Sustainable development and circularity are at the core of the **Natronaut mission**. Our goal is to **remediate nitrogen pollution** caused by agricultural runoff. We aim to not only treat the symptoms of this problem through **bioremediation** but also become part of the solution through the development of sustainable agricultural products and practices that benefit:
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## 🎯 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The United Nations has established **17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)** as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals serve as a global call to action to **end poverty, protect the planet,** and **ensure peace and prosperity** for all. We have carried these values throughout our design process due to the inherently aligned nature of our project. As our SDG compass we first understood the SDGs, then defined our priority SDGs and finally set goals of how we would integrate them into our project. As such, we at Natronaut beleive that our mission aligns with the following SDGs:
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By removing nitrates, we support fisheries, safeguard marine habitats, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems. Our project is a key step toward preserving life below water for future generations and combating the global nitrogen crisis at its source.
Our project directly supports food security and sustainable agriculture through the use of **single-cell proteins (SCPs)** from **V. natriegens**. SCPs not only serve as an innovative, sustainable feed alternative for livestock, but they can also be used as a direct nutritional supplement for humans. This makes them an essential tool in tackling issues related to food production, resource consumption, and malnutrition.
#### Boosting Livestock Productivity:
1. **Improved Feed Quality**:
- SCPs are packed with proteins, amino acids, and essential nutrients, offering a far more efficient feed alternative. This helps improve livestock growth and health, meaning farmers can produce more food from the same number of animals. Healthier animals also mean better quality meat, milk, and eggs, which directly boosts both **food security** and **nutrition**.
2. **Efficiency in Resource Use**:
- Unlike traditional feed crops like soy, which need large amounts of land, water, and fertilizers, SCPs can be produced in **controlled environments** with far fewer resources. By reducing the demand for land needed for animal feed, we can free up agricultural space for food crops directly consumed by humans, helping reduce the competition between feed and food production.
#### Promoting Food Security:
1. **Reducing Pressure on Arable Land**:
- Using SCPs as a replacement for traditional livestock feed reduces the pressure on agricultural land, allowing more space for cultivating food crops. This shift is crucial for regions where agricultural land is limited or degraded, improving both food availability and accessibility.
2. **Climate Resilience**:
- SCP production isn’t as vulnerable to extreme weather events as traditional agriculture is. This resilience means a **stable, continuous supply of high-quality feed**, even in regions hit by climate change. In turn, this helps ensure a more reliable food system that can better handle environmental challenges.
#### Addressing Malnutrition:
1. **Nutrient-Rich Animal Products**:
- Livestock fed with SCP-based diets produce more **nutrient-dense** meat, milk, and eggs. This can significantly help combat malnutrition in vulnerable communities by increasing access to high-protein, nutrient-packed food sources.
2. **Direct Human Consumption of SCPs**:
- SCPs can also be used as **nutritional supplements** for humans, especially in communities with limited access to high-quality protein sources. Since SCPs are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, they provide a crucial way to tackle **protein deficiencies** in under-resourced areas, improving overall health outcomes.
By addressing the nutritional needs of both livestock and people, our project directly contributes to advancing **SDG 2**. SCPs provide a scalable, sustainable solution to boost livestock productivity, reduce resource competition, and improve access to vital nutrients, helping ensure we meet global food security goals.
### **🌳 SDG 15: Life on Land**
> *Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.*
