Food is a major focus area when it comes to talks of climate change. Lack of it, the toll cattle and other herd animals are taking on the environment, the lack of space and water for agriculture, etc. These are all issues we’re going to have to wrestle with. There’s one small solution out there though: Microbes.

There’s plenty of protein made from plants but they are still tied to growing in a swiftly changing world. Microbes on the other hand can be grown in vats with very little trouble. Bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae are all possibilities for food sources of the future and some companies have already started producing, and selling, their goods.

They may not seem appetizing. Who wants to knowingly eat bacteria? But this food source uses far less resources and may be integral to fighting hunger as droughts and changing conditions make food harder to grow. By then, I’m sure the taste profile of these foods will be sufficient.