Kailua-Kona startup company Symbrosia says the use of seaweed can reduce livestock methane.
Over the course of a year, this diet can eliminate about 2 tons of CO2 per head of cattle in Hawaii, according to Alexia Akbay, CEO of Symbrosia.
“We work to reduce a main source of greenhouse gases in the agriculture supply chain - enteric methane,” Akbay told Big Island Times. “By adding a small amount of red seaweed called limu kohu to the diet of livestock, we can reduce their methane emissions by over 90%.”
In the U.S., studies have shown that livestock add 36% of the methane that humans cause.
A Yale graduate, Akbay co-founded Symbrosia Solutions in 2018 to commercialize the growth and cultivation of Asparagopsis taxiformis, a red seaweed that could reduce livestock methane emissions by as much as 80%, according to media reports.
“We work with agribusinesses in a number of ways in Hawaii,” she said. “First we help to communicate the value for them of using seaweed feed, both the sustainability and the health benefits. If there is a shared understanding, we develop implementation pilot trials to quantify emission reductions and ensure that the operation is set up to completely implement the seaweed product. In the future, we will be working with businesses to receive additional revenue from the methane reduction and premiums in the market with their purchasers.”
Hawaii's recent declaration of a climate emergency, reported widely, hasn’t stopped Akbay’s Symbrosia.
“It is an honor to develop sustainable technologies, partnerships and community in a place that prioritizes so highly the value of our land and oceans,” she said. “It is important to collaborate across the entire value chain to achieve Hawaii's food sovereignty and sustainability goals. This includes state legislation. We are thrilled to be working with many within our state government to achieve a shared vision of sustainability before it's too late.”
Akbay believes Hawaii is uniquely positioned, especially following COVID-19, to rise to the challenge.
“Hawaii continues to be a leader in the concept of Malama 'Aina and now the rest of the world is watching,” she added. “Society is calling on leaders to move us through the next industrial epoch — sustainability."
The public can follow Symbroisa on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter on the Symbrosia website.
“If you're a stakeholder and interested in getting involved with our technology, reach out on the contact us form on our website and we will get back to you ASAP,” Akbay said.