Vancouver company uses mushroom roots to tackle global protein demand

A Vancouver-based company is betting on mushroom mycelium as a sustainable protein source, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of traditional meat production.

Inder Nirwan and Pippa Norman report for The Tyee.

In short:

Maia Farms developed a mycelium-based protein that takes just seven days to produce and emits 84% less carbon dioxide than chicken.
The company is partnering with food manufacturers to incorporate the protein into various foods, with products appearing at major retailers like Costco.
Plans include expanding globally by 2030, with facilities on five continents to meet both Earth’s growing protein needs and space exploration demands.

Key quote:

“It’s arguably the most efficient form of agriculture that will ever exist.”

— Gavin Schneider, Maia Farms founder

Why this matters:

With global meat demand rising, sustainable protein alternatives like mycelium could help mitigate the environmental impacts of meat production, including greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.

thetyee.ca

Vancouver company uses mushroom roots to tackle global protein demand

Solar power in Morocco's desert: Bold vision, mixed results

Farmers struggle to rebuild soil after Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods

‘A ray of hope’: EU governments gathering to plan way out of fossil fuel reliance

Farmers sue US EPA over dismantling of climate policy

Iowa moves to shield farmers, ethanol plants, from lawsuits over emissions

Is it time for planetary health to become a core clinical responsibility?

Deep soils could hold keys to climate resilience

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.