On a Mission to Disrupt the Food System: A Conversation with Rania Hashim
We’re on a mission to help build a world that’s kinder and greener for the planet, animals, and for future generations. But we can’t do it alone. Vision of a Kinder, Greener World is a new series on our blog featuring interviews with changemakers, thought leaders, artists, and everyone in between sharing what they’re doing to make a better world a reality. No matter who you are or what you do, we believe everyone can be part of making a world that’s better for everything. Optimism isn’t just for dreamers.
Rania Hashim has dedicated her young life to finding collaborative ways to challenge the status quo. Her passion made her a perfect addition to the Gen Z division of our Sustainability and Health Council. Like the rest of the changemakers on our Gen Z panel, to Rania, science and technology solutions can help us achieve a climate-positive future.
Rania has simulated precision fermentation processes to make animal-free whey and casein, researched technology that offers custom recommendations to improve our gut microbiomes, and more. Her hard work has won her awards and accolades for academic distinction, including exhibiting a project for the United Nations.
We spoke with Rania to hear how her passion and work today will pave the way for a kinder, greener world:
Tell us about yourself.
I’m on a mission to drive human progress and disrupt industries (specifically, the food system). A student of The Knowledge Society, I am motivated to make my vision of a cleaner, greener future a reality by learning and developing emerging technologies like cellular agriculture and biotechnology. I have done research and worked on projects in the alternative protein, artificial intelligence, and fem-tech spaces.
What inspired you to join the Sustainability and Health Council?
When I was 13, I learned about the impact that consumption of meat and dairy has on our world. That’s when my journey started. I started off with activism, organizing a chapter of a youth movement called Youth Climate Save in Dubai. That really helped me understand this impact deeper and I gained some essential skills along the way. Soon, I realized that I wanted to make a bigger impact on the food system that extended beyond individual choice. This is when I stumbled across the term “cellular agriculture” which refers to methods and processes to grow agricultural products like meat and milk via cell cultures (🤯).
By 2050, what does a kinder, greener world look like to you?
From the insights that I’ve gained, a kinder, greener world for me will include a food system built on humane and conscious practices. Animal-free dairy will be stocked in our local convenience stores and will be accessible to everyone. Moreover, sustainability will guide our decision-making, from simple day-to-day choices to major corporate decisions. Climate education will be an integral part of the curriculum and people will come together to innovate. I am confident we can achieve this if we all work together for the planet.
What do you wish more people knew about?
Something I wish people knew more about is the impact our plates have on the environment. Our food choices can impact the world more than we think and STEM-based solutions can allow us to enjoy the same food in a kinder, greener way.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?
In the next five years, I want to build a start-up that focuses on using technology to fix our food system. To get there, I want to develop a deeper, practical understanding of cellular agriculture technology like precision fermentation.
I also want to explore my other passions and prioritize my well-being.
What’s your favorite dairy product (that you can’t wait to be available animal-free!)?
Definitely ice cream! I CAN’T wait for animal-free ice cream to be available where I live 🙂
—
We are in awe of all that Rania and the other Gen Z panel members have accomplished in their young lives for the progress of people, the planet, and animals. Do you or someone you know have an inspiring vision to share? Let us know in the comment box below.
We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Your email address will not be shared.
