[Music] imagine the best meal you’ve ever eaten
imagine the best meal you’ve ever eaten
imagine the best meal you’ve ever eaten think about the tastes the smells the
think about the tastes the smells the
think about the tastes the smells the texture imagine some of you are thinking
texture imagine some of you are thinking
texture imagine some of you are thinking about meals that remind you of your
about meals that remind you of your
about meals that remind you of your childhood or your ethnic origin and
childhood or your ethnic origin and
childhood or your ethnic origin and others maybe thinking about a meal that
others maybe thinking about a meal that
others maybe thinking about a meal that was spectacularly tasteful and still
was spectacularly tasteful and still
was spectacularly tasteful and still others maybe thinking about a meal where
others maybe thinking about a meal where
others maybe thinking about a meal where it was actually the level of your hunger
it was actually the level of your hunger
it was actually the level of your hunger that made it spectacular not what you
that made it spectacular not what you
that made it spectacular not what you ate there are so many ways that food can
ate there are so many ways that food can
ate there are so many ways that food can conjure up happy memories for us now one
conjure up happy memories for us now one
conjure up happy memories for us now one connection I have in my own personal
connection I have in my own personal
connection I have in my own personal life to food is that I really like to
life to food is that I really like to
life to food is that I really like to cook and I find that cooking opens up my
cook and I find that cooking opens up my
cook and I find that cooking opens up my creativity and turns loose my creative
creativity and turns loose my creative
creativity and turns loose my creative juices in a very effective way of being
juices in a very effective way of being
juices in a very effective way of being able to explore different kinds of
able to explore different kinds of
able to explore different kinds of flavors and think about combining crazy
flavors and think about combining crazy
flavors and think about combining crazy combinations of foods and when I’m
combinations of foods and when I’m
combinations of foods and when I’m successful it makes people really happy
successful it makes people really happy
successful it makes people really happy so I I really love the diverse options
so I I really love the diverse options
so I I really love the diverse options we have when we think about cooking and
we have when we think about cooking and
we have when we think about cooking and creativity that allows but I have
creativity that allows but I have
creativity that allows but I have another connection to food and that is
another connection to food and that is
another connection to food and that is I’m an environmental scientist and this
I’m an environmental scientist and this
I’m an environmental scientist and this connection unfortunately constrains my
connection unfortunately constrains my
connection unfortunately constrains my options with food because the choices we
options with food because the choices we
options with food because the choices we make in terms of the food we eat and the
make in terms of the food we eat and the
make in terms of the food we eat and the way we produce it have big environmental
way we produce it have big environmental
way we produce it have big environmental impacts and I’m exposed to these in a
impacts and I’m exposed to these in a
impacts and I’m exposed to these in a very deep way in my own work and in the
very deep way in my own work and in the
very deep way in my own work and in the work of my colleagues and this has
work of my colleagues and this has
work of my colleagues and this has influenced my own personal choices from
influenced my own personal choices from
influenced my own personal choices from the standpoint of the types of foods
the standpoint of the types of foods
the standpoint of the types of foods that I consume and the types of foods
that I consume and the types of foods
that I consume and the types of foods that I cook well these constraints are
that I cook well these constraints are
that I cook well these constraints are unfortunately going to get worse in a
unfortunately going to get worse in a
unfortunately going to get worse in a dramatic way over the coming decades as
dramatic way over the coming decades as
dramatic way over the coming decades as we project that global demand for animal
we project that global demand for animal
we project that global demand for animal protein is going to go up a lot
protein is going to go up a lot
protein is going to go up a lot and it’s going to go up for two reasons
and it’s going to go up for two reasons
and it’s going to go up for two reasons one is that there gonna be a few billion
one is that there gonna be a few billion
one is that there gonna be a few billion more people on the planet mostly in
more people on the planet mostly in
more people on the planet mostly in Africa and that’s the predictable part
Africa and that’s the predictable part
Africa and that’s the predictable part of this the other is that as people in
of this the other is that as people in
of this the other is that as people in the developing world get wealthier their
the developing world get wealthier their
the developing world get wealthier their diets tend to change in a pretty
diets tend to change in a pretty
diets tend to change in a pretty dramatic way to include a much higher
dramatic way to include a much higher
dramatic way to include a much higher fraction of animal protein in the diet
fraction of animal protein in the diet
fraction of animal protein in the diet and this effect over the coming decades
and this effect over the coming decades
and this effect over the coming decades actually turns out to be a bigger impact
