Much of the Western United States is currently under severe “megadrought” conditions that some speculate could turn into the next dust bowl. Lack of precipitation is causing farmers to be cut off from irrigation supplies, which means no water for crops and eventually no food in the grocery store – not to mention bankruptcies and other associated … Continue reading MEGADROUGHT: Is a new dust bowl on the way?
Despite record-breaking drought conditions, California officials are draining reservoirs
The Golden State is entering yet another severe dry season and the state government is responding by draining all the reservoirs and dumping all that precious fresh water straight into the ocean. Shocking new reports indicate that over the past several weeks, the California State Water Board has routed at least 90 percent of Delta inflow right … Continue reading Despite record-breaking drought conditions, California officials are draining reservoirs
Food prices skyrocketing on soaring agriculture futures as prices for lumber, gas and other commodities climb amid lingering pandemic
In recent months, tens of millions of Americans have noticed another fallout from the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic: Higher prices for the goods they purchase most often, including food. Now for the really bad news: Things aren’t likely to improve anytime soon and in fact are probably going to get worse. That is especially true for … Continue reading Food prices skyrocketing on soaring agriculture futures as prices for lumber, gas and other commodities climb amid lingering pandemic
Indigenous communities are tackling food security and protecting the environment by saving seeds
The Wuhan coronavirus pandemic has upended the global food supply chain, revealing a fragile global food system strained in large part by agrochemical companies’ privatization of seeds. But at the same time, it’s also showed how seed banks can help combat hunger in times of crisis. Indigenous seed banks, in particular, may have a key role to play in addressing global … Continue reading Indigenous communities are tackling food security and protecting the environment by saving seeds
Pesticide “ghosts” can haunt organic farms for decades
Most commercial crops grown around the world are treated with pesticides. But some farms are now switching to organic practices to avoid the risks that pesticides pose to human and environmental health. However, new research shows that past pesticide use can still “haunt” fields that have long been converted into organic farms. Published recently in Environmental Science and … Continue reading Pesticide “ghosts” can haunt organic farms for decades
Drought-resistant cactus pear could become a sustainable food and fuel source, new research shows
Cactus pears could become a sustainable source of food and fuel in places in need of these two resources. Those are the findings of a recent study by researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno. Published in the journal GCB Bioenergy, the study covered five years of research. The group had set out to look at how successful different varieties of cactus pear would … Continue reading Drought-resistant cactus pear could become a sustainable food and fuel source, new research shows
Nearly one-third of global agricultural land at high risk of pesticide pollution, study reveals
Pesticides are heavily used in conventional farms to protect food crops. But according to a recent study, about a third of global farmland today is at high risk of pesticide pollution. Published Monday in Nature Geoscience, the study revealed that Asia houses the largest land areas that face an increased risk of pesticide pollution in countries like China, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines. Furthermore, … Continue reading Nearly one-third of global agricultural land at high risk of pesticide pollution, study reveals
Over 250 million people faced food insecurity in 2020 amid pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic that rocked the globe last March has since dramatically altered the global economy, society and even humans’ very perception of time. Worse, it has driven up to 265 million people to the brink of starvation. Writing for the nonprofit organization Truthout, Johannesburg-based journalist Robin Scher drew from recent reports to shed light on food insecurity amid the … Continue reading Over 250 million people faced food insecurity in 2020 amid pandemic
Meat prices rise as food inflation worsens, pushing many Americans to a tipping point of food shortages
The coronavirus pandemic has severely tested global supply chains like no other event in recent world history, resulting in large shocks to both demand and supply. And it’s only about to get worse. According to a report from Bloomberg, hog, cattle and poultry raisers are struggling amidst the highest prices of corn and soybean that they have seen … Continue reading Meat prices rise as food inflation worsens, pushing many Americans to a tipping point of food shortages
EPA approves use of toxic pesticide previously banned for use on citrus
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Jan. 12 that it approved the use of aldicarb, a toxic pesticide it had banned in 2010, and the antibiotic streptomycin on Florida’s citrus plants. The decision allows 100,000 acres of citrus groves to be treated with 2.5 million pounds of aldicarb, which has been banned in over 100 countries. It is also the only … Continue reading EPA approves use of toxic pesticide previously banned for use on citrus
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 