Photo Credit: James Rickwood
Roger Nelson grew up on a farm and went out on his own to begin renting farmland in 1961. He and his family have continued their farming and had a reputation in their community of meticulous and ethical farming practices throughout the years. Their reputation, however, is now being tarnished as Monsanto (the world’s leading producer of the herbicide Roundup Ready and owner to most of the food seed companies around the world) is accusing the Nelsons of being thieves of their genetically modified soybeans. The Nelsons are among the hundreds of farmers Monsanto is suing, usually on the grounds of patent infringement. However, growers have begun to fight back in the courts, as they say Monsanto has no evidence of this claim. Read more…
Photo Credit: Tom Adriaenssen
January 1st marked the beginning of the end to the use of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA). The chemical is used in many common household products including clear, plastic water bottles, baby bottles, some re-usable food containers and plastic wraps. While BPA is one of the most frequently produced chemicals produced in the world, there has been an increase in research studies demonstrating the serious health concerns surrounding the chemical. BPA has been found to be linked to cancer, heart disease, obesity, reproductive failures and hyperactivity in laboratory animals. It is a hormone-disrupting chemical and as such can have health effects at extremely low exposure levels. Read more…
Photo Credit: Juan Rubiano
With the Copenhagen climate change conference on the horizon, it is critical to be conscious of the ways you contribute to global greenhouse gasses. Hopefully you are well aware that the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as deforestation and various agricultural and industrial practices, are altering the composition of the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. But did you know that even your diet might be contributing to rising global temperatures? Read more…
Photo Credit: Simone Berna
The EU has taken huge strides in limiting Genetically Modified crops by rejecting their use for over a decade. In fact, in March, 2008 it was found that almost 60% of the EU population opposed the use of GMOs in agriculture. The Irish agree with this ban and aim to keep the island a GMO-free zone, off limits to any environmental release of GM seeds and crops. In doing so, they will see positive results in business, health and the environment.
By banning the use of these less than natural crops, Ireland has much to look forward to. Their livestock and human population will be protected; the landscape will escape the possibilities of invasion of GM superweeds (which will in turn protect farmers from GM patent infringement lawsuits); and will provide a competitive advantage on livestock and food exporters. Read more…
Ruth L
The next time you’re in the produce section in your favorite grocery store, take a look around. Bell peppers from Scandinavia, strawberries from California, bananas from Central America, apples from the Northwest…… The list goes on and on. As citizens of a highly developed nation, we have grown accustomed to having these novelty items at any given time of year. It seems that our peculiar taste preferences have had more of an affect than we know. It is estimated that the average food item in our grocery stores has traveled about 1,500 miles to get there, producing unnecessary carbon emissions for packaging, shipping, and refrigeration on the way to its destination. Read more…
The big corporations in our country seem to have a hand in everything and it’s definitely not a helping hand…unless, of course, it’s filled with money for lobbyists. This, unfortunately, is precisely what is happening with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic label. Because the organic food and beverage market is the fastest growing section of the food industry raking in $23 billion a year, much money can be made by simply boasting the USDA Organic label. So it’s no wonder that businesses are going to great lengths to secure this seal. Read more…
Well it’s not quite a ‘charge’ but that would be great if it was! Anyway, Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is a chemical that is widely used in plastic food containers, water bottles, and baby bottles despite the fact that it has been linked to several types of cancer as well as brain development and behavioral problems in young children in over 200 independent scientific studies! BPA is thought to leach into food and water when the plastic that contains the chemical is heated. Fortunately, the California State Senate approved a proposal last Tuesday that will ban the use of BPA in plastics. Read more…
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