The World is facing health and resource crises
Agricultural practices have our Ecosystems on the brink of collapse - severely affecting human health
The current food system must generate vast amounts of protein to support an ever-growing global population. The methods used to boost protein yield and reduce production related costs are highly unsustainable, contributing to declining human health and environmental degradation.
Our world faces an ongoing dilemma: balancing the demand for protein-rich foods while preserving and protecting natural resources and habitats. Producing protein at current rates consumes an enormous amount of land and water, and this necessitates the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides.
A Global Health Emergency
The rates of chronic illnesses have skyrocketed over the past several decades
Many chronic diseases are increasingly being linked to diet and more specifically because of the prevalence of processed foods. Foods today are devoid of fiber – a vital nutrient that promotes gut health, improves digestion, reduces cholesterol, and controls blood sugar. Processed foods are filled with sugar, and unhealthy levels of Omega-6 fats and trans fats from soy and other seed oils. These can contain harmful residual chemicals, creating unhealthy guts that lead to a variety of health issues as described below.
Today there is a
One in five chance
The most recognizable amongst these diagnosed illnesses includes Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. Year over year, autoimmune diseases are up as much as 12 percent across the globe. These diseases are nearly impossible to cure and cost an estimated $168 billion annually to treat.
Mental Illnesses
Mental illness, depression and anxiety have reached epidemic levels
More than 50% of the world’s population suffer from neurological or mental disorders including ADHD, depression and anxiety.
Obesity & High blood Pressure
Cardiovascular diseases are at epidemic levels
High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol are widespread as is obesity which has afflicted nearly 40% of the U.S. population. These health risks can cause chronic conditions such as type II diabetes, coronary heart disease, and many other ailments. The result is an economic impact of $1.4 trillion in the U.S. annually.
How Much Does Obesity Cost the U.S? | (Obesity Medicine Association)
The protein predicament
Current food and protein production on an unsustainable path
Present Situation
Over 50% of the world's land surface is used for farming, consuming 80% of global freshwater. Since the 1960s, fertilizer use has increased by 400%, exceeding 200 million tons, along with 5.5 million tons of pesticides and herbicides. Of this, 75% (covering 35% of total land area) is dedicated to protein production, including soy and other plant proteins grown for livestock feed.
Our Solution
Arbela uses a novel yeast called Pichia pastoris, known for its rich protein, fiber, and beta glucan content. Our advanced processing technology enables the production of large-scale, affordable nutrition that supports human and animal health—with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, almost no land or water use, and no need for fertilizers or pesticides.
The Impact
The result has been environmental devastation including mass extinction of insects, amphibians, and other animal life, along with deforestation of the most biodiverse regions on earth, including the Amazon. Water tables are declining all over the world, with many rivers no longer extending to the seas. The oceans are increasingly stressed with massive expanses of lifeless zones and episodes of red tides induced by fertilizer and pesticide runoff. Agriculture is also responsible for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with climate change.
The situation is poised to get far worse as the global population grows and with it rising demands for protein. There simply isn’t enough Earth or resources to continue on this course.