Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, faced backlash after revealing his project to produce top-tier beef by feeding cattle locally sourced macadamia and beer at his luxury Hawaiian ranch. Zuckerberg shared images of the meat on Instagram, stating his goal to create some of the world’s highest-quality beef. The cattle, including Japanese wagyu and Scottish angus breeds, are raised on his 1,400-acre ranch on Kauai, Hawaii.
Zuckerberg emphasized the local and vertically integrated approach, with cattle consuming macadamia meal and beer produced on the ranch. He mentioned his daughters’ involvement in planting macadamia trees and caring for the animals. Despite his enthusiasm, the billionaire’s announcement drew criticism for various reasons.
Some experts questioned the wisdom of cultivating water-intensive macadamia nuts during a global water scarcity crisis. Additionally, concerns were raised about the environmental impact of beef cattle production, a significant contributor to global warming. Fully grown cows can release up to 500 liters of methane per day, constituting 3.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.
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Critics, including Mitch Jones, policy director at Food & Water Watch, labeled the project a “billionaire’s strange sideshow” and called for genuine agricultural reform to address systemic issues in the food industry and adapt to a warming climate. PETA Vice President Shalin Gala expressed displeasure, urging Zuckerberg to consider a vegan approach.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about sustainable and ethical practices in agriculture, particularly when championed by high-profile figures like Zuckerberg.
