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