actually turns out to be a bigger impact
actually turns out to be a bigger impact than the increase in the number of
than the increase in the number of
than the increase in the number of people but if we put these two factors
people but if we put these two factors
people but if we put these two factors together there are a variety of
together there are a variety of
together there are a variety of projections that have suggested that we
projections that have suggested that we
projections that have suggested that we might see a doubling of global demand
might see a doubling of global demand
might see a doubling of global demand for animal protein by the middle of this
for animal protein by the middle of this
for animal protein by the middle of this century relative to where we were just a
century relative to where we were just a
century relative to where we were just a few years ago now what would it actually
few years ago now what would it actually
few years ago now what would it actually mean to produce twice as much animal
mean to produce twice as much animal
mean to produce twice as much animal protein to meet this demand well I went
protein to meet this demand well I went
protein to meet this demand well I went to a talk by one of my colleagues Dave
to a talk by one of my colleagues Dave
to a talk by one of my colleagues Dave Tillman at the University of California
Tillman at the University of California
Tillman at the University of California at Santa Barbara about four years ago
at Santa Barbara about four years ago
at Santa Barbara about four years ago where he analyzed what the consequences
where he analyzed what the consequences
where he analyzed what the consequences would be of producing this many more
would be of producing this many more
would be of producing this many more cows and sheep and goats and pigs and
cows and sheep and goats and pigs and
cows and sheep and goats and pigs and chicken and the basic answer was it is
chicken and the basic answer was it is
chicken and the basic answer was it is an enormous an environmental impact and
an enormous an environmental impact and
an enormous an environmental impact and they explored a whole variety of
they explored a whole variety of
they explored a whole variety of creative ways that you could potentially
creative ways that you could potentially
creative ways that you could potentially reduce these impacts but even with their
reduce these impacts but even with their
reduce these impacts but even with their best-case scenario the impacts were
best-case scenario the impacts were
best-case scenario the impacts were really large here’s a couple just
really large here’s a couple just
really large here’s a couple just examples an enormous amount of land
examples an enormous amount of land
examples an enormous amount of land needs to be converted into food
needs to be converted into food
needs to be converted into food production so this they estimated a
production so this they estimated a
production so this they estimated a couple of billion hectares and to put
couple of billion hectares and to put
couple of billion hectares and to put that in a context that’s equivalent to
that in a context that’s equivalent to
that in a context that’s equivalent to about 2 billion football fields being
about 2 billion football fields being
about 2 billion football fields being converted from natural habitats into
converted from natural habitats into
converted from natural habitats into food production also big impacts when we
food production also big impacts when we
food production also big impacts when we think about greenhouse gas emissions
think about greenhouse gas emissions
think about greenhouse gas emissions they projected a few additional Giga
they projected a few additional Giga
they projected a few additional Giga tons of greenhouse gases now a Giga ton
tons of greenhouse gases now a Giga ton
tons of greenhouse gases now a Giga ton is a billion tons and that’s a hard
is a billion tons and that’s a hard
is a billion tons and that’s a hard thing for I think any of us to relate to
thing for I think any of us to relate to
thing for I think any of us to relate to but just to put this into context of
but just to put this into context of
but just to put this into context of what that means in terms of the mass of
what that means in terms of the mass of
what that means in terms of the mass of those gases going at the atmosphere
those gases going at the atmosphere
those gases going at the atmosphere they’d be equivalent to about 450
they’d be equivalent to about 450
they’d be equivalent to about 450 million African elephants or 20 million
million African elephants or 20 million
million African elephants or 20 million Blueway
Blueway
Blueway of greenhouse gases being added to the
of greenhouse gases being added to the
of greenhouse gases being added to the atmosphere every year so these are
atmosphere every year so these are
atmosphere every year so these are enormous impacts and after I sat through
enormous impacts and after I sat through
enormous impacts and after I sat through this talk it was it was very sobering
this talk it was it was very sobering
this talk it was it was very sobering obviously these are really big
obviously these are really big
obviously these are really big challenges that we face on the planet to
challenges that we face on the planet to
challenges that we face on the planet to meet a projected growth in demand in
meet a projected growth in demand in
meet a projected growth in demand in ways that keep people healthy but also
ways that keep people healthy but also
ways that keep people healthy but also keep the planet healthy and I think one
keep the planet healthy and I think one
keep the planet healthy and I think one of the most sobering aspects was I
of the most sobering aspects was I
of the most sobering aspects was I didn’t hear any solution that was
