“You are dealing with a really big problem”

Cows are notorious for their rather gaseous digestive system, which releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere via manure and gastrointestinal inflammation (also known as burping and flatulence).

All that methane in our environment has a huge impact on warming our planet. According to UC Davis, livestock – mostly cows – are responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

But the solution to this rather strange climate problem could be lurking in an unexpected place: your poke bowl.

As Civil Beat details, recent research has found that adding red algae—actually a type of seaweed—to cows’ feed can lead to a nearly 80 percent reduction in their methane emissions.

The seaweed in question is a popular Hawaiian seaweed called Limu Kohu. You may recognize this type of seaweed from your poke. It is deep red and threadlike in appearance and gives the dish a distinctive bitter or iodized taste. It may not sound delicious, but the name Limu Kohu means “pleasant seaweed.”

The red algae are certainly pleasant for cows and their digestive systems. Trials by the red algae feed additive manufacturer Symbrosia have shown that a dosage of just 0.5% of the daily diet of cattle can lead to a sustainable methane reduction of 80%.

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Independent research has produced similar results. A UC Davis study found that increasing red algae by 1% of a cow’s total diet resulted in methane pollution that was 67% lower than normal, an astonishing reduction that was previously impossible.

“They have a really big problem on their hands,” Jim Wyban, a leader in Hawaii’s aquaculture industry, told Civil Beat about companies like Symbrosia.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, methane from human activities is responsible for about 30% of current global overheating. In the short term, the harmful gas is estimated to be more than 80 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide, making methane particularly dangerous to our environment.

According to the United Nations, methane is also the main contributor to ground-level ozone air pollution, which causes an estimated 1 million premature deaths each year. Reducing methane from livestock farming could therefore be key to curbing much of the pollution that is damaging public health and accelerating the rise in global temperatures.

As the incredible potential of red algae reaches the agricultural sector, companies that sell the algae are increasing their production. The World Bank estimates that the international algae farming industry could be worth nearly $12 billion by 2030, given the product’s potential.

Even the federal government is fully committed to the Limu Koh solution, awarding Symbrosia more than $2.2 million in grants this year. The Hawaiian brand recently signed deals with dairy giants Organic Valley and Danone and is now bringing its product to some of the country’s largest livestock farms. Another red algae feed additive brand, Blue Ocean Barns, also recently signed deals with major dairies and Ben & Jerry’s.

Symbrosia CEO Alexia Akbay recently told Civil Beat that the funding “is really the next step for us to start commercially expanding our products.”

While red algae is a promising solution to methane pollution, there are other ways to reduce your methane footprint. For meat eaters, the United Nations Environmental Programme recommends eating more plant-based meals and looking for alternative protein sources. Composting, switching to an induction cooktop and reducing food waste can also help lower your methane production.

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