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Newsletter
University research supports meat industry's image

University research supports meat industry's image

University researchers are helping meat producers improve their public image through funded research.

Grace van Deelen reports for Vox.

In short:

  • The National Pork Board funds the Real Pork Trust Consortium to counter negative perceptions of the pork industry.
  • Historically, land-grant universities have partnered with the agriculture industry to boost productivity, now focusing on addressing environmental impacts while maintaining industry growth.
  • Critics argue these partnerships prioritize industry profits over public and environmental health.

Key quote:

"It's sort of like increasing public trust in coal mining-based energy production, lead-based paint manufacturing, leaded fuel-dependent transportation, asbestos-dependent construction methods, or DDT-based pest control."

— Crystal Heath, veterinarian and founder of animal advocacy nonprofit Our Honor

Why this matters:

Industry-funded research at universities can bias scientific inquiries toward profit-driven goals, potentially compromising public and environmental health. While research can lead to improvements in livestock farming practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving animal welfare, and ensuring safer food products, critics argue that industry-funded research might downplay the negative impacts of meat production and promote findings that favor the sponsors.

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plastic bottles

Plastic industry's emissions threaten global carbon limits

By mid-century, emissions from plastic production are set to triple, significantly impacting the global carbon budget, a new report suggests.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

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pump jacks

Canada's fossil fuel dilemma contrasts with climate goals, report reveals

Canada ranks with leading fossil fuel producers set to exceed oil and gas extraction limits, challenging global warming targets, a fresh analysis indicates.

Benjamin Shingler reports for the CBC.


In short:

  • UN-backed study shows Canada's oil and gas output at odds with 1.5 C warming limit.
  • Despite the Paris Agreement, fossil fuel production is set to double by 2030.
  • Calls are intensifying for investment in clean energy and reduced fossil fuel reliance.

Key quote:

"We find that many governments are promoting fossil gas as an essential 'transition' fuel but with no apparent plans to transition away from it later."

— Ploy Achakulwisut, Stockholm Environment Institute

Why this matters:

The report highlights a stark contrast between climate aspirations and fossil fuel realities, with health and environmental stakes climbing. It's a national issue with global echoes, emphasizing the urgent need for energy policy shifts.

EHN has reported previous findings that fossil fuels represent a two-pronged attack on the health of children; reducing their use would provide significant economic and health benefits.

Question for the reader:

How should industrialized nations balance economic interests in fossil fuels with its climate commitments?

AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.

pump jacks
Pixabay

Despite climate pledges, Canada and other fossil fuel producers set to scale up production

Canada is among a group of top fossil fuel-producing countries that are on pace to extract more oil and gas than would be consistent with agreed-upon targets designed to limit global warming, according to a new report released by the United Nations.
oil production
Image by Anita starzycka from Pixabay

US oil production hits all-time high, hindering efforts to combat greenhouse gases

Associated Press writer Seth Borenstein reports that United States domestic oil production has hit an all-time high, conflicting with U.S. and international actions to reduce carbon emissions.

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Newsletter
meat food farming agriculture
Photo by Diego San on Unsplash

Pig cooling pads and weather forecasts for cows are high-tech ways to make meat in a warming world

More than a third of the heat-trapping gases cooking the planet come from growing and raising food, but millions of cattle, pigs and other animals get to stay cool in the United States and the rest of the developed world.
big oil fossil fuels energy climate

Big oil quietly walks back on climate pledges as global heat records tumble

Energy firms have made record profits by increasing production of oil and gas, far from their promises of rolling back emissions.

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