didn’t hear any solution that was
didn’t hear any solution that was hopeful so I went home that night and I
hopeful so I went home that night and I
hopeful so I went home that night and I was sitting down at dinner and my inner
was sitting down at dinner and my inner
was sitting down at dinner and my inner marine biologist was looking down at the
marine biologist was looking down at the
marine biologist was looking down at the fish on my plate and I thought you know
fish on my plate and I thought you know
fish on my plate and I thought you know we need to be looking elsewhere for
we need to be looking elsewhere for
we need to be looking elsewhere for effective solutions to this problem and
effective solutions to this problem and
effective solutions to this problem and it struck me that most of the analyses
it struck me that most of the analyses
it struck me that most of the analyses that had been going on at this time
that had been going on at this time
that had been going on at this time about how we could actually meet this
about how we could actually meet this
about how we could actually meet this demand we’re ignoring the ocean why why
demand we’re ignoring the ocean why why
demand we’re ignoring the ocean why why wasn’t the sea part of the search for a
wasn’t the sea part of the search for a
wasn’t the sea part of the search for a solution to this problem and I think the
solution to this problem and I think the
solution to this problem and I think the reason is is because we already have
reason is is because we already have
reason is is because we already have lots of evidence that there are
lots of evidence that there are
lots of evidence that there are environmental challenges that are
environmental challenges that are
environmental challenges that are compromising the productivity of our
compromising the productivity of our
compromising the productivity of our oceans today and so the prospect of
oceans today and so the prospect of
oceans today and so the prospect of thinking about how these could be
thinking about how these could be
thinking about how these could be producing that much more was challenging
producing that much more was challenging
producing that much more was challenging to a lot of people but I work in many
to a lot of people but I work in many
to a lot of people but I work in many ways on fixing fisheries and making them
ways on fixing fisheries and making them
ways on fixing fisheries and making them more sustainable and I know that even
more sustainable and I know that even
more sustainable and I know that even though we have compromised overfishing
though we have compromised overfishing
though we have compromised overfishing around the world particularly in the
around the world particularly in the
around the world particularly in the parts of the world where this growth in
parts of the world where this growth in
parts of the world where this growth in demand is going to be the greatest our
demand is going to be the greatest our
demand is going to be the greatest our work has shown and a number of others
work has shown and a number of others
work has shown and a number of others have shown that if you fix some of these
have shown that if you fix some of these
have shown that if you fix some of these fisheries you can in the long run
fisheries you can in the long run
fisheries you can in the long run actually catch more fish and so we ask
actually catch more fish and so we ask
actually catch more fish and so we ask the question of could the untapped
the question of could the untapped
the question of could the untapped bounty from the sea actually provide a
bounty from the sea actually provide a
bounty from the sea actually provide a much more planet friendly way for us to
much more planet friendly way for us to
much more planet friendly way for us to go forward in terms of meeting this
go forward in terms of meeting this
go forward in terms of meeting this demand so a group of my colleagues at UC
demand so a group of my colleagues at UC
demand so a group of my colleagues at UC Santa Barbara compiled the most
Santa Barbara compiled the most
Santa Barbara compiled the most comprehensive analysis of the global
comprehensive analysis of the global
comprehensive analysis of the global status of the world’s fisheries to try
status of the world’s fisheries to try
status of the world’s fisheries to try to say what’s the potential upside from
to say what’s the potential upside from
to say what’s the potential upside from fixing the world’s fisheries
fixing the world’s fisheries
fixing the world’s fisheries and what we found is that there’s an
and what we found is that there’s an
and what we found is that there’s an enormous upside for the ocean that if
enormous upside for the ocean that if
enormous upside for the ocean that if you fixed all the world’s fisheries we
you fixed all the world’s fisheries we
you fixed all the world’s fisheries we estimated you would have about 50
estimated you would have about 50
estimated you would have about 50 percent more fish in the sea after
percent more fish in the sea after
percent more fish in the sea after fixing that problem and at the same time
fixing that problem and at the same time
fixing that problem and at the same time we estimated you be able to catch
we estimated you be able to catch
we estimated you be able to catch somewhere between 10 and 20 million
somewhere between 10 and 20 million
somewhere between 10 and 20 million metric tons of more fish sustainably
metric tons of more fish sustainably
metric tons of more fish sustainably each year now that’s a lot of fish and a
each year now that’s a lot of fish and a
each year now that’s a lot of fish and a lot of food but how does it compare to
lot of food but how does it compare to
lot of food but how does it compare to this challenge we face in terms of this
this challenge we face in terms of this
