We sometimes like to look at various parts of tech and do the math. We know that climate change and reducing the carbon footprint is a high priority for the planet, because Al Gore warned us in 2009 that “the North Pole will be ice-free in the summer by 2013 because of man-made global warming.” According to life-long politician/non-scientist Gore, carbon emissions are the culprit and note to self: that didn’t happen. Which may have contributed to the president of Cop28, Sultan Al Jaber’s, claim that “there is “no science” indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C,” as The Guardian reported.

There isn’t even a consensus among scientists that carbon emissions/fossil fuels are a problem (Putting the ‘con’ in consensus; Not only is there no 97 per cent consensus among climate scientists, many misunderstand core issues).

If the billionaires who flew to the Cop28 are so concerned about carbon emissions and the seas rising, why did they all fly to the summit on private jets and own beachfront properties? In fact, “Jeff Bezos’ Superyacht Generates 447 Times the Yearly Carbon Emissions of Average US Household,” said Gulf Insider. And “the Tennessee Center for Policy Research charged (in 2007, just after he won the Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, his documentary about the coming climate ‘disaster’) that the gas and electric bills for the former vice president’s 20-room home and pool house devoured nearly 221,000 kilowatt-hours in 2006, more than 20 times the national average of 10,656 kilowatt-hours,” ABC News reported.

Do as I say, not as I do and pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

We are a strong proponent of sustainability/regenerative energy and respecting this planet that sustains us, but when we read about companies that sell carbon credits receiving funding – how does that reduce a carbon footprint??? – if reducing it is even necessary, considering that plant life depends on carbon for survival. And speaking of respect for the planet and yea, even humans, why is there not more of a focus on, say, microplastics, although the science is still out on how harmful they truly are, National Geographic reported.

Seaweed may be the “’fastest and least expensive’ tool to fight climate change, as” A wave of startups say seaweed is a multi-pronged solution to climate change: It can absorb carbon, curb the effects of cattle’s methane burps, and feed biofuels—not to mention the world,” said yet another Nat Geo piece. “Climate change is intensifying, and people are “panicking,” says Kristen Davis, professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth system science at University of California Irvine. But seizing on seaweed-based carbon removal as a solution before the science is settled, she says, could cause environmental harm or distract from more surefire strategies, such as swiftly cutting emissions.

“The science is not there yet to actually confirm that it’s a good idea,” Davis says,” Nat Geo reported.

Never mind that the science is still out on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

As always, follow the money.

Still, removing harmful chemicals from the ecosystem is not a bad idea and tech et al would agree, but why are they instead feeding them to humans, which they seem to feel is a good idea, considering the funding going to lab-grown foods. In an age when people are willing to pay a premium for ‘organic’ and ‘grass fed’ foods, we wonder why so many of these same beings are so willing to ingest chemically produced food replacements.

“Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown meat, is created in a lab through a five-step process in which stem cells from an animal are replicated and grown in a series of bioreactors before being blended with additives to create a more realistic texture. The meat cells are then drained in a centrifuge, formed, and packaged for distribution, according to consulting firm McKinsey & Company,” said The Epoch Times.

Yum!

The Center for Food Safety posed the question,” Is Lab-Grown Meat Healthy and Safe to Consume?,” and there’s something one might want to consider.

“29 companies are planning to bring lab-cultured “meat” to market in the form of chicken, beef, pork, seafood, pet food, and beyond. These companies are backed by huge investments from meat industry corporations (Cargill and Tyson), venture capitalist firms (Blue Yard Capital, Union Square Ventures, S2G Ventures, and Emerald Technology Ventures), and billionaires (such as Bill Gates and Richard Branson)… Its proponents tout it as an environmentally responsible, cruelty-free, and antibiotic-free alternative to current meat production. While the goal of producing sustainable “meat” without killing animals is admirable, lab-cultured “meat” is in its infancy and the science behind the production methods requires more scrutiny.*

“Of particular concern is the genetic engineering of cells and their potential cancer-promoting properties. To be able to better assess whether the products are being produced by methods that involve genetic engineering and use genetic constructs (-called onco-genes, typically used to make stem cells keep growing; this is not a problem for lab experiments, but could be for food products-) that might encourage cancer cells, we need more information on how the cells are engineered and kept growing. Many of the companies are claiming this information is confidential and a business secret. These companies are not yet patenting their production processes wherein this information would be more fully disclosed. Some suggest that the production will follow the FDA cell culture guidelines, but the FDA’s cell culture guidelines do not apply to this because they’re not designed for food.”

Does make you wonder what they’re hiding – and why is it that lab-grown food investor Bill Gates has a McDonald’s Gold Card (which we never even knew existed, but nor can we recall the last decade that we ingested a McDonald’s meal; the coveted card is for McDonald’s super-customers).

It all simply does not add up.

What to speak of the fact that how long have we been advised to avoid processed foods? GMO/lab grown food is nothing but processed…

When GMOs – Genetically Modified Organisms – were first introduced into the food chain, they were referred to as ‘Frankenfoods.’ That term seems to have disappeared from the patois with the advent of lab-grown foods – which is a monstrous omission, in our humble opinion. Enjoy if you’d like but personally, having just done the math, we’re just not biting as we go onward and forward.