The citynew article is terrible, the university release explains things better, including highlighting the problems with the livestock industry they are trying to solve (also with the mining industry).
Who paid for this research? The cattle association?
The single cell protein (SCP) research is very old. In this specific case, it was https://www.cvictus.com/ that asked U of A to check if they could create protein with their hydrogen.
Helping the environment means ending the livestock industry and moving to a varied plant-based diet.
Humans consume a lot of SCP, people might be more comfortable with algae and fungi based, but it is not that uncommon to check the ingredient lists and see some “bacillus” in there, or Spirulina if you are into cooking.
Bacteria yield more protein per volume, but sadly, they also can create toxins and might not taste as great as algae and fungi, that also adds to the importance of those kinds of research.
A few papers down the line and these SCP can help us end the need for livestock.
“dried methanol mixed with bacteria protein”
That is not the case.
Ending cruelty is an honourable cause, and also benefits us a lot. But the way you use your words reminded me of those Republicans defunding research and aid because the wording made them uncomfortable.
With this, the prospect of electoral reform seems bleak.
But it looks better than the alternative with 1% chance.