A forgotten Space Age technology could change how we grow food | Lisa Dyson

譯者: Helen Chang 審譯者: SF Huang

Imagine you are a part of a crew of astronauts

想像你是太空人團隊的一員，

traveling to Mars or some distant planet.

正前往火星或某個遙遠的星球。

The travel time could take a year

旅行時間可能需要一年

or even longer.

或甚至更長。

The space on board and the resources

太空艙的空間和資源有限。

would be limited.

So you and the crew would have to figure out how to produce food

所以，你和組員必須有 以最小的投入來生產食物的方法。

with minimal inputs.

What if you could bring with you just a few packets of seeds,

如果你只能帶幾包種子，

and grow crops in a matter of hours?

並且在幾個小時內種出農作物來？

And what if those crops would then make more seeds,

如果這些作物生出更多的種子，

enabling you to feed the entire crew

使你可以僅用最初的那幾包種子， 在旅程上充分供食給全體組員？

with just those few packets of seeds for the duration of the trip?

Well, the scientists at NASA actually figured out a way to do this.

美國太空總署的科學家已想出辦法。

What they came up with was actually quite interesting.

他們想出了挺有意思的辦法，

It involved microorganisms,

牽涉到微生物，

which are single-celled organisms.

是單細胞有機體，

And they also used hydrogen from water.

而且用到水中的氫。

The types of microbes that they used were called hydrogenotrophs,

他們用的微生物 被稱為「嗜氫菌」，

and with these hydrogenotrophs, you can create a virtuous carbon cycle

用這些嗜氫菌就可以 創建一個良性的「碳循環」，

that would sustain life onboard a spacecraft.

足以維持太空船上的生命。

Astronauts would breathe out carbon dioxide,

太空人呼出二氧化碳，

that carbon dioxide would then be captured by the microbes

然後微生物捕獲二氧化碳，

and converted into a nutritious, carbon-rich crop.

並轉換成富含營養與碳的作物。

The astronauts would then eat that carbon-rich crop

太空人吃下這些富含碳的作物，

and exhale the carbon out in the form of carbon dioxide,

以二氧化碳的形式呼出碳來，

which would then be captured by the microbes,

微生物再度捕獲這些二氧化碳，

to create a nutritious crop,

製造出營養作物，

which then would be exhaled in the form of carbon dioxide

再經由太空人 以二氧化碳的形式呼出來。

by the astronauts.

So in this way, a closed-loop carbon cycle is created.

如此，形成了封閉的碳循環。

So why is this important?

為什麼這很重要？

We need carbon to survive as humans,

人類需要碳來維生，

and we get our carbon from food.

並從食物中獲取碳。

On a long space journey,

在漫長的太空旅程中，

you simply wouldn't be able to pick up any carbon along the way,

根本無法沿途取得任何碳，

so you'd have to figure out how to recycle it on board.

所以必須想辦法在艙裡， 將碳回收再利用。

This is a clever solution, right?

這是個聰明的解法，對吧？

But the thing is, that research didn't really go anywhere.

但事實上，這些研究並未獲得實證。

We haven't yet gone to Mars. We haven't yet gone to another planet.

我們還沒去過火星， 還沒去過其他的星球。

And this was actually done in the '60s and '70s.

這項研究實際上是在 60 和 70 年代完成的。

So a colleague of mine, Dr. John Reed, and I,

我的同事約翰．里德博士和我，

were interested, actually, in carbon recycling here on Earth.

對於地球的碳循環很有興趣。

We wanted to come up with technical solutions

我們希望對於氣候變遷 提供技術解決方案。

to address climate change.

And we discovered this research

透過閱讀 60 年代已發表的論文 ──自 1967 年以後的論文──

by reading some papers published in the '60s -- 1967 and later --

articles about this work.

我們發現了這項研究。

And we thought it was a really good idea.

我們認為這是很棒的主意。

So we said, well, Earth is actually like a spaceship.

地球其實像艘太空船。

We have limited space and limited resources,

我們的空間和資源有限，

and on Earth, we really do need to figure out

我們確實需要在地球上找出 更有效的碳回收再利用法。

how to recycle our carbon better.

So we had the idea,

因此，我們有個想法：

can we take some of these NASA-type ideas and apply them

是不是能採用某些太空總署的方法，

來解決地球的碳問題呢？

to our carbon problem here on Earth?

Could we cultivate these NASA-type microbes

能不能培養太空總署類的微生物

in order to make valuable products here on Earth?

做成對地球有價值的產品呢？

We started a company to do it.

我們成立了公司，來實踐這個想法。

And in that company, we discovered that these hydrogenotrophs --

我們公司發現這些嗜氫菌

which I'll actually call nature's supercharged carbon recyclers --

──我稱它們為大自然的 「超級碳回收員」──

we found that they are a powerful class of microbes

我們發現這些在過去

that had been largely overlooked and understudied,

多半被忽略、缺少研究的 強大微生物，

and that they could make some really valuable products.

可以被做成極有價值的產品。

So we began cultivating these products, these microbes, in our lab.

於是我們開始在實驗室裡 培養這些微生物。

We found that we can make essential amino acids from carbon dioxide

我們發現能用這些微生物 把二氧化碳製成必需氨基酸。

using these microbes.

And we even made a protein-rich meal

我們甚至做出了富含蛋白質的餐點，

that has an amino acid profile similar to what you might find

其中含有類似動物蛋白的氨基酸。

in some animal proteins.

We began cultivating them even further,

我們進一步培養它們，

and we found that we can make oil.

發現能製出油來。

Oils are used to manufacture many products.

油可用於製造許多產品。

We made an oil that was similar to a citrus oil,

我們做出類似柑橘油的油品，

which can be used for flavoring and for fragrances,

可用於調味和當作香料，

but it also can be used as a biodegradable cleaner

也可當作可生物分解的清潔劑，

or even as a jet fuel.

甚至做為噴射機的燃料。

And we made an oil that's similar to palm oil.

我們做出了類似棕櫚油的油品。

Palm oil is used to manufacture

棕櫚油被用來製成 各式各樣的消費品和工業產品。

a wide range of consumer and industrial goods.

We began working with manufacturers to scale up this technology,

我們開始與廠商合作，拓展技術，

and we're currently working with them

目前我們正合作

to bring some of these products to market.

要將一些產品上市。

We believe this type of technology can indeed help us

我們相信這一類技術確能幫助我們

profitably recycle carbon dioxide into valuable products --

回收二氧化碳做成 有價值且能獲利的產品，

something that's beneficial for the planet

對地球和企業都有益的產品。

but also beneficial for business.

That's what we're doing today.

這就是我們現今正在做的事情。

But tomorrow, this type of technology and using these types of microbes

但未來，這類型的技術 和微生物的應用，

actually could help us do something even greater

可幫助我們成就更大的事業，

if we take it to the next level.

如果我們將它提昇到另一層次。

We believe that this type of technology

我們認為這類型的技術，

can actually help us address an issue with agriculture

將能幫助我們解決農業問題，

and allow us to create a type of agriculture that's sustainable,

建立可永續經營的農業形態，

that will allow us to scale to meet the demands of tomorrow.

擴展產能以滿足未來的需求。

And why might we need a sustainable agriculture?

為何我們需要可永續經營的農業呢？

Well, actually, it is estimated

事實上，預測顯示：

that the population will reach about 10 billion by 2050,

到 2050 年， 世界將達到百億人口，

and we're projecting that we will need to increase food production

預期我們需增加 70% 的糧食產能。

by 70 percent.

In addition, we will need many more resources and raw materials

此外，我們還需要更多的 資源和原物料，

to make consumer goods and industrial goods.

來製造消費品和工業產品。

So how will we scale to meet that demand?

因此，我們要如何擴展產能 以滿足需求呢？

Well, modern agriculture simply cannot sustainably scale to meet that demand.

現代農業根本無法持續擴展， 以滿足此一需求。

There are a number of reasons why.

