Photo: Microalgae cultivation facility, Hawaii
Photosynthesizing farmed algae along marginal coastal lands globally, in ponds of seawater pumped up from the ocean, could produce enough food to feed 10 billion people in the next 25 years. Fast-growing, low-resource, nutrient-rich, the algae could reduce demands for arable land, freshwater, and fertilizer. Single-celled algae can grow 10 times faster than regular crops. Algae alone could generate more than the total planetary protein demand projected for 2050 in addition to providing a rich source of minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, among other things. Dried and powdered, the algae could be added to the supply chain for meat, cheese, dairy, and baked-good substitutes and have the taste, look, smell, and texture of the foods traditionally consumed.