Hacker News Reader

Comment by awerawerawrjhui | Hacker News Reader

> I would argue that the most effective way to reduce cattle emissions is to get rid of cattle.

I agree, but as a former vegan I'm aware that there's an approximately 0% chance of getting a majority of the world's population to give up beef and dairy.

The future has to be with lab-grown meat. I know the technology is still nascent, but if we ever get it right then it has the potential to be one of the most transformative inventions in human history. I'm not sure how we can save the climate without it.

View on HN

The great thing about adopting a more plant-based diet is that you don’t have to go 100% plant-based to still make a difference.

90% plant-based gives you 90% of the benefit.

As long as people are on a path to reducing animal product consumption, we might just be OK.

Unless you're zooko you probably don't have a meat based diet to start with.

My partner is vegetarian / borderline vegan. It definitely had an impact on my diet as well. I don’t want everyone to become vegan or not consume dairy or meat anymore. Just reduce, reuse, recycle. Be more thoughtful about what you consume and how often. Try out alternatives.

If I eat beef once per week, once per month, I also am looking forward to and enjoying it way more than if I eat it every day.

This is market forces at work. Regulations and environmental science used to help to define the rules of the market are really a useful way to allocate resources. Worry less about telling people what they should do. Instead, think about how we can construct market rules to incentivize good behavior.

At least that's my two cents. It's fun to talk to friends about how to fix the world with a central planning mindset but there are a lot of smart people out there. Let them do their thing. Today's fads (lab grown meat) may or may not work out. Maybe the best solution hasn't come along yet.

"I'm not sure how we can save the climate without it [lab-grown meat]."

Why? It doesn't seem logical at all - I'm pretty sure there are more efficient and healthier ways to feed humans and it seems that the main reason for making lab-meat is to cater to our current habits and tastes. Maybe that's important enough, but perhaps you have more pros?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com