Transition to cellular and hydroponic agriculture: A necessary response to climate change

It is not the strongest and smartest who survive but the one who adjusts best to the changing environment. Halting global climate change entirely may not be feasible, but we can take decisive steps to mitigate its effects. Traditional agriculture, with its inefficiencies and heavy resource demands, is ill-equipped to cope with the increasingly severe and unpredictable climate conditions we face today. As a result, extreme weather events such as droughts, hurricanes, and floods are causing increasing crop and livestock losses.1 Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater consumption, which continues to rise annually (Figure 1a,b).2, 3 Concurrently, the world's arable land and freshwater reserves are in rapid decline (Figure 1c,d).4, 5 Moreover, about 3 million tons of pesticides are applied globally each year, posing significant risks to the environment and public health, yet they remain indispensable in current agricultural practices.6 Global Agricultural water use and its impact on freshwater resources and arable land. (a) Agricultural water consumption represents approximately 70% of global freshwater use,2 (b) with a continuous annual increase,3 highlighting the escalating demand for water resources in agriculture; Concurrently, there is a concerning decline in both (c, d) the global area of arable land4 and freshwater reserves,5 underscoring the urgency of sustainable water management strategies to preserve these critical resources. The "Lindeman 10 percent rule" highlights that energy transfer between trophic levels in ecosystems is typically only 10%, akin to the efficiency of a 1900 steam locomotive.7 Consequently, around 40% of the world's arable land is dedicated to growing crops for livestock feed, which amounts to approximately 150 million tons.8 Livestock themselves contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, with the global bovine population alone emitting roughly 100 million tons of methane annually, equivalent to 3 billion tons of CO2.9 Furthermore, current agricultural practices are heavily subsidised and economically unsustainable. For example, the US Department of Agriculture, in 2023, received 165 billion USD of subsidies.10 Given these challenges, it's evident that our current agricultural system will not be able to sustain itself in the face of a drastically altered climate within the next few decades. That is why transitioning to modern hydroponic and cellular agriculture presents a viable solution. Automation of growth and harvest processes Reduced harvesting time, enabling multiple harvests per year Crop stability independent of natural conditions, enhancing resilience to disasters Implementation of water collection and purification systems, drastically reducing water consumption compared to traditional agriculture Potential for urban location, reducing transportation costs Elimination of pests, minimising the need for pesticides Self-sufficiency in electricity and heat through renewable energy sources Hydroponic agriculture also offers significant benefits, with lettuce yields being approximately 10 times higher (kg/m2/year) than those in open fields, with 12 times less water consumption.12 Cellular agriculture, particularly the production of cultivated meat, presents a sustainable alternative to conventional animal farming. The production of artificial meat from cow, pig, or chicken stem cells requires five times less energy and 10 times less water than conventional beef production, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 times.13 Cultivated meat production in sterile conditions eliminates many of the health risks associated with conventional meat production, such as presence of parasitic worms, salmonella, and toxic metals often found in raw meat. And it requires far less land. An artificial "meat plant" occupies only 1% of the land compared to a conventional meat farm, freeing up 63 million hectares of farmland that are currently used for livestock feed production. By the end of 2022, over 100 startups were focused on producing cultivated meat and seafood, indicates a growing interest in this field. Although the cost of cultivated meat was around 17 per pound (≈17 per pound (≈38/kg) in 2022,14 mass production is expected to reduce prices to match those of natural meat. Currently, around 1.3–1.5 billion tons (30%–35% of the 4–4.5 billion tons produced) of the world's food is lost or wasted annually, including 45% of fruits and vegetables, 35% of fish and seafood, 30% of cereals, 20% of dairy products, and 20% of meat and poultry.15 Food waste occurs at various stages, with 17% at the retail level, food service providers, and in homes, 14% between the farm gate and retail sector, and 8% on farms.15 This waste also leads to the unnecessary use of 20% of global freshwater and 15% of the world's produced oil annually, resulting in a financial impact of approximately USD 2.5 trillion. Addressing the extent and distribution of food loss and waste is essential for reducing waste across the entire food supply chain. Increased yield with reduced water consumption Reclamation of fertile land for other purposes Cleaner meat production with lower emissions Reduction in pesticide use Drastic reduction in food losses Transitioning to cellular and hydroponic agriculture represents a monumental shift in our approach to food production. However, this transition is not without its challenges. Significant investments will be required to develop the necessary infrastructure, technology, and expertise to support these innovative agricultural methods. Governments, private investors, and agricultural organisations will need to collaborate to provide funding and incentives for research, development, and implementation. Furthermore, widespread adoption of cellular and hydroponic agriculture will require extensive education and outreach efforts to inform farmers, consumers, and policymakers about the benefits and feasibility of these methods. Public perception and acceptance of cultured meat, for example, may be a barrier to its adoption, necessitating comprehensive communication strategies to address concerns about safety, taste, and ethics. Moreover, regulatory frameworks will need to be adapted to accommodate the unique challenges and opportunities presented by cellular and hydroponic agriculture. Standards for food safety, labelling, and environmental sustainability will need to be established to ensure consumer confidence and protect public health and the environment. Despite these challenges, transitioning to cellular and hydroponic agriculture offers immense benefits, including increased food production, environmental sustainability, and resource conservation. These methods can reclaim land, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve water. Furthermore, they create opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation throughout the agricultural sector. Additionally, the emergence of industries like "cellular cookery" promises further economic growth and culinary innovation. Despite challenges, investing in innovation, education, and regulation can lead to a more sustainable and resilient food system for generations to come. The data used in the article is in the author's computer in Ukrainian, and they will be available if requested.