this challenge we face in terms of this projected really large growth in demand
projected really large growth in demand
projected really large growth in demand well unfortunately it amounts to less
well unfortunately it amounts to less
well unfortunately it amounts to less than 5% of what that projected growth in
than 5% of what that projected growth in
than 5% of what that projected growth in demand is it’s a small contribution
demand is it’s a small contribution
demand is it’s a small contribution although it’s the most important I think
although it’s the most important I think
although it’s the most important I think environmental contribution we could make
environmental contribution we could make
environmental contribution we could make because this is a source of food that
because this is a source of food that
because this is a source of food that actually has pure environmental benefits
actually has pure environmental benefits
actually has pure environmental benefits there are no added costs of fixing the
there are no added costs of fixing the
there are no added costs of fixing the fisheries it’s all net environmental
fisheries it’s all net environmental
fisheries it’s all net environmental benefits but even if we can fix every
benefits but even if we can fix every
benefits but even if we can fix every fishery on the planet we still have a
fishery on the planet we still have a
fishery on the planet we still have a long way to go for the oceans to be a
long way to go for the oceans to be a
long way to go for the oceans to be a significant tribute er to this problem
significant tribute er to this problem
significant tribute er to this problem so that meant we started to focus on a
so that meant we started to focus on a
so that meant we started to focus on a different way that the oceans can
different way that the oceans can
different way that the oceans can contribute food and that’s aquaculture
contribute food and that’s aquaculture
contribute food and that’s aquaculture farming of the sea now aquaculture in
farming of the sea now aquaculture in
farming of the sea now aquaculture in the last few years has actually
the last few years has actually
the last few years has actually surpassed the productive capacity of all
surpassed the productive capacity of all
surpassed the productive capacity of all the world’s wild fisheries combined and
the world’s wild fisheries combined and
the world’s wild fisheries combined and today we can produce several hundred
today we can produce several hundred
today we can produce several hundred different species in aquaculture by
different species in aquaculture by
different species in aquaculture by farming them in the sea but despite that
farming them in the sea but despite that
farming them in the sea but despite that to tell you the truth I’d really never
to tell you the truth I’d really never
to tell you the truth I’d really never really paid much attention at all to
really paid much attention at all to
really paid much attention at all to aquaculture and part of it was because
aquaculture and part of it was because
aquaculture and part of it was because most of the story about aquaculture that
most of the story about aquaculture that
most of the story about aquaculture that I had been exposed to is really focusing
I had been exposed to is really focusing
I had been exposed to is really focusing on its negative impacts the fact that it
on its negative impacts the fact that it
on its negative impacts the fact that it commonly is associated with land
commonly is associated with land
commonly is associated with land conversion such as cutting down mangrove
conversion such as cutting down mangrove
conversion such as cutting down mangrove forests or it can cause entanglement
forests or it can cause entanglement
forests or it can cause entanglement with wild species or it can lead to the
with wild species or it can lead to the
with wild species or it can lead to the escape of farmed animals that it can
escape of farmed animals that it can
escape of farmed animals that it can interact in ecosystems or can lead to
interact in ecosystems or can lead to
interact in ecosystems or can lead to spread of disease there’s a number of
spread of disease there’s a number of
spread of disease there’s a number of different kinds of problems and these
different kinds of problems and these
different kinds of problems and these have really I think dominated the
have really I think dominated the
have really I think dominated the discussion when we think about
discussion when we think about
discussion when we think about aquaculture as a source of food for the
aquaculture as a source of food for the
aquaculture as a source of food for the planet
planet
planet and yet when I put it in this context of
and yet when I put it in this context of
and yet when I put it in this context of what role this could play in terms of
what role this could play in terms of
what role this could play in terms of compared to alternative sources of food
compared to alternative sources of food
compared to alternative sources of food you know it’s pretty clear that all of
you know it’s pretty clear that all of
you know it’s pretty clear that all of these forms of impacts are shared by all
these forms of impacts are shared by all
these forms of impacts are shared by all forms of food production and so if we’re
forms of food production and so if we’re
forms of food production and so if we’re really going to answer this question of
really going to answer this question of
really going to answer this question of what’s the most planet-friendly way that
what’s the most planet-friendly way that
what’s the most planet-friendly way that we can move forward in terms of
we can move forward in terms of
we can move forward in terms of producing food we have to evaluate these
producing food we have to evaluate these
producing food we have to evaluate these impacts in a level playing field how do
