food production
Healthy soil may be easier to detect by sound than by sight
Ever thought about listening to the soil under your feet? New research reveals that the sounds of soil-dwelling critters can indicate the health of the land, offering a new way to monitor and restore ecosystems.
In short:
- Ecoacoustics, the study of environmental sounds, can be used to monitor soil health by detecting the presence and diversity of underground organisms.
- Researchers found that soils with richer soundscapes, indicating more biodiversity, are healthier and less degraded.
- Scientists are exploring whether playing recordings of healthy soil sounds can aid in the restoration of degraded lands.
Key quote:
“You can actually use sound to listen to the soil, and get an indication of soil health, based on the little critters moving around.”
— Jake Robinson, microbial ecologist at Flinders University
Why this matters:
This method is groundbreaking, not just for the science community but for anyone concerned about the environment. Healthy soils are the bedrock of agriculture, climate stability, and even human health. Read more: Growing veggies in the city this year? You may want to check your soil.
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A Michigan court ruling may reshape how animal waste is regulated
A recent Michigan Supreme Court decision could drastically change how the state — and possibly others — regulates pollution from industrial animal farms.
Keith Schneider reports for Circle of Blue and The New Lede.
In short:
- Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) now has the authority to enforce stricter manure management practices for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
- The ruling is seen as a significant win for environmental advocates, who hope it will set a precedent for stronger regulations nationwide.
- CAFO waste, which contains harmful chemicals and bacteria, has been a major source of water pollution in Michigan and other states.
Key quote:
"This is a rare win for water protection."
— Sam Carpenter, executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council
Why this matters:
With this ruling, there’s hope that we might finally see a shift toward more sustainable and responsible farming practices that protect both our environment and our health. It's a win for clean water, and a wake-up call for an industry that’s been polluting unchecked for far too long.
Read more: Peak Pig: Our series on the fight for the soul of rural America
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Newsletter
Indoor farming: a climate solution with hidden dangers for workers
Greenhouse workers face extreme heat and humidity, risking their health in structures designed to protect plants, not people.
Melina Walling and Dorany Pineda report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Greenhouse and nursery workers are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, leading to heat-related illnesses.
- These workers lack adequate protections and breaks, making them vulnerable to heat stress, dizziness, and other health issues.
- Efforts to include greenhouses in indoor agriculture solutions need to account for better worker protections and enforcement.
Key quote:
"Many times we don’t leave to cool off for a short while. It’s not because we wouldn’t want to do it, but because we’re scared that they would dismiss us."
— Eulalia Mendoza, former greenhouse worker.
Why this matters:
This isn't just a labor issue; it's an environmental and public health crisis. With regulators slow to adapt and industry leaders often prioritizing profit over people, greenhouse workers are left in a perilous bind. Read more: “Dehumanizing” conditions for Michigan farmworkers.
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Top Story
Politicians avoid discussing climate change during Indian elections
As India’s general elections approach, voters are facing climate-related hardships that politicians largely ignore.
In short:
- Extreme heat and drought in Maharashtra state have left farmers struggling, with no substantial political focus on environmental issues.
- Increased cyclones along India’s eastern coasts have caused significant damage and deaths, with locals frustrated by unfulfilled political promises.
- Floods in Assam state are worsening, leaving residents on river islands vulnerable and dissatisfied with political inaction.
Key quote:
“Politicians are only talking about religion and caste. No one is talking about the environment or farmers' issues.”
— Vaibhav Maske, farmer in Maharashtra
Why this matters:
Ignoring climate change in political discourse undermines efforts to address its severe impacts on health, livelihoods, and regional stability. Effective policies are needed to protect communities from increasingly extreme weather events. Read more: Sabah Usmani on making cities healthy and just.
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New ideas shed light on addressing climate issues
Environmental scientist Hannah Ritchie discusses how technological advances could lead to a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges.
In short:
- Clean energy technology is making strides, providing a hopeful outlook for sustainable development.
- The environmental impact of livestock farming highlights the importance of finding solutions for food production that align with sustainability goals.
- The politics of implementing large-scale climate initiatives remain complex and challenging, but progress in technology is opening doors to potential solutions.
Key quote:
"These are tractable problems. They’re not easy problems. They’re really, really difficult to tackle, but they’re tractable."
— Hannah Ritchie, lead researcher at Our World in Data.
Why this matters:
Innovations in clean energy and agriculture will play a significant role in shaping a sustainable future, but the road ahead will require cooperation, determination, and effective policy. Read more: The global food system is failing small-scale farmers — here’s how to fix it.
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Newsletter
EU's farming funding heavily favors animal agriculture, study finds
A recent study reveals the European Union's agricultural subsidies disproportionately favor animal farming over plant cultivation, posing environmental challenges.
In short:
- The EU's Common Agriculture Policy allocates four times more public money to animal farming than to plants, impacting climate goals.
- Livestock farming's inefficiency is spotlighted by its higher land use for protein production compared to plants.
- Despite reforms, a significant portion of subsidies still supports environmentally harmful practices.
Key quote:
"We're incentivizing the worst-case scenario."
— Paul Behrens, environmental change researcher at Leiden University
Why this matters:
The emphasis on animal agriculture plays a significant role in influencing climate change, primarily due to its substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and contribution to deforestation. This sector is one of the largest contributors to environmental issues that affect climate change.
As the plant-based and cell-cultured "meat" industry grows, policymakers are increasingly looking to influence labelling — which could shape consumer acceptance.
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Newsletter
Navigating the complex waters of ocean protection and profit
The United Nations High Seas Treaty aims to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, focusing on areas beyond national jurisdiction, yet its effectiveness is debated.
In short:
- The treaty creates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to regulate activities like fishing and drilling but faces criticism for not fully prohibiting them.
- It seeks equitable sharing of ocean resources and a regulated ocean economy, aiming to balance profit with conservation.
- Critics argue that current MPA guidelines allow exploitative activities, questioning the true conservation value of these areas.
Key quote:
“The most important thing we take from the oceans is our existence. If you like to breathe, you’ll listen up.”
— Sylvia Earle, marine biologist and explorer
Why this matters:
The future of the world's oceans—and by extension, our planet—is at a critical juncture, with our ocean's role in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation at odds with unchecked exploitation. In the decades following the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, conservation goals and commercial interests remain at odds.
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