Sustainability/Climate Change
Food production needs are expected to roughly double over the next 35 years as the world population grows and people in under developed countries become more affluent and demand more calories. Healthy ecosystems are vital to the survival of all organisms. How can we grow crops without harming the environment? How can we balance technology and global food security? What is the right balance of organic and conventional farming? What role can genetics and biotechnology play without compromising the needs of tomorrow?
Below is the complete archive of related articles sorted by date.
Infographic: Pesticide use on arable land between 2005 – 2009
In a world of humanmade chemicals, pesticides are second only to fertilizer in the amount applied and the extent of ...
French geneticist warns ‘new religion of precaution’ threatens US GMO policy, science
Since the first cargo of genetically modified soybeans was delivered to Europe 20 years ago, scientists have come under fire ...
Talking Biotech: Illinois’ Stephen Long on tweaking photosynthesis to help crop yields, climate
Illinois’ Stephen Long on how tweaking photosynthesis could help yields and our climate ...
Talking Biotech: Florida’s Kevin Folta on anti-GMO groups scaring consumers about glyphosate in foods
Florida’s Kevin Folta on anti-GMO groups scaring consumers about glyphosate in foods ...
Data analytics could increase agricultural productivity, sustainability
Twenty years from now, the most important tool for putting food on your table won’t be a harvester, combine or ...
Could genetically engineered plants save us from global warming?
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising, triggering global climate change, scientists agree. Researchers have been searching for ways to scrub ...
American Council on Science and Health fact sheet in response to GMO, biotechnology critics
Recently, a concerned group of pro-science scholars contacted American Council on Science and Health because they wanted to counter the ...
Could genetic tinkering with plant photosynthesis increase global food supply?
A decade ago, agricultural scientists at the University of Illinois suggested a bold approach to improve the food supply: tinker ...
GMOs and carbon fixation: Trapping CO2 in engineered plants and trees to convert it to energy
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may outgrow Frankenfood production. Soon, they may take over Frankenfixation, the industrial conversion of atmospheric carbon ...
Hawaii counties cannot impose local safety bans on GMOs and pesticides, federal court rules
Monsanto, Syngenta and other seed companies that farm in Hawaii won a significant victory after a federal appeals court ruled ...
Talking Biotech: Florida’s Kevin Folta debunks claims of glyphosate in food; Oregon State’s Shaun Townsend uses genetics to breed more flavorful beer hops
Florida’s Kevin Folta debunks glyphosate in food claims; Oregon State’s Shaun Townsend uses genetics to breed more flavorful beer hops ...
What are the benefits and concerns about GMOs?
As the population increases, there is an ever-greater need for increases in crop yields on the same amount of land ...
India poised to greenlight GM mustard, but skeptics could still derail it
It can increase yield by a third, and put up to Rs 500 crore ($150 million) in farmers’ pockets. However, ...
Mars candy to publish genetic maps to improve nutrition from traditional African crops
A multi-million dollar research group co-founded by the confectionery company Mars is set to publish the genetic maps to five traditional ...
British oilseed rape farmers face beetle infestation after government rejects neonics emergency request
In light of the rejection of their emergency use application last spring to use neonicotinoid seed dressings on autumn oilseed ...
Bacteria could transform trees into industrial chemical scrubbers
Hacking trees by adding bacteria to their roots could help scrub contaminated soil clean of chemicals and metals from industrial ...
Cause for concern over claims of “dangerous” glyphosate in wine, breast milk, cereal, etc.?
There is far less reason to worry about the 'dangers' of glyphosate when compared to other pesticide but many activists ...
Is the herbicide glyphosate, often paired with GMOs, especially dangerous?
Why do advocacy groups campaign against the herbicide glyphosate and not other far more toxic agricultural pesticides? ...
Chile’s GMO schizophrenia: It exports seeds and imports crops, but doesn’t allow cultivation
Chile has a surprising export crop: seeds. It is currently the fifth largest seed producer worldwide, and the first in the production of genetically ...
EPA approves field trials of disease-resistant GMO citrus trees
The Environmental Protection Agency announced ... that it has given major Florida citrus grower Southern Gardens approval for large-scale field testing ...
Changing minds on GMOs, global warming: More information may not be enough
Because there is often a gap between science and public opinion, there is a need to better understand what factors ...
Organics v conventional v GMOs: Debate grows over farm yields and sustainability
Dubious research supports claims that organic systems can close the yield gap with conventional (and GMO) farming. Obsession with organic ...
How weeds can help with weed control
Farmers looking to reduce reliance on pesticides, herbicides and other pest management tools may want to heed the advice of ...
Millennials’ demand for organics ripples through supply chain
Co-packers should be concerned, along with distributors, farmers and even, heck, grain elevator operators. Their worlds are incrementally turning upside ...
Should organic agriculture consider allowing gene-edited crops?
Proponents of agricultural biotechnology are calling for a reconsideration of the organic opposition to GMOs in light of [New Plant ...
Boulder farmers criticize ‘rushed, incomplete’ plan to phase out GMO crops
[In March, Boulder County, CO Comissioners decided to ban cultivation of GMO crops on county-owned farmland. The following is an excerpt from ...
Food companies may go ‘non-GMO’ for marketing reasons
[Editor's Note: The author of this excerpt, Shiloh Perry, is a communications assistant for the American Farm Bureau] Companies often make ...
