Wednesday, June 22, 2005

[Sustainable agriculture] Organic farming in developing countries The Food and Agriculture Association (FOA) of the United Nations released a report in 2002 summarizing agricultural projections over the next thirty years. One of the most encouraging aspects of the report was the clear potential for developing countries to hold comparative advantage in the burgeoning market for organic agriculture. Anyone who has driven past a Whole Foods empire recently doesn't need to be reminded that there is an increasing demand for organic food products and a subsequent shortfall of supply. Organic food sales are growing at 15 to 30 percent a year in industrial nations and demand is expected to continue growing even faster in the coming years. How have farmers in developing countries responded to this opportunity? In February of this year, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) presented a series of studies focusing on China, India and Latin America. They concluded that farmers in developing countries who switch to organic agriculture achieve higher earnings and a better standard of living. Not only that, organic farming also reduces health risks posed by costly chemical pesticides and fertilizers while benefiting the environment with improved soil management. Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that organic farming's labor intensive techniques provide much-needed employment opportunities. This increases revenue overall in rural areas because growth in the incomes of farmers and farm laborers creates an increased demand for goods and services like tools, blacksmithing, carpentry, clothes, processed food bought from roadside kiosks, and so on. Due to infrastructure problems, these goods and services are often difficult to trade over long distances so they tend to be produced and provided locally thereby creating even more employment and alleviating poverty. The FOA report in 2002 reported that between one-third and two-thirds of income increases in rural areas of Africa were spent on such local goods and services. All of this development acts as a counterweight to the alarmingly high rates of urban migration and the growth of urban slums around the world's "megacities". Despite promising beginnings, studies show that organic farmers must have access to technical and market information on organic production if they want to increase earnings. They also need secure land tenure if they are expected to undertake the long process of conversion to organic standards. Perhaps most important are measures to remove trade subsidies in the industrial nations. Watch for more from the World Bank on this one... Still, it's pretty exciting to think that the second green revolution could be much greener and, for local food providers, much more sustainable. It makes us dream even bigger for the third.... [Z+Blog!] 10:41:58 AM Google It!    [Science and art] Boring and stupid "Science is boring. Art is Stupid. Prove us wrong..." So says the introduction to Princeton's Art of Science Competition. Members of the Princeton University community were asked to submit imagery produced in the course of research or by incorporating tools and concepts from science. More than 200 entries from nearly 100 individuals in 15 departments were ultimately sent in. The 55 finalists are on display in a stunning online gallery. [Z+Blog!] 10:40:42 AM Google It!    [Meetings] Getting the Kids Involved in Canada Via sustainablog: Thanks to Laura Tozer for notifying me about the Youth Climate Change Conference - YC3 in British Columbia, July 3-6. This sounds like a fantastic event: The Canadian Youth Climate Change Conference (‘YC3’) is a youth-led initiative, focused on action, alternatives, and solutions for a changing world: We are bringing together pioneering leaders in climate change and sustainability with youth from across Canada and the world, for a call to action creating long lasting positive effects. YC3 will give youth the skills, support structure, and empowerment to lead the challenge of climate change. If you're interested, you can register as an online delegate (regular registration appears to be over). Ought to be an invigorating experience! 10:19:02 AM Google It!    [Solar energy] Solar-Powered Wine From Treehugger, news of several California wineries making the switch to solar power. Between state grants and the inevitable savings on power, these vinters are finding that they can recoup the rather large initial outlays in as few as eight years. One of these wineries, Shafer Vinyards, is also making the move to organic agriculture along with their solar venture, so you can raise a glass of one of their vintages and know that your wine isn't just red or white -- it's also green. [sustainablog] 10:17:42 AM Google It!    [Energy policy] Sen. Domenici Acknowledges Climate Change Via sustainablog: This is potentially huge: according to this ABC News article, The U.S. Senate's top Republican energy bill negotiator, risking a break with the White House over the global warming issue, on Friday said the United States must act to curb heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, "is convinced that the science now indicates that climate change is occurring and we need to do something about it," said his energy advisor Alex Flint. The stance is contrary to the Bush Administration's opposition to mandatory measures. Domenici supports recommendations by the National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) for a mandatory cap-and-trade system starting in 2010, Flint said. Now, let me qualify that "huge" statement above. While Domenici's shift could "change the calculus for Senate action on climate change," to my knowledge he's still shepherding that god-awful energy bill through the Senate. And why wait until 2010 to start a cap-and-trade requirement? It's good to see someone like Domenici going outside of the White House's do-nothing position, but should we really do something? Via Eco-Portal. 10:16:45 AM Google It!    [Green building] Green Homes Central Via sustainablog: Thanks to Adventures in Ethical Consumerism for pointing out Green Homes for Sale, a website that lists (you guessed it) green homes for sale, as well as information on contractors, building products and green real estate professionals. Additionally, all of the pictures available on the site demonstrate that green doesn't mean lacking in aesthetic appeal. 10:14:01 AM Google It!    [Renewable energy] From Hardcore to Hybrid Via sustainablog: Though this Wired article is really old in blogger time (it's from May), I just got around to reading it and thought it was an excellent introduction to the "hygridder" lifestyle. Author Daniel Pink (of Free Agent Nation fame) describes the shift from the "hardcore" environmentalism of the '60s and '70s to the contemporary "hygridder" lifestyle in which environmental consciousness is readily incorporated into daily life without major sacrifices. One might be tempted to say Pink focuses on the rosiest sides of sustainable living, but it's great to have major consumer magazines demonstrating that the hygridding option is available to most of us now. It's still an expensive option, but if the types of people that Pink profiles continue to incorporate renewable features into their lives, that will change -- it already has... Via Trends I'm Watching. 10:12:38 AM Google It!    [Climate change] The Mayor of London Gets It, Too Via sustainablog: Also from the Guardian, news of an ambitious plan by London mayor Ken Livingstone to address climate change: The mayor of London will announce the creation of a green public-private partnership which will see senior politicians and business figures joining forces to devise and commercially market environmental initiatives. The mayor's scheme is based on pioneering municipal schemes developed in the Surrey town of Woking, where the local authority won a Queen's Award for Enterprise for local sustainable community energy systems... London's performance as a "green" city is crucial to the national and global effort to address climate change because of the capital's size and the fact that such a large population lives in such high densities. City businesses are also notorious contributors to the emission of greenhouse gases. As part of his energy strategy, Mr Livingstone has pledged to reduce London's emissions of carbon dioxide by 20% from the 1990 level by 2010. If I remember right, Livingstone is London's first elected mayor. Between this plan and the institution of congestion charges, Livingstone is showing that London's citizens chose well in electing an environmental steward. Via Eco-Portal. 10:11:28 AM Google It!    [Green lifestyle] Solar Power on the Go Via  sustainablog: Thanks to Jesse Gunderson at Treknologies for pointing me to their round-up of solar-powered battery chargers. Treknologies is devoted to the "adventuring" crowd, but these devices should come in really handy even if you're not scaling K2. More importantly, though, these devices demonstrate that the hygridder lifestyle is catching the attention of the consumer products manufacturers, and that solar power is becoming an increasingly flexible means of harnessing energy. 10:10:21 AM Google It!    [Sustainability] A New Sustainability Organization Via sustainablog: CSRWire has posted a press release announcing the Association of Sustainability Practitioners, a new organization that describes itself as a community designed to work like the natural systems around us. It is shaped by its membership, leadership is shared around, and it is based on strong social contracts between members involving both a commitment of time to each other and a disciplined approach to learning and review. While ASP isn't the first organization devoted to the subject, I'm already impressed that they understand that sustainability isn't just a concept that needs preaching, but also a organizational model. They've obviously incorporated the "learning organization" model into their mission, and I think that should make for a lively, productive community. 10:09:31 AM Google It!    [E-Waste] Canada's Electronic Waste Plagues China The Toronto Globe and Mail's Geoffrey York says Canada's electronic waste continues to be exported illegally to toxic dumping grounds in China years after the controversial shipments were uncovered, putting impoverished workers at risk, 6/20/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 10:07:38 AM Google It!    [Green chemistry] An Award-Winning Way To Turn Plants Into Plastic Tom Spencer of The Birmingham News reports a University of Alabama researcher has captured a coveted EPA award for discovering an environmentally friendly way to convert plants into plastics. It's a technology he and his team hope will help Alabama industry and decrease the nation's dependence on foreign oil, 6/20/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 10:06:17 AM Google It!    [Air pollution] Studies Link High Ozone To Increased Death Rates Three teams of researchers conducting separate studies conclude high ozone pollution is linked to higher death rates in cities around the world. Eric Nagourney of The New York Times reports, 6/21/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 10:05:02 AM Google It!    [E-Waste] High-Tech Recycling: It's a Trashy Future Are you getting ready to throw out an old computer, cell phone or printer cartridge? If you're interested, there are alternatives to relegating electronics to the trash heap, alternatives that could help schools, soldiers and victims of domestic violence, among others. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:01:23 AM Google It!    [Green chemistry] Novozymes Receives EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Award 2005 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present Novozymes, an Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) company with a 2005 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for employing enzymes to develop healthier fats and oils for use in margarine, baking and confectionery. [ENN Business Headlines] 10:00:48 AM Google It!    [Solar energy] In New Jersey, Solar Sells New Jersey will never replace Florida as the Sunshine State, but business leaders and government officials are hoping to make this the Solar State. [ENN Business Headlines] 9:59:40 AM Google It!    [Ecological footprint] Europe's Ecological Footprint A new report shows that Europe uses 20% of the biosphere's services to serve 7% of the world's population -- a resource demand that has risen nearly 70% since 1961. [Joel Makower: Two Steps Forward] 9:51:55 AM Google It!    [Corporate sustainability] First, Do No Harm A new body of research and activity suggests that toxics reduction and elimination may be a growing arena of regulatory, activist, customer, and shareholder interest. And as awareness increases of the business risks of toxics, whether real risks or perceived ones, companies lacking established policies and processes may find themselves subject to competitive pressures and new, more intensive levels of stakeholder scrutiny. [Joel Makower: Two Steps Forward] 9:51:22 AM Google It!    [Environmental health] WHO starts drive against environmental cancer risk GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday launched a drive to raise awareness of the risk of cancer, particularly to smokers, posed by uranium occurring naturally in the environment. [Reuters: Science] 9:41:33 AM Google It!    [Biofuels] Biofuel increasingly competitive if oil surge lasts PARIS (Reuters) - Biofuels would be increasingly competitive if crude oil prices, which are back near all-time highs, were to go beyond $60 a barrel, officials at the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. [Reuters: Science] 9:40:58 AM Google It!    [Energy policy] Vermont Sets Renewable Energy Requirement; Iowa Expands Tax Credits Through 2011, Vermont is requiring the state's electricity providers to meet any growth in demand with renewable energy, either by developing new facilities or by buying renewable energy credits. Meanwhile, Iowa has extended its production tax credits to include biomass and solar energy. [EERE Network News] 9:39:59 AM Google It!    [Perchlorate] New from the GAO New GAO Reports, Correspondence and Testimonies (PDFs) Source: General Accountability Office Perchlorate: A System to Track Sampling and Cleanup Results Is Needed Highlights ||| Full Report [Source: ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 9:38:47 AM Google It!    [Science policy] Science Under Siege: The Bush Administration's Assault on Academic Freedom and Scientific Inquiry Science Policy--United States Source: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Science Under Siege: The Bush Administration’s Assault on Academic Freedom and Scientific Inquiry "Academic freedom and scientific inquiry have come under sustained assault since September 11, 2001. Spurred by misguided and often disingenuous security concerns, the Bush Administration has sought to impose growing restrictions on the free flow of scientific information, unreasonable barriers to the use of scientific materials, and increased monitoring of and restrictions on foreign university students." Full report (PDF; 1.1 MB) [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 9:37:08 AM Google It!    [Power plants] "First look at air pollution from over 1,000 fossil-fuel power plants in North America". This article in the Commission for Environmental Cooperation Summer 2005 newsletter provides background and analysis of its January 2005 report, "North American Power Plant Air Emissions." The report compared 2002 emissions data from over 1000 individual fossil-fuel power plants in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and found that a small percentage of the continent's facilities release much of the electricity sector's sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide emissions. Article includes a link to the report. [SEJ: Useful links] 9:35:16 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:10:52 PM.