Innovation in agriculture is a crucial issue, says Bill Gates

In one of his blog posts, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, points out that innovations in the agricultural sector have a major role to play in the fight against climate change.

 

 

 

For Bill Gates, a lot of talk about the fight against climate change is about electricity and how to produce it, but very little about agriculture, forestry and land use. Sectors that are responsible for 24% of all greenhouse gas emissions, only 1% point less than electricity generation.

 

 

 

How to fight against climate change caused by agriculture? According to Bill Gates, changing dietary habits with a reduced demand for animal protein is necessary, but the goal of reducing emissions per product, without restricting the quantities produced, is paramount.

 

 

 

Bill Gates is part of the Breakthrough Energy Ventures group, which supports companies with innovative solutions such as:

 

- Microscopic nitrogen plants that replace fertilizers. Pivot Bio has genetically modified microbes that provide plants with the nitrogen they need,

 

- Longer roots that store more carbon. Kernza has developed a new wheat variety with roots twice as long as traditional wheat. More resistant, this wheat also uses much less water,

 

- An invisible barrier that helps keep food fresh longer. Peel and Cambridge Crops companies work on protective skins that preserve the freshness of food. The coating is invisible and does not affect the taste of the product.

 

 

Creative solutions to fight against climate deregulation exist and R&D investment in the agricultural sector must be much more important according to Bill Gates, in order to bring out innovations.