I can imagine a future where most animals are farmed animals. I’m not saying it’s particularly likely, but if humans spread to other planets, I think we’re more likely to take factory farming with us than take nature with us. Farmed animals should be part of this convo imo.
Does that mean you think it’s likely that we will spread to other planets without spreading ecosystems? If we spread ecosystems it seems likely that we would also spread at least some wild animals. And I think we have good reasons to do so—to promote good atmospheres and other ecosystem services.
I feel pretty skeptical that humans capable of going to other galaxies would not have realized the inefficiencies of meat and would still not have made competitive substitutes.
This. I do not see off-world animal farming as a real issue. It’s such an energy and resource inefficient way of making food. Indeed, a prerequisite or a proxy indicator for Earth-independent sustainable civilization seems to be extremely good efficiency in food production. You can’t possibly be on Mars or make an interstellar ship and still have a thousand cows in it for making some cheese.
I can imagine a future where most animals are farmed animals. I’m not saying it’s particularly likely, but if humans spread to other planets, I think we’re more likely to take factory farming with us than take nature with us. Farmed animals should be part of this convo imo.
Copying my response from your other comment:
Does that mean you think it’s likely that we will spread to other planets without spreading ecosystems? If we spread ecosystems it seems likely that we would also spread at least some wild animals. And I think we have good reasons to do so—to promote good atmospheres and other ecosystem services.
I feel pretty skeptical that humans capable of going to other galaxies would not have realized the inefficiencies of meat and would still not have made competitive substitutes.
This. I do not see off-world animal farming as a real issue. It’s such an energy and resource inefficient way of making food. Indeed, a prerequisite or a proxy indicator for Earth-independent sustainable civilization seems to be extremely good efficiency in food production. You can’t possibly be on Mars or make an interstellar ship and still have a thousand cows in it for making some cheese.