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Episode 35: Mission Impossible

Next: Episode 36: Building for Birds
Episode Location
Emmet, Arkansas
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Credits

Mission Impossible - Educator Guide

Topics

Mammals Plants & Fungi Rewilding & Reforestation Technology Industry & Agriculture North America

It was a late-career epiphany that led “wacky genius” Pat Brown to abandon his academic career and commit himself to fighting global warming and biodiversity collapse. He did it, against all odds, by developing a surprising product: the revolutionary and delicious plant-based Impossible Burger.

Pat Brown is a preeminent biochemist and Stanford professor with a most impressive resume. He pioneered research into the AIDS virus, invented DNA imaging tools, and helped revolutionize open access to scientific research. Then, well into his successful career, he took a sabbatical “to figure out what was the most important thing I could do to make the best possible world?”

After coming to the conclusion that the impact of animal agriculture on climate change and biodiversity loss was unacceptable, Pat decided to do something about it. He ditched his lab and began working on the creation of the Impossible Burger: a plant-based meat alternative that uses 96% less land, 87% less fresh water, and generates 89% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional beef burgers. Through groundbreaking science and unwavering commitment, Pat’s work has not only transformed the culinary landscape, it is providing real hope for a more sustainable and ethical food system.

Now, having proven that plant-based meat can compete with animal products on the open market, Pat is jumping ahead to the next big question: What’s the best way to use the land that can be freed up from raising cows and other livestock? On a thousand acres in Arkansas owned by the Impossible Foundation, Pat and fellow scientist, Michael Eisen are boots-deep into a real-world case study on turning carbon-emitting cattle ranches into carbon-capturing forests that also promote biodiversity. They call it the Carbon Ranch.

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Undoing the Damage of Large-Scale Animal Agriculture

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Be sure to see 🔗 link in bio for your free download infographic!Largescale animal agriculture has an immense impact on the planet. Did you know:

🌎 It’s responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector.

🐄 Methane from cows is 28x more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO₂.

🌱 75% of agricultural land on earth is used for livestock.

🍔 It takes 25 pounds of feed per cow to produce just a single pound of edible beef. 

These challenges are daunting, but change is possible. In Wild Hope: Mission Impossible, scientist Pat Brown explores solutions that reforest agricultural lands, restore biodiversity, and fight climate change.

Download our infographic for more eye-opening facts and share it to inspire action.

WildHope PBSNature CarbonSequestering SustainableFarming Reforestation ConservationHeroes
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘?This tiny but mighty molecule 🌟 plays a massive role in life on Earth! 🌍 
It’s what makes blood red 🩸, helps oxygen move through your body 💨, and, according to scientist Pat Brown, creates the “meaty” flavor of animal products 🍔. 

Thanks to breakthroughs by Pat and other biologists… heme is now reproducible in plants 🌱, and on a massive scale. 🚀 

In *Wild Hope: Mission Impossible*, Pat uses this discovery to revolutionize food systems 🌾, tackling the environmental impact of animal agriculture 🌎 while creating delicious, plant-based alternatives 🌿. 

Curious how science is reshaping the future of food? 🤔 Watch the full episode now on PBS Nature’s YouTube 📺 or WildHope.tv. 

🔗 Link in bio. 

WildHope PBSNature PatBrown FoodInnovation CarbonSequestering ConservationHeroes
This Cyber Monday, let technology bring you closer to a world of nature, restoration, and Wild Hope. 🌍 Watch this exciting Wild Hope trailer as we prepare for the end of the year and another season of inspiration. Discover ways you can take action – as a citizen scientist, advocate, conservationist rewilder, or communicator!Explore inspiring stories of bold solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. Learn how science, community action, and resilience are coming together to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems—from oysters cleaning NYC waters to coffee farming saving rainforests in Mozambique.

✨ What’s your favorite episode, and why? Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear!

🌟 Know someone who’d love these stories? Share this post and help spread hope.

Stream all episodes now on PBS Nature’s YouTube or WildHope.tv.

🔗 Link in bio.

WildHope PBSNature ConservationHeroes Rewilding Biodiversity CyberMonday
🌲 This Black Friday, let’s go green… Forest green! 🌿🌊 The Elwha River’s revival—featured in *Wild Hope: The Beautiful Undammed*—is one of the most inspiring ecological comeback stories in recent history. After two dams were removed, salmon 🐟 finally returned to the rivers, carrying vital nutrients from the ocean 🌎 to enrich the surrounding forests. 🌳 This renewal demonstrates the incredible effectiveness of reforestation efforts across the Pacific Northwest. 

🌱 In our most recent episode, *Wild Hope: Mission Impossible*, Pat Brown is converting a former cattle ranch 🐄 into a carbon-sequestering forest. 🌳 These efforts highlight how reforestation—whether along rivers or on ranches—can combat climate change 🌡️ and restore biodiversity. 🦋 

This season, let’s reflect on how we can take part in this global effort. 🌍 Opt outside, connect with nature 🌞, and share these inspiring episodes on **WildHope.tv** with anyone who might appreciate an alternative to Black Friday! 

🔗 Link in bio. 

WildHope PBSNature Reforestation ElwhaRiver CarbonSequestering ConservationHeroes OptOutside GreenFriday
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