impacts in a level playing field how do
impacts in a level playing field how do they compare to other ways that we could
they compare to other ways that we could
they compare to other ways that we could potentially produce a similar amount of
potentially produce a similar amount of
potentially produce a similar amount of food so we pulled together this kind of
food so we pulled together this kind of
food so we pulled together this kind of a global analysis for looking at all the
a global analysis for looking at all the
a global analysis for looking at all the forms of meat production we can think of
forms of meat production we can think of
forms of meat production we can think of and looked at a whole variety of
and looked at a whole variety of
and looked at a whole variety of different environmental impacts how much
different environmental impacts how much
different environmental impacts how much air you have to convert into food
air you have to convert into food
air you have to convert into food production the amount of greenhouse
production the amount of greenhouse
production the amount of greenhouse gases that get added to the atmosphere
gases that get added to the atmosphere
gases that get added to the atmosphere fresh water use nutrient pollution and a
fresh water use nutrient pollution and a
fresh water use nutrient pollution and a variety of other metrics and so I’m
variety of other metrics and so I’m
variety of other metrics and so I’m going to simplify the results to you
going to simplify the results to you
going to simplify the results to you here with just some simple pictures by
here with just some simple pictures by
here with just some simple pictures by showing you a few animals where the size
showing you a few animals where the size
showing you a few animals where the size of the animal is going to be
of the animal is going to be
of the animal is going to be representative of the average level of
representative of the average level of
representative of the average level of environmental impact per pound of
environmental impact per pound of
environmental impact per pound of protein so for the same amount of food
protein so for the same amount of food
protein so for the same amount of food what’s the overall impact okay so the
what’s the overall impact okay so the
what’s the overall impact okay so the standard bear in terms of largest impact
standard bear in terms of largest impact
standard bear in terms of largest impact is cows and second is goats and sheep
is cows and second is goats and sheep
is cows and second is goats and sheep now I’m not going to show you every
now I’m not going to show you every
now I’m not going to show you every animal on the planet so don’t worry
animal on the planet so don’t worry
animal on the planet so don’t worry about it I’m just going to show you a
about it I’m just going to show you a
about it I’m just going to show you a few next chickens in this room if we go
few next chickens in this room if we go
few next chickens in this room if we go from there farmed fish and you may not
from there farmed fish and you may not
from there farmed fish and you may not even be able to see this but in farmed
even be able to see this but in farmed
even be able to see this but in farmed shellfish at the bottom so the results
shellfish at the bottom so the results
shellfish at the bottom so the results that come out of this show that one
that come out of this show that one
that come out of this show that one there’s enormous variability among
there’s enormous variability among
there’s enormous variability among different forms of food in terms of
different forms of food in terms of
different forms of food in terms of their impacts across these wide variety
their impacts across these wide variety
their impacts across these wide variety of different metrics and the other
of different metrics and the other
of different metrics and the other striking thing that caught me by
striking thing that caught me by
striking thing that caught me by surprise before after we did this
surprise before after we did this
surprise before after we did this analysis was despite the perception of
analysis was despite the perception of
analysis was despite the perception of aquaculture as being this really big
aquaculture as being this really big
aquaculture as being this really big problem from an environmental standpoint
problem from an environmental standpoint
problem from an environmental standpoint it was dramatically better than options
it was dramatically better than options
it was dramatically better than options on land and in fact if we look at
on land and in fact if we look at
on land and in fact if we look at shellfish in every single one of those
shellfish in every single one of those
shellfish in every single one of those environmental metrics it’s at least an
environmental metrics it’s at least an
environmental metrics it’s at least an order of magnitude lower impact per
order of magnitude lower impact per
order of magnitude lower impact per pound of protein
pound of protein
pound of protein and options on land so these are really
and options on land so these are really
and options on land so these are really big differences but what do they mean in
big differences but what do they mean in
big differences but what do they mean in the context of this problem of the
the context of this problem of the
the context of this problem of the amount of food that we need to produce
amount of food that we need to produce
amount of food that we need to produce to be able to meet this projected growth
to be able to meet this projected growth
to be able to meet this projected growth in demand so let’s do a thought
in demand so let’s do a thought
in demand so let’s do a thought experiment let’s imagine that we try to
experiment let’s imagine that we try to
experiment let’s imagine that we try to produce the total amount of projected
