Bill Gates recently said that he believes rich countries will help the global fight against climate change by consuming only plant meat products instead of beef.
In a recent interview with Technology Review, Gates discusses his new book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” and highlights the benefits that rich countries can reap by going for ‘100% synthetic beef’.
“I do think all rich countries should switch to 100% synthetic beef,” Gates said when asked about how countries can help reduce methane emissions when it comes to food production. “You can get used to the taste difference, and the claim is that it will taste even better over time.”
The philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft explained to the point of sale that he was hopeful that the use of vegetable proteins would help combat methane emissions by livestock.
“Impossible and beyond having a road map, a quality road map and a cost road map that makes them totally competitive,” Gates said, referring to popular plant-based businesses. “In terms of scale today, they do not represent 1% of the meat in the world, but they are on their way.”
Gates told Technology Review that he acknowledged the alternative argument that getting rid of cows was considered an unpopular approach, but he said the benefits of plant protein were worth a shift for some countries.
“Ultimately, that green premium is modest enough that you can change that kind of thing. [behavior of] people use or use regulations to shift demand completely, “Gates said. For meat in middle-income and higher-income countries, I do think it is possible. ‘