2040 will bring with it transformed supermarkets, we talked about it here. Beyond the context, however, what could really make the difference is not the technology, but the meat department.
In fact, alongside the traditional cuts of beef and chicken, the larger spaces would host packages labeled as "cultured meat" and "vegetable alternative". This is the predicted future (for years) by analysts from various sectors: a future in which meat does not necessarily come from an animal.
The inevitable change
The trajectory that separates us from the 2040 scenarios will not unfold overnight. It will be a gradual process, fueled by a growing awareness of the meat industry's environmental impact and a desire to find sustainable alternatives.
The traditional ones vegan alternatives and vegetarian dishes such as tofu and seitan have already found their place in the hearts (and dishes) of many. But they haven't cracked the meat industry, a trillion-euro giant.
The first game changers were produced as Beyond burger and cultured meat. Why? Well, because they taste similar to traditional meat, but also because they are much more sustainable. In summary: no more intensive farming, no more methane emissions, and a dramatic reduction in land and water use.
A bite for the planet
There is an even bigger question at stake: how to feed the growing world population. We may observe a stabilization of the world population (or a reduction) towards the end of the century, but the more "short" forecasts are of a different tenor. And they tell us that we will pass from 7,6 billion in 2018 to 10 billion in 2050.
For this we must find innovative and above all healthy and nutritious solutions. For me, that I would never eat insects alternatives to meat are a prospect that could be interesting. And I'm in good company.
The meat of the future is here
Experts say cultured meat has already started making a run for it, becoming increasingly affordable and sustainable as the industry grows.
There's a revelation that may surprise you: Perhaps real change isn't just about what we put on our plate, but how we view our place in the world. Every bite of cultured meat or veggie burger is not just a gastronomic choice, but a step towards a future where humanity and nature coexist in harmony.
