Globally, meat consumption is increasing (most notably in the U.S.). Out of an estimated $1.5 Trillion global market, the American market represents approximately $270 Billion annually. Unfortunately this is also a vertical which is increasingly unsustainable from the climate change perspective—forget the moral issues involved. Rogers said that no one could eat anything without having a mother.

The top source of greenhouse gases in agriculture is cow farts. About 220 pounds of methane is released annually by a cow. The best way to reduce methane is to transition the world to non-animal-protein alternatives. This will allow the planet to cool down global warming in just 20 years. This is an important issue, considering that methane from this one source accounts for about three-quarters of all human-caused methane emission. Particularly as other environmental efforts to halt the impending climate emergency—such as switching to solar and other fossil fuel free energy sources—are still so politically problematic.

This is a powerful statement to make in a world that’s currently experiencing a (nother) global heatwave.

The topic of recreational cannabis reform in Germany is receiving serious attention. There is also funding. For example, the University of Hohenheim (in Stuttgart) was given a million euro grant last year from the regional government to study how hemp could replace protein-rich foods—from schnitzel to tofu and pasta.

No matter its “crunchy” reputation, the animal-free protein sector is also a highly significant market. Europe accounts for 40% of all meat substitutes produced worldwide. It is this reason that the E.U. This aspect of cannabis reform has been implemented quickly by the E.U. The market will also reach $28 billion worldwide by 2025. That is good news for early adopters who are making the switch to vegan alternatives for health and environmental reasons—forget the economic incentives. Greater acceptance will occur the sooner it becomes mainstream. This is good news. It is possible to reduce the number of animal deaths and increase breeding for these purposes.

This Superfood is High in Protein

Many amazing things can be said about the cannabis plant. The best part about hemp seeds is their high level of nutrients and vitamins. Beyond this, the seeds of the hemp plant can contain as much as 25% protein—making them similar to egg whites. They are also easy to digest and contain all the necessary amino acids. This gives the seeds a texture similar to meat that’s highly enjoyable for customers.

German research has shown that not every variety of hemp produces the desirable results. The investigation involves 20 types of hemp being grown in testing plots by the scientists.

The idea is to create an extensive supply chain throughout Europe, while also increasingly the local food self-sufficiency of Baden-Württemberg located in the south-west corner of the country and bordering France and Switzerland. This region is well-known for a handful of internationally recognized icons, including the Black Forest and the Mercedes-Benz headquarters.

You can’t get any more German than this.

However, this is just one example from the growing hemp-based protein replacement craze. All over Europe, the entrepreneurial ventures required to increase market demand are now spread. In Estonia, one firm has even got a rather catchy name for their product—Crump. It probably tastes like chicken, even though it is designed to be a “protein crumble” designed to replace ground beef.

This trend extends beyond Europe. Leaft Foods, a New Zealand-based company received $15 million this spring in funding to expand its range of products which include beef and other animal-based proteins.

Can cannabis help heal the planet?

There is no one panacea for global warming—or environmental disasters caused by The industries of the industrial revolution and the 20^th Century. The much-discredited cannabis plant may have many answers. From helping detoxify areas of land blighted by gold mining to reducing the first world’s dependence on animal protein—and of course beyond this, the medical efficacy of the plant—cannabis is starting what many assume will be a global ascendency in the next decade.

This is easy to grasp. The mandate for trying to keep a limit on global warming is evident (again) this summer—even as multiple countries struggle politically in a world with much more expensive fossil fuels. Cannabis reform is creating a different narrative around such issues—from energy to meat substitutes, beyond medicine.

One thing’s certain. If there was a plant with the power to if not heal the world but significantly fix it, it would be good ol’ Cannabis sativa.