Mark Edwards, Professor of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability at Arizona State University

Mark Edwards has written several books on the benefits of algae and has been heavily involved with what is occurring in the algae industry. Below, he answered some questions on what he is currently working on as well as the International Algae Competition.

1. You seem to be doing a lot of different things in the algae industry. Could you give brief outline of what you are currently working on?

Smart microforms that enable anyone globally to cultivate algae for their family or community locally.

100-Year Starship — please see two attachments. I have no grant funding so this is taken a huge amount of time. [Editor's note: See links below]

2. A lot of your focus recently seems to be less on using algae for fuel production and more on algae’s nutritional aspects. Why is that?

I have always been focused on algae for food. Food is the most important energy on the planet. Nearly all the businesses I consult with began with algae biofuels business plans and I told them biofuels will be a coproduct. Now, nearly all algae companies recognize that many, many coproducts have 10 and even 100 times more value than biofuels

3. Each time our world has faced the inability to feed itself, technological improvements have been made to boost food production. Do you see algae as the next technological advancement to feeding the world’s growing population?

Yes. Thank you for reviewing Cash! We will run out of fossil resources within the next generation. Abundance lays out a path for the production of food and other forms of energy using plentiful resources that will not run out — sunshine, carbon dioxide and wastewater.

4. What do you think will need to happen for people to look at algae as true food source and not just as a nutritional supplement?

Freedom Foods lays out the value proposition for algae as food for people or nutrient source for conventional produce, fuel crops and meet animals.

As you know Jon, changing eating behavior is not a trivial task. I’m proposing a 3rd food category. Consumers can currently choose between industrial foods and organic foods. Both are unsustainable due to the extraordinary consumption of fossil resources. Organic foods consume as many fossil resources as industrial foods.

Freedom Foods:
• give consumers freedom of choice for healthier foods with superior taste and no waste
• avoid the consumption of most fossil resources, so those
• resources will be available for our children.
avoid the waste and pollution caused by industrial food production.

5. What do you think the timeline is for algae foods to make their way to the market on a large scale?

We will see the 1st algae foods next year from fermentation producers such as Solayzme. Who is going to turn down chocolate cake with 85% fewer calories and almost no cholesterol?

I predict algae foods will be in more demand than suppliers have capacity.

6. On a different note, I see you are involved with the Algae Competition. What is the Algae Competition and what are its goals?

As defined on the International Algae Competition website:
A Global Challenge to Design Visionary Algae Food and Energy Systems
• Design landscapes that integrate algae production systems
• Develop models of algae production systems and microfarms
• Create new algae foods and algae food products

7. Is the Algae Competition partnered with anyone?

Partners are listed on the site. This is a self-funded activity and Robert Henrikson and I are hoping for additional sponsors.

8. With the deadline being October 11, how many participants have signed up?

About 30 in each category. You can see some of the participants now.

9. Why would someone want to sign up for to be a participant?

To help our world. Algae Competition is a form of marketing research called Crowd Sourcing.

10. Any additional thoughts?

Most of my current thinking is integrated into the 2 starship papers.

Mark Edwards
Professor of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability
Arizona State University
http://www.algaealliance.com/

Sustainable Functional Foods and Medicines support Vitality, Sex, and Longevity for a 100-year Starship Expedition (Text Version)

Sustainable Functional Foods and Medicines support Vitality, Sex, and Longevity for a 100-year Starship Expedition (Presentation Version)

Mark Edwards’ “Algae 101″ articles on the Algae Industry Magazine can be found here.