(A man walks before a rainstorm in Kogelo village, Kenya. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya)
Another Milestone Toward Making Cell Phones the Future of Weather Observations
Scientists have found that it is possible to monitor global rainfall using the telephone antenna network. With the lack of weather data in many technology-poor locations, this could prove be a game-changer in the future of global weather observations and forecasting. A new study details how simple measurement of the loss in signal between telephone antennae can predict whether it’s raining.
5 Futuristic Food Wrappers That You Don’t Have to Throw Away
Swedish design group Tomorrow Machine has a novel approach to sustainable packaging: food wrappers that are meant to be composted or washed down the drain. It hints of a Jetsonian pantry-of-the-future, but the inspirations behind Tomorrow Machine’s designs are very, very, old: fruit and eggs.
Cool Planet: Can Biochar Fertilize Soil and Help Fight Climate Change?
Napa Valley grower Eckhard Kaesekamp believes his grapevines have achieved a 5% higher yield than expected thanks to a soil treatment called CoolTerra—a product made from a carbon-rich substance called “biochar.” Biochar results from the carbonization from plant matter, which is supposed to improve soil fertility and increase water and nutrient retention.
Exploring a Tree One Cell at a Time
Michael Knoblauch, a plant cell biologist, is seeking to prove the longstanding hypothesis that what drives the flow of nutrients in the phloem of plants is pressure differential. Proving the hypothesis is more than an academic exercise. Fully understanding how plants function could lead to improvements in crop yields or resistance to pests and disease.
About
The Global Food and Agriculture Program aims to inform the development of US policy on global agricultural development and food security by raising awareness and providing resources, information, and policy analysis to the US Administration, Congress, and interested experts and organizations.
The Global Food and Agriculture Program is housed within the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. The Council on Global Affairs convenes leading global voices and conducts independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business, and governments engage the world.
Support for the Global Food and Agriculture Program is generously provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As part of the "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Justin Oberman of Till Mobile discusses the use of mobile technology to get farmers access to real time supply chain data.
In the latest piece from the Agri-Pulse and Council on Global Affairs column series, Alesha Black, director of Global Food and Agriculture, discusses the Council's latest report and the investment opportunities presented by food system growth.
Catherine Bertini, distinguished fellow of global agriculture at the Council and former cochair of the Council’s Global Food and Agriculture Program, will be inducted into the Cortland County Hall of Fame.
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Shenggen Fan of IFPRI and Andrew Steer of WRI discuss measures that can be taken to reduce global food waste.
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Faustine Wabwire of Bread for the World discusses the need for stakeholder coordination to end hunger.
Council senior fellow Michael Tiboris discusses the impacts of urbanization, agricultural growth, and climate change on global water availability as part of the "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series.
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Emmy Simmons of AGree discusses the need for investment to prevent risk throughout the food system.
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, non-resident senior fellow Alex Winter-Nelson describes the important role of land-grant universities in facilitating food system resilience.
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Katharine Kreis and Peiman Milani of PATH discuss innovations to create sustainable and resilient food value chains.
The latest post in our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series discusses the need to build supply chain resilience to climate change and resource scarcity.
