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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Sustainable meat industries could use boost from billionaires

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Tuesday, October 22, 2024   

Since 1964, per capita meat consumption has doubled and environmental advocates cautioned it is unsustainable. And there are more billionaires, raising questions about their roles in reshaping food production to benefit South Dakota and the rest of the world.

Researchers say the livestock industry is responsible for up to 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with 80% of all agricultural land going to meat production. The world's population is predicted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, meaning more people potentially eating more meat.

Sheila Voss, vice president of communications for the Good Food Institute, said the trend is alarming.

"I was at a workshop surrounded by pork producers, chicken farmers and dairy farmers, and eight out of 10 of them agreed that they will not be able to meet growing meat production on their own," Voss noted. "We only have finite land and water."

Groups like hers pressing for reforms said the world's richest people are in a position to help fund alternatives. High-profile individuals such as Bill Gates are noted for investing in a variety of potential solutions, like plant-based meat companies. In South Dakota, he has been scrutinized for farmland purchases, which blur the lines between corporate interests and sustainable agriculture.

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of dairy cows in South Dakota grew more than 100% and the hog inventory grew more than 90%, according to the Governor's Office of Economic Development. Organizations touting alternatives insist the goal of getting people to eat less meat is not a conspiracy of billionaires trying to replace traditional products entirely. Voss stressed they are trying to help confront realities lying ahead.

"Diversifying protein production is something that has tons of upside to it," Voss contended. "As well as logic and math."

Researchers warn the global appetite for meat will eventually exceed the agricultural sector's capacity to produce it. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also credited for putting money behind efforts such as agroforestry, which integrates trees with crops and animal farming. However, watchdogs say people like Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg are lagging in their support, and joining their peers could have a big effect.

This story is based on original reporting by Seth Millstein for Sentient.


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