有許多的原因：

One of them is that modern agriculture is one of the largest emitters

其中一個原因是，現代農業 是最大的溫室氣體排放源之一。

of greenhouse gases.

In fact, it emits more greenhouse gases

事實上，農業排放的溫室氣體，

than our cars, our trucks, our planes

比我們汽車、卡車、飛機與火車 加總的排放量還要多。

and our trains combined.

Another reason is that modern ag simply takes up a whole lot of land.

另一原因是，現代農業 使用大量的土地。

We have cleared 19.4 million square miles for crops and livestock.

我們已用了 1,940 萬平方英里的 土地來種作物和養牲畜。

What does that look like?

那有多大呢？

Well, that's roughly the size of South America and Africa combined.

面積約為南美洲和非洲的總和。

Let me give you a specific example.

讓我給你一個具體的例子。

In Indonesia, an amount of virgin rainforest was cleared

在印尼，約當愛爾蘭 面積大小的原始熱帶雨林

totaling the size of approximately Ireland,

between 2000 and 2012.

在 2000 至 2012 年間被剷除。

Just think of all of the species, the diversity,

試想，在這過程中 所傷害的各式物種與其多樣性，

that was removed in the process,

whether plant life, insects or animal life.

無論是植物、昆蟲，或動物。

And a natural carbon sink was also removed.

而且，天然的碳匯也被破壞了。

So let me make this real for you.

讓我為你呈現真實的樣貌。

This clearing happened primarily to make room for palm plantations.

剷除這些雨林地，主要是為了 騰出空間來種植棕櫚樹。

And as I mentioned before,

正如我前面所提到的，

palm oil is used to manufacture many products.

棕櫚油用來製造許多產品。

In fact, it is estimated that over 50 percent of consumer products

事實上，估計顯示 超過 50％ 的消費產品

are manufactured using palm oil.

是以棕櫚油為生產原料。

And that includes things like ice cream, cookies ...

包括：冰淇淋、餅乾、

It includes cooking oils.

食用油、

It also includes detergents, lotions, soaps.

清潔劑、乳液、肥皂。

You and I both probably have numerous items

在你我的廚房和浴室中，

in our kitchens and our bathrooms

可能都有許多棕櫚油的製成品。

that were manufactured using palm oil.

So you and I are direct beneficiaries of removed rainforests.

所以，你和我皆是 消失雨林的直接受益者。

Modern ag has some problems,

現代農業存在一些問題，

and we need solutions if we want to scale sustainably.

必須有解決方案才能 擴大和永續經營。

I believe that microbes can be a part of the answer --

我相信微生物是答案的一部分；

specifically, these supercharged carbon recyclers.

尤其是這些超級碳回收員，

These supercharged carbon recyclers,

這些超級碳回收員，

like plants, serve as the natural recyclers

像植物一樣，

在它們活躍的生態系統中， 扮演著自然資源回收者的角色。

in their ecosystems where they thrive.

And they thrive in exotic places on Earth,

它們活躍在地球上特異的地方，

like hydrothermal vents and hot springs.

像是深海溫泉區和溫泉中。

In those ecosystems, they take carbon and recycle it

在這些生態系統中， 它們將碳回收再利用，

into the nutrients needed for those ecosystems.

轉換成這些生態系統所需的養分。

And they're rich in nutrients,

而它們含豐富的營養成分，

such as oils and proteins, minerals and carbohydrates.

例如：油、蛋白質、 礦物質，和碳水化合物。

And actually, microbes are already an integral part of our everyday lives.

事實上，微生物已是我們 日常生活中不可或缺的一部分。

If you enjoy a glass of pinot noir on a Friday night,

如果你喜歡在星期五晚上 喝杯黑皮諾紅酒，

after a long, hard work week,

以犒賞一週工作的辛苦，

then you are enjoying a product of microbes.

那你即是在享受微生物的作品。

If you enjoy a beer from your local microbrewery --

若你喜飲本地小酒廠釀製的啤酒，

a product of microbes.

那也是微生物的產物。

Or bread, or cheese, or yogurt.

