Earlier this Fall, the United Nations raised the alarm on the world\u2019s collective progress in meeting the climate goals outlined in the historic 2015 Paris Agreement. To summarize their report: much more work is needed. Specifically, the report states \u201crapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes to all aspects of society\u201d are needed.<\/p>\n
From the fuel that keeps us moving, to the food that nourishes us, to the packaging for our stuff, biotechnology innovations for industrial and agricultural processes can be the widespread change needed to reduce environmental impact and slow climate change.<\/p>\n
Reducing Plastic Waste<\/p>\n
The abundance of plastic that sits on the Earth contributes significantly to the world\u2019s climate challenges. Just in our oceans alone there are 12.7 million tons of plastic floating. Add in the countless tons on our streets and in landfills and the world is almost drowning in plastic. Unfortunately, these plastics have become integral to our daily lives and it\u2019s hard to imagine existing without them.<\/p>\n
Most of the 300 million tons of plastic manufactured each year are harmful to the environment because they aren\u2019t biodegradable and they are made from chemicals derived from oil, natural gas and coal \u2013 otherwise known as petroleum-based plastics \u2013 which release greenhouse gases (GHG) into the environment.<\/p>\n
Thanks to biotechnology, however, new bio-based plastics derived from renewable biomass sources are being developed as viable replacements. These bio-based plastics are recyclable and often biodegradable, thus breaking down naturally in the environment and leading to less greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n
Already companies like Coca-Cola and Ford are investing in bio-based plastics, using the plastic alternatives for items such as drink bottles and foam for car seats.<\/p>\n
If more large companies and manufacturers like these replaced petroleum-based plastics with bio-based alternatives, we would make significant progress on our global climate goals. In addition, by using biotechnology we can replace other petroleum-based materials harmful to the environment with bio-based alternatives, including paints and cosmetics.<\/p>\n
Driving Decarbonization<\/p>\n
When most people think of climate change though, transportation fuel probably comes to mind as the main culprit. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transportation fuel is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the air, accounting for more than a quarter of total emissions in the U.S. alone. All in all, the world uses 50 million barrels per day of carbon-emitting fossil fuels to power our cars, planes and ships.<\/p>\n
Unlike transportation fuels derived from fossil fuels, biofuels are produced from living matter \u2013 in most cases from corn \u2013 and do not emit as much carbon. By increasing our use of biofuels, like ethanol, we can make significant progress in lowering the transportation sector\u2019s environmental impact.<\/p>\n
Moreover, biofuels can be produced from sources that otherwise would emit greenhouse gases, such as factory waste or animal waste. These innovations allow\u00a0biorefineries to repurpose waste into cleaner fuel to keep us moving. But the technology doesn\u2019t apply strictly to automobiles.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Richard Branson\u2019s Virgin Atlantic Airlines partnered with LanzaTech, a company pioneering the use biotechnology to develop fuels, to use the company\u2019s next generation advanced fuel recycled from industrial waste gases to power a flight from Orlando to London. Estimates show this fuel blend reduced greenhouse gases by more than 70 percent when compared to burning conventional jet fuel.<\/p>\n
If we are to make progress on curbing climate change,\u00a0we\u2019ll need to continue innovating new\u00a0 biofuels\u00a0to be used in more transportation modes, including more domestic and international flights and more cars.<\/p>\n
Efficient Agriculture to Feed the World<\/p>\n
And when it comes to fueling ourselves, innovations in biotechnology can also help us grow food at a large scale in a more environmentally-friendly way.<\/p>\n
Biotechnology \u2013 including gene editing tools like CRISPR \u2013 hold tremendous promise in creating more crops that are drought-tolerant or disease resistant. Since the 1996 introduction of biotech crops, pesticide use has decreased by more than 8 percent. In a single year, the use of biotech crops and no-till farming systems reduced CO2 emissions by 27.1 billion kg, equivalent to taking 16.7 million cars off the road.<\/p>\n
But new innovations will be needed to stop the warming of the planet, especially in regions where most food is produced. This month, a report issued by the U.S. government noted that temperatures in the Midwest \u2013 where a significant portion of U.S. crops are grown \u2013 will climb more than any other region and, as a result, agricultural production will stifle.<\/p>\n
Ag microbial technology is a newer biotech innovation that could help solve this challenge.<\/p>\n
In a plant\u2019s soil, there are billions of microbes \u2013 tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi \u2013 that naturally exist to provide the plant the nutrients it needs to grow. Through biotechnology, microbes can be engineered with desirable traits to enhance a plant\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n
Companies like Pivot Bio, a biotech company based in California, are engineering microbes to provide plants more nitrogen, which is critical to plant growth and health. By doing so, Pivot Bio is reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers which often runoff, polluting our waterways and leading to increased GHG emissions.<\/p>\n
The research into ag microbials has been so promising in fact, investors are lining up to help fund Pivot\u2019s efforts, including Breakthrough Ventures, an innovative investment fund lead by Bill Gates\u2019 with contributions from other billionaires like Amazon\u2019s Jeff Bezos and Branson.<\/p>\n
If we are to implement the far-reaching changes needed to mitigate global warming, large investments from groups like these will become increasingly critical<\/p>\n
Through the adoption of biofuels and bio-based products, such as bioplastics, innovations in biotechnology for industrial and agricultural processes have begun to show progress in slowing climate change. Additionally, farms across the country are starting to incorporate newer innovations in biotechnology to grow more food, more efficiently, and with less environmental impact.<\/p>\n
The UN\u2019s report adds more urgency to build on this progress and continue incorporating innovations in biotechnology into our daily lives.<\/p>\n
Time is running out. Rethinking the way we produce food, fuel and everyday products will go a long way towards meeting the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Innovations in\u00a0biotechnology for industrial and agricultural processes have \u2013 and will continue to \u2013 provide the tools to build a healthier planet.<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s Note: As part of\u00a0BIO\u2019s 25th\u00a0Anniversary celebration\u00a0we will be spotlighting biotechnology innovations that have made a major impact over the past 25 years. This \u201cInnovation Series\u201d will publish on the 25th\u00a0of every month throughout 2018. In the ninth\u00a0installment we spotlight\u00a0food and agriculture biotechnology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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