A Surprising Ally in the Battle against Climate Change: Dirt
Earth’s soils represent a potential storehouse for billions of tons of greenhouse gases, a vital addition to our arsenal for combating climate change, according to new research. Agricultural soils can be made to capture even more greenhouse gases than they emit, making them "net mitigating."
Harnessing the Power of the Private Sector to Fight a Growing ‘Double Burden’
At first glance, it may seem that malnutrition, obesity, and diabetes have little in common, but in many cases they are linked. It’s no surprise then that developing countries are increasingly struggling to fight a growing “double burden,” both of stunting and undernourishment on one hand, and obesity and diabetes on the other. It’s also an example of a problem for which working closely with the private sector is critical if we are to find a sustainable, widespread, and lasting solution.
How Colorado Is Turning Food Waste into Electricity
A new facility known as the Heartland Biogas Project is taking wasted food from Colorado's most populous areas and turning it into electricity. Through a technology known as anaerobic digestion, spoiled milk, old pet food, and vats of grease combine with helpful bacteria in massive tanks to generate gas. Methane is captured, sent into an interstate pipeline, and used to generate electricity.
Is There Wood Pulp In That Parmesan? How Scientists Sniff out Food Fraud
It's tough to know what exactly is in our food. Wal-Mart’s been sued for stocking tubs of Parmesan cheese that contained wood-pulp. And you might recall the great European horse meat scandal of 2014: Traces of horse meat were found in Ikea meatballs, Burger King beef patties, and in frozen lasagna all over Europe. However, the Institute for Global Food Security is a laboratory in Northern Ireland that’s trying to uncover fraud by testing foods from all over the world.
31 Indigenous Crops Promoting Health and Contributing to Food Security
Since the beginning of the 20th century, some 75% of plant genetic diversity has been lost, but restoring interest and investment in indigenous crops may offer a solution to food insecurity and the loss of biodiversity. Some traditional plant varieties can help improve nutrition and health, improve local economies, create resilience to climate change, revitalize agricultural biodiversity, and help preserve tradition and culture.