A newly published review by Pashaei et al. (2024) concludes that the mushroom is a good nutritional and environmental meat substitute as it has less environmental impact, including lower carbon, water, and land footprints compared to red meat, including beef and mutton (lamb) (Pashaei et al., 2024). Nutritional benefits of mushrooms In terms of mushrooms’Continue reading “Edible mushrooms as an alternative to animal protein for having a more sustainable diet”
Category Archives: Agriculture Land Use
How much food does the world waste? What we know, and what we don’t
Globally, approximately 40% of food is either lost or wasted along the value chain, exposing a major blind spot in food systems. And while 40% of the world’s food is wasted or lost annually, millions of people across the globe face hunger. This fact alone should help us think more critically about the food onContinue reading “How much food does the world waste? What we know, and what we don’t”
Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): What they are, where they are found, and how to limit exposure
Per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals characterized by a chain of carbon atoms bound to fluorine atoms through a process called fluorination.1 PFAS are a class of thousands of chemicals known or suspected to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals. According to the Endocrine Society and the International Pollutants Elimination NetworkContinue reading “Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): What they are, where they are found, and how to limit exposure”
Biodiversity on our plate: The health and nutrition connection
“A diverse diet is a healthy diet. Research has shown that increasing the number of species and varieties we grow and consume can deliver a full range of nutrients and benefits to nourish human health. ” (Borelli and Hunter, 2024) “This is particularly urgent because our food systems fail to provide the nourishment we need. FoodContinue reading “Biodiversity on our plate: The health and nutrition connection”
EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet lowers risk of premature death and environmental impact: New research
Persons who “eat a healthy, sustainable diet may substantially lower their risk of premature death in addition to their environmental impact, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. It is the first large study to directly evaluate the impacts of adherence to recommendations in the landmark 2019 EAT-Lancet report.”Continue reading “EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet lowers risk of premature death and environmental impact: New research”
Edible insects can contribute to sustainable food systems and global food security
Given the numerous positive attributes of edible insects, including a low environmental footprint, high food conversion ratio, rapid growth and nutritional values, a new review published in the journal Scientific Reports (2024) argues that consuming edible insects can play a vital role in promoting a more sustainable food system. Omuse et al. 2024 compiled andContinue reading “Edible insects can contribute to sustainable food systems and global food security”
May 22, 2024: International Day of Biodiversity (IDB): