The Plant-based meat market is experiencing rapid production with serious claims, including the ability of such products to improve diets and animal welfare and reduce environmental impacts. Whether or not these Alternative Protein products are more environmentally sustainable than their animal-based counterparts remains to be seen - especially since the evidence is limited. In this episode, we unpack what is known about the environmental sustainability of plant-based meats, dive deep into the complexity of assessing their environmental metrics, and discuss how plant-based meats tie in with the global agenda of making our food system more sustainable.
Moderators
Kesso Gabrielle van Zutphen-Küffer, Research and Knowledge Manager, Sight and Life
Dr Simon Brown, Postdoctoral Fellow, Johns Hopkins University
Get insights from the experts in our BrainFood blog: buff.ly/3SzGMR3 (6minute read)
Speakers
Dr Adam Drewnowski, Director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition, University of Washington
Dr Martin Bloem, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Podcast Team
Jacquelyn Bedsaul, Nutritional Immunology Intern, Sight and Life
Jimena Monroy Gomez, Technical Nutrition Associate, Sight and Life
Yash Goel, Architect and Design Specialist, Sight and Life
Erin Fagerholm, Communications Lead, Sight and Life
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction
02:29 The two protein transitions
04:04 Bennett’s Law
04:53 Why does animal protein consumption increase as incomes rise?
08:05 Newscast: Impossible Foods environmental claims 📣
12:26 Deep dive on Metrics
16:13 From calories to nutrients
18:23 Assessing environmental impact
19:37 The need to invest in alternative forms of proteins
22:35 Number of the Day 0️⃣
25:26 Distinction between plant proteins
28:04 The need for better data
34:47 Learning to advance in the fog
37:42 Action plan – the next 10 years
39:25 The need for a multi-sectoral approach
40:47 Question of the Day❓
41:42 Alternative protein in the current context (war, climate, hunger)
44:13 Conclusion