produce the total amount of projected
produce the total amount of projected demand with one thing say chickens or
demand with one thing say chickens or
demand with one thing say chickens or fish or cows now of course that’s not
fish or cows now of course that’s not
fish or cows now of course that’s not the way it would ever happen the world’s
the way it would ever happen the world’s
the way it would ever happen the world’s not just going to eat one thing but what
not just going to eat one thing but what
not just going to eat one thing but what this allows us to do is kind of bound
this allows us to do is kind of bound
this allows us to do is kind of bound the possibilities we can look at what’s
the possibilities we can look at what’s
the possibilities we can look at what’s the worst-case option what’s the
the worst-case option what’s the
the worst-case option what’s the best-case option and this allows us to
best-case option and this allows us to
best-case option and this allows us to kind of see what’s the range of
kind of see what’s the range of
kind of see what’s the range of possibilities but also what’s the range
possibilities but also what’s the range
possibilities but also what’s the range of options in terms of shifting diets
of options in terms of shifting diets
of options in terms of shifting diets say today into some other options how
say today into some other options how
say today into some other options how much potential benefit could we get from
much potential benefit could we get from
much potential benefit could we get from that so I’m just going to show you three
that so I’m just going to show you three
that so I’m just going to show you three of the results that come out of this and
of the results that come out of this and
of the results that come out of this and let’s start with the amount of land area
let’s start with the amount of land area
let’s start with the amount of land area or water area you would have to convert
or water area you would have to convert
or water area you would have to convert into food production to be able to
into food production to be able to
into food production to be able to produce this much protein the worst
produce this much protein the worst
produce this much protein the worst option in all these is going to be on
option in all these is going to be on
option in all these is going to be on the left and it’s in this case that
the left and it’s in this case that
the left and it’s in this case that sheep and goats followed very closely by
sheep and goats followed very closely by
sheep and goats followed very closely by cows if you’re going to produce that
cows if you’re going to produce that
cows if you’re going to produce that much food in terms of what we project is
much food in terms of what we project is
much food in terms of what we project is the demand by 2050 you would have to
the demand by 2050 you would have to
the demand by 2050 you would have to convert an area about the size of 3/4 of
convert an area about the size of 3/4 of
convert an area about the size of 3/4 of South America into new food production
South America into new food production
South America into new food production that’s a lot of land conversion from
that’s a lot of land conversion from
that’s a lot of land conversion from natural habitats by contrast at the
natural habitats by contrast at the
natural habitats by contrast at the other extreme we have shellfish you
other extreme we have shellfish you
other extreme we have shellfish you could produce the same total amount of
could produce the same total amount of
could produce the same total amount of animal protein in an area that’s smaller
animal protein in an area that’s smaller
animal protein in an area that’s smaller than the shallow continental shelf
than the shallow continental shelf
than the shallow continental shelf around the islands of New Zealand now if
around the islands of New Zealand now if
around the islands of New Zealand now if your geography is a little bit rusty
your geography is a little bit rusty
your geography is a little bit rusty that’s a lot smaller area second impact
that’s a lot smaller area second impact
that’s a lot smaller area second impact greenhouse gases worst-case scenario
greenhouse gases worst-case scenario
greenhouse gases worst-case scenario here is cows if we were to produce this
here is cows if we were to produce this
here is cows if we were to produce this total demand by beef it would be the
total demand by beef it would be the
total demand by beef it would be the equivalent of adding about 3/4 of
equivalent of adding about 3/4 of
equivalent of adding about 3/4 of China’s total greenhouse gas emissions
China’s total greenhouse gas emissions
China’s total greenhouse gas emissions as a new source of greenhouse gases to
as a new source of greenhouse gases to
as a new source of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere or more than the entire
the atmosphere or more than the entire
the atmosphere or more than the entire greenhouse gas emissions of the US by
greenhouse gas emissions of the US by
greenhouse gas emissions of the US by contrast if we do this with shellfish
contrast if we do this with shellfish
contrast if we do this with shellfish same amount of protein being produced
same amount of protein being produced
same amount of protein being produced you the greenhouse gas emissions would
you the greenhouse gas emissions would
you the greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to about a Texas and a
be equivalent to about a Texas and a
be equivalent to about a Texas and a half now if anybody’s listening is from
half now if anybody’s listening is from
half now if anybody’s listening is from Texas you probably don’t like the fact
Texas you probably don’t like the fact
Texas you probably don’t like the fact that I’m using as an example of
