The Entry

This is a remarkable innovation that makes us more resilient across a variety of fronts, most notably easing pressures caused by food waste, overfishing, other animal resources, and energy.

Overfishing alone is ginormous. According to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, an astonishing 80%-90% of the world’s fish stocks are at or near depletion, with consumption still growing thanks to developing-country growth. This Bloomberg story paints the ugly picture.

As climate change accelerates and interrupts food supplies, we will find ourselves wishing for some fishing and just not finding it.

Iceland’s Atlantic Leather has a partial answer, and an important example: instead of fishing to make leather off those poor animals’ skin, use the skin of discarded fish after dinner! (Why didn’t I think of that, right?) At least this way, fish is harvested for your fork, not for your shoes.

Producers of leather from reptiles and other land-based animals should take note, particularly given the multi-trillion dollar size of the industry.

The Story

Turning food waste into exotic leather

By Sustainia, Global Opportunity Explorer, 20 February 2018.

Highlight: “None of the fish used to make this alternative leather are farmed for their hides. Instead, the skins used are byproducts of food processing. This means that the leather does not negatively impact fish stocks and ocean biodiversity.”

Here’s a video from the story: