In 2015, Justin Kolbeck visited his friend Aryé Elfenbein in his lab, where Elfenbein was experimenting with growing human heart cells. Kolbeck marveled at how these cells could beat. This experience sparked an idea that would lead to the creation of Wildtype, a company that makes cell-cultivated salmon.
This year, Wildtype became the first cultivated seafood company in the U.S. to gain FDA approval. In a repurposed brewery in San Francisco, Kolbeck and Elfenbein take salmon cells and transform them into sashimi—without using any fish. Elfenbein noted, “Everything we create today started from one little fish seven years ago.”
Kolbeck emphasizes the importance of finding sustainable seafood alternatives. He pointed out that the ocean stores about 94% of the planet’s carbon. Research shows that deep-sea trawling releases as much carbon into the atmosphere as the entire aviation industry. “If we want to keep enjoying seafood, we have to create new sources,” Kolbeck urges. His vision is to enable wild fish populations to recover for the first time in fifty years.
The innovation doesn’t stop with salmon. California Cultured is also making waves by growing chocolate and coffee cells in petri dishes. CEO Alan Perlstein said that nearly 85% of land used for growing chocolate may become unsuitable due to climate change. Without advancements in technology, traditional chocolate could become a luxury item, costing around $80 per bar in the future.
As climate change progresses, our food sources such as salmon, chocolate, and coffee are at risk. A tour through Northern California with the “How We Survive” team highlights how tech entrepreneurs are developing new methods to grow foods threatened by climate change.
To put it in perspective, research from the World Economic Forum indicates that by 2050, food production must increase by 70% to meet global demands. This situation calls for innovative solutions like those offered by Wildtype and California Cultured.
In conclusion, the intersection of technology and climate consciousness is essential for future food security. The efforts of companies like Wildtype and California Cultured can reshape our diets while promoting sustainability, potentially marking a significant shift in how we think about food production.
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seafood, food industry, sustainability