Mushrooms, metropolises & more with Agritecture's technologist

Added on 20 July 2022

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Mushrooms, metropolises & more with Agritecture's technologist

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, a metropolis whose population density is almost twice that of New York City, Justin has been familiar with the systemic challenges of overpopulation from a young age. Because of this, he's "always been fascinated by how cities, and more broadly civilization, will look in the future."

After witnessing vast investments being made in renewable energy, particularly in solar panels and wind turbines, and "feeling disillusioned about the true environmental impact of these projects," Justin focused his attention on building and investigating climate-adaptive solutions in other fields.

This is how Justin landed in agriculture.

In learning that "emissions from agricultural production currently account for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions," and that this is on the rise given our planet's increasing density and demand for food, Justin found a place he could make a difference.

"I looked at examples of how the Dutch were growing food and tried to envision how agricultural systems would have to change [in shape and form to meet] with increasing land, water, and labor pressures globally. I also profoundly realized that agriculture and climate are inextricably intertwined," shares Justin.

"It is our generation's challenge to evolve past the unsustainable agricultural practices that are contributing to the deterioration of Earth's health."

 JUSTIN HYUNJAE CHUNG, AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIST AT AGRITECTURE

Editor's Note: Get to know the amazing team at Agritecture! This interview features Justin Hyunjae Chung, Agriculture Technologist at Agritecture Consulting.

Photo caption: Justin holding a pearl oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushroom block at University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (UA CEAC) mushroom fruiting trailer. Courtesy of Agritecture.

Source: Agritecture