that I’m using as an example of
that I’m using as an example of something that’s small but this is
dramatically smaller than the options on
dramatically smaller than the options on the left finally fresh water we’re again
the left finally fresh water we’re again
the left finally fresh water we’re again the worst option is cows producing this
the worst option is cows producing this
the worst option is cows producing this much additional beef would require a
much additional beef would require a
much additional beef would require a volume of water roughly equivalent to
volume of water roughly equivalent to
volume of water roughly equivalent to one of the great lakes in terms of new
one of the great lakes in terms of new
one of the great lakes in terms of new water available for food production
water available for food production
water available for food production where is that going to come from by
where is that going to come from by
where is that going to come from by contrast you could produce the same
contrast you could produce the same
contrast you could produce the same amount of animal protein with shellfish
amount of animal protein with shellfish
amount of animal protein with shellfish with essentially no water at all so as
with essentially no water at all so as
with essentially no water at all so as you can see the differences between the
you can see the differences between the
you can see the differences between the poles of options that we have are
poles of options that we have are
poles of options that we have are enormous and remember back to that
enormous and remember back to that
enormous and remember back to that picture of animal sizes for every single
picture of animal sizes for every single
picture of animal sizes for every single one of these the aquaculture n tends to
one of these the aquaculture n tends to
one of these the aquaculture n tends to be way on the lower end in this case the
be way on the lower end in this case the
be way on the lower end in this case the extreme case is always shellfish but
extreme case is always shellfish but
extreme case is always shellfish but farm fish is also quite good and many of
farm fish is also quite good and many of
farm fish is also quite good and many of these kinds of metrics so I think the
these kinds of metrics so I think the
these kinds of metrics so I think the general conclusion that comes out of
general conclusion that comes out of
general conclusion that comes out of this is from the standpoint of planetary
this is from the standpoint of planetary
this is from the standpoint of planetary health surf is dramatically better than
health surf is dramatically better than
health surf is dramatically better than turf if we are going to try to meet this
turf if we are going to try to meet this
turf if we are going to try to meet this projected growth in demand and there’s
projected growth in demand and there’s
projected growth in demand and there’s some relatively straightforward reasons
some relatively straightforward reasons
some relatively straightforward reasons as to why it’s so much better
as to why it’s so much better
as to why it’s so much better one is that on land we tend to eat
one is that on land we tend to eat
one is that on land we tend to eat warm-blooded animals whereas from the
warm-blooded animals whereas from the
warm-blooded animals whereas from the sea we mostly eat cold-blooded animals
sea we mostly eat cold-blooded animals
sea we mostly eat cold-blooded animals and as a consequence on land animals
and as a consequence on land animals
and as a consequence on land animals can’t produce as much meat per unit of
can’t produce as much meat per unit of
can’t produce as much meat per unit of energy they take in because they have to
energy they take in because they have to
energy they take in because they have to devote energy to producing heat
devote energy to producing heat
devote energy to producing heat similarly on land animals have to deal
similarly on land animals have to deal
similarly on land animals have to deal with gravity which means they have to
with gravity which means they have to
with gravity which means they have to invest a lot more in a robust skeleton
invest a lot more in a robust skeleton
invest a lot more in a robust skeleton which compromises their efficiency and
which compromises their efficiency and
which compromises their efficiency and producing meat third in the sea we can
producing meat third in the sea we can
producing meat third in the sea we can use the three-dimensional aspect of the
use the three-dimensional aspect of the
use the three-dimensional aspect of the environment in a much more effective way
environment in a much more effective way
environment in a much more effective way to grow food by taking a
to grow food by taking a
to grow food by taking a the depth of the water column and the
the depth of the water column and the
the depth of the water column and the buoyancy that water provides it allows
buoyancy that water provides it allows
buoyancy that water provides it allows us to grow food in a spatially efficient
us to grow food in a spatially efficient
us to grow food in a spatially efficient way that is dramatically better than any
way that is dramatically better than any
way that is dramatically better than any option on land and then forth if we’re
option on land and then forth if we’re
option on land and then forth if we’re growing animals in the sea we don’t have
growing animals in the sea we don’t have
growing animals in the sea we don’t have to feed them fresh water so the fresh
to feed them fresh water so the fresh
to feed them fresh water so the fresh water needs for aquaculture only come
water needs for aquaculture only come
water needs for aquaculture only come from the needs that we it takes to
from the needs that we it takes to
from the needs that we it takes to produce the food so for a whole variety
