An analysis of 57,000 foods published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) “reveals which [foods] have the best and worst environmental impacts. A team of researchers used an algorithm to estimate how much of each ingredient was in thousands of products sold in major UK supermarket chains. The scientists then gave foodContinue reading “Healthier foods are better for the planet: new study”
Author Archives: greengrass50
Scientists offer blueprint for sustainable redesign of food systems
A new perspective article published in the journal Nature Sustainability describes food systems designed not by the logic of growth such as efficiency and extraction, but by principles of sufficiency, regeneration, distribution, commons, and care. It argues that food systems can instead be the foundation of healthy communities, ecologies, and economies. “For this agenda-setting article,Continue reading “Scientists offer blueprint for sustainable redesign of food systems”
The effectiveness and consequences of carbon taxes on U.S. food purchases: new research
New research published in the journal Food Policy examined the effectiveness and consequences of using carbon taxes on food purchases to contribute to the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) reduction target for 2025. The researchers found that “carbon taxes on food purchases decrease GHGEs from the agricultural and food sectors by 1.9 to 4.8 percent andContinue reading “The effectiveness and consequences of carbon taxes on U.S. food purchases: new research“
The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022
How sustainable is the city where you live? The 5th edition of the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index “provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of urban sustainability and how it is the key to unlocking prosperity in cities and improving quality of life.” More specifically, the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index provides an overall ranking of 100Continue reading “The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2022”
Why beans? For people and the planet
“The possibilities for positive change in our food systems are endless! With focused and coordinated action we have the potential to create a more sustainable, resilient planet that provides good food for all.” See: Good Food for All – https://www.goodfood4all.org/ “Unfortunately, as cost, conflict, COVID, and climate continue to negatively impact the rates of hungerContinue reading “Why beans? For people and the planet”
Glyphosate may be harming bumblebee hives: new research
“As bees continue to decline, scientists have found many contributors, including climate change and landscape transformation. Now they’ve added another one: glyphosate” – a broad-spectrum herbicide that is used primarily for weed control in agriculture. A recent study published in the journal Science found that “exposure to glyphosate can impair a bumblebee’s ability to maintain hive temperature,Continue reading “Glyphosate may be harming bumblebee hives: new research”
UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million in 2021
The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition report (2022) shows the world is moving backwards in efforts to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. “The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to aContinue reading “UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million in 2021”
Climate impact of food miles up to 7 times higher than previously thought: study
Newly published research in the journal Nature Food “suggests transport accounts for one-fifth of total food-system emissions with fruits and vegetables among the most carbon-intensive.” The researchers reported that, “When the entire upstream food supply chain is considered, global food-miles correspond to about 3.0 GtCO2e (3.5–7.5 times higher than previously estimated), indicating that transport accounts forContinue reading “Climate impact of food miles up to 7 times higher than previously thought: study”
Pesticides are spreading toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ according to recent review
Scientists have been raising concerns for decades over the use of toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ [scientifically known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs] “so called because their strong molecular bonds can take hundreds of years to completely break down in the environment. Widely used in consumer products such as cookware and clothing, these substances areContinue reading “Pesticides are spreading toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ according to recent review”
Do carbon labels translate into fewer greenhouse gas emissions?
“Carbon labeling shifts consumer behavior. But does that actually translate to fewer emissions?” An article published in Anthropocene Magazine on June 2, 2022 titled, “Get ready for sticker shock carbon therapy” attempts to answer this question. In short, the author notes that, “If labeling is going to help wean us off carbon, it will needContinue reading “Do carbon labels translate into fewer greenhouse gas emissions?”
Sustainable RDN 