In 1980 The Ecologist published an iconic Special Edition' devoted to the multi-use 'wonder crop' hemp. 34 years on, Thomas Prade finds the case for industrial hemp is as strong as ever.
… Hemp - the energy and industrial crop of the future? … 2014 Comment Hemp Biofuels Biodiesel Farming Energy hemp-field.png In 1980 The Ecologist … for industrial hemp is as strong as ever. Bioenergy is currently the fastest growing source …
Biogas digesters are a key technology for global sustainable development, writes John M. Hawdon. They simultaneously combat parasites that infect a billion people, reduce deforestation and methane emissions, and deliver vital energy to rural communities.
… Biogas - the global green solution for health, energy, environment John M. Hawdon | 8th May 2014 Comment Health Energy Climate Change Forests Farming … and methane emissions, and deliver vital energy to rural communities. Soil transmitted …
Britain's favourite tipple faces big challenges over coming decades, writes Ann-Marie Brouder. A new report sets out the challenges and proposes sustainable solutions to keep the 'cup that cheers' on the nation's tables.
… towards 'zero-deforestation' commitments. Energy demand three times more than steel Some … are of its own making. Take resources: water, energy, phosphorous and pesticide use are all … the tea industry itself. Tea growing is not energy intensive but tea processing is: …
The Government has let down Britain with its repeated failures to seize the opportunities of green growth, healthy local food, better housing, environmental protection - and is instead pinning all its hopes on flawed, outmoded ideologies that betray our futures.
… and build businesses in renewable energy and energy generation - leaving behind a policy … th out of 28 th in Europe for percentage of energy generated from renewables. Well - at …
Could London, New York and other cities be self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables? Yes, writes Rachel Dring, by converting wasted roof space into gardens and greenhouses. Benefits include reducing waste; raising energy efficiency, sustainability and food security; and healthier, more connected citizens.
… Benefits include reducing waste; raising energy efficiency, sustainability and food … the food. Tiana also soon discovered their energy bills are 40% cheaper due to the … this system requires a fraction of the energy and water of conventional open-air …
GM crops may benefit agribusiness, writes Andrew Adam-Bradford. But they offer little to Africa or the millions of farming communities that feed the continent. Rather than impose corporate 'solutions', governments should invest in indigenous agro-ecological farming.
… work behind it all. Agroecology - conserving energy, water, nutrients The main ideas within … agriculture are the conservation of energy and the use of renewable resources. …
In the lead-up to tonight's Earth Hour one organisation is putting the creative community on the front lines of the battle for climate change. Rebecca Cooke reports on the remarkable series of 29 posters to provoke and intrigue us into climate action.
… March 2014 Ethical Living Climate Change Arts Energy Transport Farming dtgt-school-run.png … carbon emissions though walking and promoting energy efficiency through turning off … sustainable future. Rebecca Cooke is an energy, environment and foreign affairs …
As millions join in climate marches and other actions around the world, writes Ronnie Cummins, the 'mainstream' focus on energy is missing the 55% of emissions that come from mismanaged land and destroyed forests. The key is to replace industrial agriculture worldwide with productive, regenerative organic farming that puts carbon back in the soil.
… Ronnie Cummins, the 'mainstream' focus on energy is missing the 55% of emissions that … warming. So here's a few facts: Chemical and energy-intensive, GMO, industrial food and … global warming means putting an end to the energy-intensive, chemical-intensive, …
A new GM bacterium can produce bioethanol from coarse switchgrass, rather than using food crops like maize, writes Tim Radford. It does this by 'digesting' the tough cellulose that yeasts are unable to break down.
… to afford enough food. The conversion of energy-rich corn or sugar cane to biofuels is … scale, the most reliable supplies of liquid energy at the most cost-effective rate. So …
If you don't want industrial agriculture ravaging the world to feed cities nutrient-deprived, genetically modified, chemical-drenched pap, here's an alternative, writes Matt Bevington: let cities grow their own fresh produce on 'vertical farms' in disused industrial buildings, restoring sustainability and accountability to the food chain.
… concept to scale-up, primarily due to high energy costs. However, advances in the … of LED lighting have significantly reduced energy requirements. "Phillips Lighting … that anybody's going to have to spend on energy." More efficient LED lighting emits …
Canada's biggest infrastructure project is planned for Peace Valley, BC - a gigantic $7.9 billion dam that would flood 83 kilometres of the Peace River - all to produce electricity that no one needs. But a coalition of farmers, ranchers and First Nations is determined to block it ...
