GRACE Communications Foundation
The latest calculations from Compassion in World Farming suggest that we farm around 70 billion animals worldwide every year - nearly 10 animals for every single person on the planet. Around 70% of these animals (that's nearly 50 billionare factory farmed, which is bad news for the farm animals, as well as people and planet.
To start at the beginning, what are Genetically Modified Organisms? GMOs have had their DNA altered in a way that doesn’t happen naturally. Individual genes are transferred from one organism to another to obtain a desired trait or characteristic, including transferring between non-related species (such as placing jellyfish genes in pig embryos to create glowing pigs). The process is referred to as "modern biotechnology," "gene technology," "recombinant DNA technology" or "genetic engineering."
As a child I had strep throat on a regular basis. The doctor would diagnose me by putting a giant Q-tip into the back of my throat to check for bacteria. I was given penicillin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline - at least those are the names of the antibiotics that I remember.
Nothing says summer like strawberries, but before you bite into your next, read this. Methyl Bromide, a soil fumigant often used on strawberry crops, was phased out in the US by 2005 because it was depleting the ozone layer. The phase out was based on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean Air Act. And what did they replace it with? Another toxic pesticide.
Sea level rise is a concept that most people, including New Yorkers, can’t yet personalize. More public education is vital to ensure that New York City’s residents are able and willing to make informed decisions about specific actions and their associated budgetary requirements. Then we won’t be forced to react to natural disasters, instead we will proactively avoid or minimize the damage from the changes we inevitably face.
A new global map illustrates the size and location of 400 oxygen-deprived oceanic "dead zones," most of which are triggered by fertilizer runoff.
At the Hydrofutures: Water Science, Technology and Communities conference in Seattle in July, the most important takeaway in water, energy and agriculture is that there is cooperation but not a lot of collaboration.
"Vanishing of the Bees" follows the story of American beekeepers who are rapidly losing their bees to the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The investigation reveals that the culprit may be tied to our industrial farming practices.
I have a pretty good arrangement with my roommate: he likes to cook and I like to eat what he cooks. So how come every time I eat his food I cringe?
US-born James Whitlow Delano has spent the last 17 years traveling throughout Asia shooting challenging human rights situations and environmental disasters.
Clam and scallop shells show detrimental effects from increasing levels of carbon dioxide, and even when grown under current levels. Carbon dioxide will have major impacts on shellfish.
An overview of the 7,000 events planned in 188 countries for 350.org's 10/10/10 events (inspired by author/activist Bill McKibben).
When prompted to consider water pollution, most people envision classic point sources; the corroded factory pipe, the municipal waste treatment plant, the oil behemoth’s offshore well. But when I don my Water Pollution Contemplation Cap, I inevitably envision industrial livestock facilities.
Birke Baehr, and 11 year old future organic farmer, is making waves throughout the sustainable food movement. Already a YouTube sensation, Birke hopes to use his fame to change the future of our food system.
FIJI Water and its parent company, Roll International, are using a lot of water - and making a lot of dough - at the expense of surrounding communities.
You might be surprised by how much meat and dairy you eat. The water footprint of meat and dairy production can be larger than a person's direct water use.
