Individuals could cut their greenhouse-gas emissions by replacing meals with algae grown at home using the countertop Spira device by recent design graduate Rob Russell.
Spira is a photobioreactor, which means it uses light to cultivate microorganisms ? in this case, spirulina, a nutrient-dense algae.
Spirulina is so rich in protein, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that NASA uses it as a key food source for astronauts on long space-flights.

Russell designed Spira for daily harvesting of the microalgae. The device would produce two tablespoons of fresh spirulina each day, or the equivalent of 4.5 grams in its dried form.
This small amount constitutes a recommended daily serving, which the designer suggests adding to sauces, smoothies or salads.
In its dehydrated form, the algae is already popular as a dietary supplement, however few people like the taste of commercially available dried spirulina. According to Russell, the algae is tasteless in its fresh form.
Harvesting it fresh at home also has the potential to increase its health benefits while reducing food miles.
It could also allow people to cut down on the overall amount of food they need to consume, and therefore reduce land- and water-intensive livestock and crop farming.

"Food, the energy-bearer on which all life relies, is responsible for 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions," said Russell. "We need to reimagine the way we produce and consume nutrients in order to feed an ever-increa...