Timothy D. Searchinger is a research scholar at Princeton University and a senior fellow of the World Resources Institute. Follow him on Twitter: @Tsearchinger. Richard Waite is a research associate at the World Resources Institute. Twitter: @waiterich. The opinions expressed in this commentary are their own. View more opinion articles at CNN.
Burger King has promised to go national by the end of the year with its Impossible Whopper, a plant-based patty that tastes like the real thing. Other fast-food companies have also started selling Impossible burgers, and other plant-based burgers that really taste like hamburgers and will be on sale in more grocery stores soon. These developments are a whopping big deal, even historic, because of their potential to redress climate change and save forests.
Tim SearchingerRichard WaiteWhat's the environmental beef with beef? As many people know, the stomachs of cattle produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that cattle emit mostly through burping. The manure cattle leave on grazing land also produces a lot of nitrous oxide, another powerful greenhouse gas. But the biggest challenge is that producing beef requires a lot of land.
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion I’ve had Carl’s Jr.’s plant based burger and its not bad at all as long as it’s cooked right. Plus it feels great to know its a healthy option. I’m totally on board. Don’t get me wrong, I still LOVE my ribeye 🥩 GoingGreen HealthyLiving
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion So you’re going to Eat Plants to Save Forests!
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Close to the real thing... they said. I prefer the real thing. No more chemicals please yes2meat
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion a PLANT based food... will save PLANTS.... :/ ok I'm not that stupid
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion 1st they said it's healthier 2nd the LEFT said it's to save the cows 3rd now they say we save the forests
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TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Why would Obama have been sending spies into the Trump campaign when there was NEVER any evidence of collusion
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion FAKE!
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion No
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion I'm the biggest meat eater I know. I'd switch if it's better for me and the environment. Guess I'll try them.
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Vegan people been eating these for years- that’s how far removed you are
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Yes because growing plants is the way to go. We can harvest them with solar powered tractors. And solar panels are good because they are shiny.
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Good grief... There's that buzzword again.... MIGHT.. wtg CNN..
TSearchinger waiterich Opinion Some people like fake meat because they think eating real meat is evil. I like fake human meat because I think cannibalism is evil.