveries for a sustainable food that are even better than what’s already available at present.
Food without farming
If Solein becomes publicly available in the market, it will reduce the current pressure on agricultural workers to produce more live stocks every year. It also reduces carbon emission that usually comes from doubling the production of feeds and fertilizer to keep up with the demand.
Solein replaces fossil fuel with renewable resource of a healthy and protein rich food. If you’ve seen the American Netflix Series “The 100”, you would understand just how important protein and other meat-based nutrients in the body. But in this movie, during an apocalyptic era, the leaders of pack were forced to take the meat of humans just to supplement protein supply after they were trapped in bunker for five years.
Although nobody wants to come to this point and clearly it is fiction, at least we already have the answer for survival in case the world reaches its ecological limit – Solein. If you want to know more about the effects of food you eat and climate change, you can read the book, “Food and Climate Change Without the Hot Air” by S.L. Bridle.
Sustainable food for everyone
Solein is not only for vegetarians but it is for everyone. Currently, the global emission of carbon dioxide from food production is around 20 to 30 percent. Even if you install wind turbines and utilize hydropower for electricity, you’re only two-thirds home.
With the development of Solein, we hope to resolve the issue of carbon emission caused by meat production. If we have sufficient sustainable options for food supply without creating more emissions, it would big win for the climate.
Again, regardless of the many different decisions we make for the environment, food is a totally intimate issue. You can eat whatever you want but if you want to join the tirade of climate protectors, you can make an empowered decision starting with your food.
If you want more meatless recipe ideas, you can try the Meatless Monday Family Cookbook and start some changes one step at a time.
Way to an eco-future
Perhaps the most compelling part of Solein is that the supply is limitless. Labs can be sustainably built anywhere there is land such as in the Arctic desert where there is an abundant protein supply in the soil.
You know what is more compelling? It’s the fact that Solein actually consumes carbon dioxide instead of emitting it. Given its lower energy demand for the production it can be our way to a fully sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Like magic but real
Solein is specifically made up of 10% fats, 50% protein, and 25% carbohydrates. This is even way better than you see on product labels of popular meat brands in grocery stores. The unique creation is 10 times more energy-efficient and more climate-friendly considering that you don’t have to source out tons of water supply to feed the animals.
Solein is launching sooner than we think. Solar Foods, the company primarily responsible for its creation, has already applied for food approval in the United Kingdom and Europe. Once its first factory opens and starts production, Solein will be available to B2B companies in the next following years.
The availability of Solein in the market will make a major reduction in the world’s carbon emissions. That means the UK alone can reduce at least 100% of its greenhouse gases by 2050. With agriculture and livestock accounting for at least 24% of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, finding more sustainable food options is a much-needed shift for a better future. Years from now, we won’t have to be killing more animals to live and the earth would be a better place to live.
So would you still eat meat? If you want to learn more views about a meatless future, “The Meat Paradox” will give you an eye-opener. This book provides a paradoxial view of the relationship of meat and human, and how continues meat consumption will affect our future.
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