其他像是麵包、乳酪、優酪乳，

These are all products of microbes.

也都是微生物的產品。

But the beauty and power associated with these supercharged carbon recyclers

但是，這些超級碳回收員的力與美，

lies in the fact that they can actually produce in a matter of hours

在於它們能夠在短短的 數小時內產出產品，

versus months.

而不是耗費幾個月。

That means we can make crops

這意味著我們可以遠比今日

much faster than we're making them today.

更快的速度來生產作物。

They grow in the dark,

它們毋需陽光生長，

so they can grow in any season

所以它們可以在任何季節、

and in any geography and any location.

任何區域或地點生長。

They can grow in containers that require minimal space.

它們可以在極小的容器中生長。

And we can get to a type of vertical agriculture.

我們可以進行垂直型農業。

Instead of our traditional horizontal agriculture

不同於我們傳統的水平型農業，

that requires so much land,

垂直型所需的土地不多，

we can scale vertically,

可垂直擴展，

and as a result produce much more product per area.

結果是每單位面積 能生產更多的產品。

If we implement this type of approach and use these carbon recyclers,

如果施行這類型的農法， 並且使用這些碳回收員，

then we wouldn't have to remove any more rainforests

就毋需砍伐更多的熱帶雨林，

to make the food and the goods that we consume.

來供給我們的食品與貨物的消耗。

Because, at a large scale,

因為，若大規模生產，

you can actually make 10,000 times more output per land area

每單位土地面積將有萬倍的產出；

than you could -- for instance, if you used soybeans --

例如，如果種植大豆，

if you planted soybeans on that same area of land

在同一塊土地上種植一年後，

over a period of a year.

Ten thousand times over a period of a year.

一年會有一萬倍的產出。

So this is what I mean by a new type of agriculture.

這是我要傳達的新型農業，

And this is what I mean by developing a system

是個能夠永續經營，

that allows us to sustainably scale to meet the demands of 10 billion.

滿足百億人口需求的農業。

And what would be the products of this new type of agriculture?

這種新型農業生產什麼樣的產品呢？

Well, we've already made a protein meal,

我們已經做出了蛋白粉，

so you can imagine something similar to a soybean meal,

所以不難想像 我們可做出類似大豆粉、

or even cornmeal, or wheat flour.

玉米粉或甚至麵粉。

We've already made oils,

我們已做出油，

so you can imagine something similar to coconut oil

所以不難想像 亦可做出類似於椰子油、

or olive oil or soybean oil.

橄欖油，或大豆油的東西。

So this type of crop can actually produce the nutrients

這類型的作物真能產生營養成分，

that would give us pasta and bread,

供應我們麵條、麵包、

cakes, nutritional items of many sorts.

蛋糕，和許多種類的營養品。

Furthermore, since oil is used to manufacture multiple other goods,

此外，因為油被廣泛用來 製造許多其他商品、

industrial products and consumer products,

工業產品和消費類產品，

you can imagine being able to make detergents, soaps, lotions, etc.,

可想像用這類作物來製造 清潔劑、肥皂、乳液等。

using these types of crops.

Not only are we running out of space,

總而言之，不僅地球 所剩的空間有限，

but if we continue to operate under the status quo

若我們繼續以現狀施行農法，

with modern agriculture,

we run the risk of robbing our progeny of a beautiful planet.

我們將面臨剝奪後代 擁有美麗地球的風險。

But it doesn't have to be this way.

但是毋需這樣，

We can imagine a future of abundance.

我們可以想像豐饒的未來。

Let us create systems that keep planet Earth, our spaceship,

讓我們創造一個不僅讓地球 ──我們的太空船──

not only from not crashing,

免於崩潰的系統，

but let us also develop systems and ways of living

也發展益於我們自己、

that will be beneficial to the lives of ourselves

益於 2050 年後的百億地球人

and the 10 billion that will be on this planet by 2050.

所生存的生活方式與系統。

Thank you very much.

非常感謝大家。

(Applause)

（掌聲）