produce the food so for a whole variety
produce the food so for a whole variety of metrics there are good reasons too as
of metrics there are good reasons too as
of metrics there are good reasons too as to why we’d expect that food from the
to why we’d expect that food from the
to why we’d expect that food from the sea has the potential of being much much
sea has the potential of being much much
sea has the potential of being much much lower impact across a range of different
lower impact across a range of different
lower impact across a range of different kinds of environmental metrics in terms
kinds of environmental metrics in terms
kinds of environmental metrics in terms of meeting this demand so given that
of meeting this demand so given that
of meeting this demand so given that those benefits and the fact that
those benefits and the fact that
those benefits and the fact that anything that moves us to in the future
anything that moves us to in the future
anything that moves us to in the future to more of a diet shift to food from the
to more of a diet shift to food from the
to more of a diet shift to food from the sea how do we get there what are the
sea how do we get there what are the
sea how do we get there what are the kinds of changes that would actually
kinds of changes that would actually
kinds of changes that would actually motivate those kinds of shifts well on
motivate those kinds of shifts well on
motivate those kinds of shifts well on the one hand I think that evidence will
the one hand I think that evidence will
the one hand I think that evidence will play a role for some people in the sense
play a role for some people in the sense
play a role for some people in the sense of these kinds of analyses that allow us
of these kinds of analyses that allow us
of these kinds of analyses that allow us to see what are the differential
to see what are the differential
to see what are the differential consequences in terms of planetary
consequences in terms of planetary
consequences in terms of planetary health will motivate some behavior
health will motivate some behavior
health will motivate some behavior change and I suspect that’ll be true for
change and I suspect that’ll be true for
change and I suspect that’ll be true for some of the people that listen to this
some of the people that listen to this
some of the people that listen to this talk that being said I think even
talk that being said I think even
talk that being said I think even overwhelming evidence of planetary
overwhelming evidence of planetary
overwhelming evidence of planetary benefits of some forms of food choices
benefits of some forms of food choices
benefits of some forms of food choices versus others is probably not going to
versus others is probably not going to
versus others is probably not going to motivate enough change globally to
motivate enough change globally to
motivate enough change globally to really be able to address this problem
really be able to address this problem
really be able to address this problem in a way that has large global benefits
in a way that has large global benefits
in a way that has large global benefits but fortunately I think there are two
but fortunately I think there are two
but fortunately I think there are two other ways that we may be able to
other ways that we may be able to
other ways that we may be able to influence this one is the fact that some
influence this one is the fact that some
influence this one is the fact that some of these costs are influenced in prices
of these costs are influenced in prices
of these costs are influenced in prices so land and water do in the end if we
so land and water do in the end if we
so land and water do in the end if we incorporate things like carbon taxes
incorporate things like carbon taxes
incorporate things like carbon taxes there would be differential effects the
there would be differential effects the
there would be differential effects the other and I think the most important
other and I think the most important
other and I think the most important aspect is that evidence suggests in
aspect is that evidence suggests in
aspect is that evidence suggests in medical literature that there’s a big
medical literature that there’s a big
medical literature that there’s a big benefit of shifting towards a
benefit of shifting towards a
benefit of shifting towards a pescetarian diet in terms of human
pescetarian diet in terms of human
pescetarian diet in terms of human health
health
health so human health and planetary health
so human health and planetary health
so human health and planetary health tend to be aligned and that means that I
tend to be aligned and that means that I
tend to be aligned and that means that I think there’s going to be much more
think there’s going to be much more
think there’s going to be much more motivation for people to vote in their
motivation for people to vote in their
motivation for people to vote in their own self-interest in and vote on the
own self-interest in and vote on the
own self-interest in and vote on the human health side but the planet
human health side but the planet
human health side but the planet still benefits so what can you do well
still benefits so what can you do well
still benefits so what can you do well next time you’re in a restaurant
next time you’re in a restaurant
next time you’re in a restaurant consider the ripple effects of your
consider the ripple effects of your
consider the ripple effects of your choices and in particular the positive
choices and in particular the positive
choices and in particular the positive ripple effects of moving more to the sea
ripple effects of moving more to the sea
ripple effects of moving more to the sea choose wisely in your choice of food it
choose wisely in your choice of food it
choose wisely in your choice of food it really matters thank you
”
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