… time has come to realize that it's a decent energy, but it's a thing of the past." Now, 47 … either look to conservation or other forms of energy. It's so archaic. Building this dam … to speak, but did not attend. Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett has said he has …
The world is facing the imminent threat of severe climate disruption from the warming Arctic, write Robert & Jack Hunziker, leading to a global crisis. But the response of the powerful is only to increase fossil fuel exploitation - and damn the consequences.
… policies to convert fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. As such, the US could have led … world to conversion to renewable sources of energy. As things stand, it is a 'missed … contrast to America's reluctance, Scotland's energy sources are already 40% renewables and …
Oxfam's report 'Standing on the Sidelines' lays down a challenge to the 'Big 10' of the global food industry, writes Julia Wright. They must cut their huge carbon emissions, campaign to protect global climate, and rethink their entire mission to encompass health and wellbeing.
… absent in a debate dominated by players from energy and biofuel industries" , states the … more progressive, more equitable, and cleaner energy and food policies. "In the fight for …
Modern technology has a lot to offer small farmers in poor countries, writes Tony Juniper - just not the GMOs and pesticides that are widely touted. But how about film, digital communications and smart phones? These new media can empower farmers and allow them to share knowledge and experience of how to produce more, from less.
… than being based on strategies to import energy intensive inputs. David Monsma , … Executive Director at the Aspen Institute 's Energy and Environment Programme, emphasised … than being based on strategies to import energy intensive inputs. …
Farming should not only sustain people with healthy food, writes Jigmi Y. Thinley. If humans are to survive on Earth, it must also revitalise nature and sustain vital planetary systems, instead of poisoning and over-exploiting them. And to do that farming must be organic.
… come to rely on this fast depleting source of energy as a consequence of dependence on its … sensitive to weather events. International Energy Agency (IEA) in its annual report … natural resources - "food, fresh water, soil, energy, and biodiversity-are being polluted, …
With supermarket milk cheaper than spring water, it's time to rethink the modern dairy industry. It's not just the milk that's become a throwaway product - the high-octane Holstein cows that produce it are also in the knackers yard after just two or three lactations, the living waste of a loss-making, environment-trashing industry.
… of Holstein cows involves consumption of energy and protein far beyond the levels … of Holstein cows involves consumption of energy and protein far beyond the levels …
How we feed ourselves sits at the crux of all human affairs, writes Joanna Wright - the health of our bodies and communities. Far too important to leave to industrial farms and processors, it's something we can all begin to do for ourselves.
… Since then, I've invested most of my time, energy and money in learning the language of … ourselves. All biological organisms take in energy, develop, and expend 'waste', which …
The dominant story about the future of the world food supply is logical, well known and widely disseminated, writes Jonathan Foley. It is also completely wrong.
… me of when some politicians have talked about energy policy in the past, and yelled "Drill, … mindset, it's all about supplying more - more energy, more crops, more whatever. What's …
As the US and EU apply sanctions on Russia over its annexation' of Crimea, JP Sottile reveals the corporate annexation of Ukraine. For Cargill, Chevron, Monsanto, there's a gold mine of profits to be made from agri-business and energy exploitation.
… of profits to be made from agri-business and energy exploitation. On 12th January 2014, a …
Las Casitas is a small community living on the edge of one of the world's largest coal mines, writes Richard Solly - one inhabited by the descendants of escaped slaves, located in the poorest region of Colombia. The village is under imminent threat of forced displacement by the brutal corporation that runs the Cerrejón coal mine.
… Richard Solly | 3rd December 2014 News Coal Energy Corporations Farming Human Rights …
Sustainable, agriculture must be low-input - and this can only achieved in diverse, tightly integrated agro-ecological systems. The real future of farming lies in complex polycultures ... in short, mixed farming.
… tidal power around the edges) provide all the energy that's needed. Efficiency means …
Advocates of Golden Rice - a GMO rice that produces Vitamin A - present the debate over its use a clear moral choice with only one possible conclusion. But as Clare Westwood writes, the reality is very different ...
… 10g of butter, providing 23% of the dietary energy. A 'lunch' meal contained 15g of corn … nuts - and the fat provided 40% of dietary energy. This relatively high fat (and meat) …
A flood of smallholders that have benefited from Zimbabwe's land reform are turning to tobacco as their crop of choice, reports Ray Mwareya. But the economic gains are coming at a terrible cost - the accelerating destruction of the country's forests.
… every year. Flue-cured tobacco is highly energy-intensive, requiring intense heat to …
First corporations gained legal personhood, writes Don Fitz. Next they seized the right to force 'free trade' on unwilling populations. Now they are making sure that 'corporate rights' trump citizen rights - like the right to wholesome food and a healthy environment. That's where the 'Right to Farm' constitutional amendments come in ...
… reads: "That agriculture which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the … by increasing economic instability and an energy exhaustion that allows expanded …