One of the most toxic and carcinogenic threats in the human food supply is a natural chemical called “aflatoxin”; the chance that it will contaminate a crop is enhanced by drought and/or insect damage – both conditions expected to be more common with the onset of climate change.
Tag: agriculture
Is the End of the Banana Near?
Extinction of species is an unfortunate problem of homogenization. As we learn more about the environment, we as a society have begun to make changes in many areas of our life. We drive hybrids, have solar powered garage doors, and recycle.
We Are Losing the Most Vital Commodity of All: Farmland
With each passing year, we learn more and more about our impact on the environment and the depletion of many of our vital resources. As we learn more, individuals are looking to do what they can to reduce their impact and lessen their burden on our planet.
Food Production & Economic Empowerment: Mexico's Alternative Market of Tlaxcala
The Alternative Market of Tlaxcala is one example of food production and community effort creating economic opportunity for small-scale farmers in the developing world.
The Real Doomsday Vaults: Pictures of Seed Banks Across the Globe
Do global seed vaults provide protection of biodiversity for all, or just the few with access to them?
Brightfarms: The Hydroponic Farm for the Grocery Store Roof
Editor’s note: Back in June, I came across start-up company Brightfarms, and wrote a post about them at SUNfiltered. When I saw that Elizabeth Smyth at Insteading had covered the [ … ]
Why Does Organic Seem Larger Than It Is?
For a long time we have been hearing that “Organic is the fastest growing segment of the food industry.” Organic advocates make the claim that Organic could “feed the world” [ … ]
Grain Production Falling as Soil Erosion Continues
The thin layer of topsoil that covers much of the earth’s land surface is the foundation of civilization. As long as soil erosion on cropland does not exceed new soil [ … ]
Genetic Contamination May Not Mean What You Think It Means
In the debate about GMO crops, the “threat of genetic contamination” is often raised as a reason to reject the technology. Is this threat real? Does it justify acts of [ … ]
Are High Global Food Prices A New Norm?
FAO (The food and agriculture organization of the United Nations) released their June estimate of global food price indices yesterday. The new numbers were mixed, but not encouraging overall. [ … ]
Biodiversity: a Metaguide
Of all the environmental challenges currently facing us, biodiversity loss probably gets the least amount of broad attention… likely because its also one of the toughest to wrap our heads [ … ]
Short Film Discusses GM Crops “Farmer to Farmer”
There have been several points over the past few weeks when I’ve thought “You know what… let’s just take a break on agriculture.” Proponents of biotechnology, organic agriculture, and other [ … ]
10 Existential Threats To Global Agriculture
I tend to be a “glass half full” sort of person, particularly about the prospects of successfully feeding the 9-10 billion people we expect by 2050. My optimism is based [ … ]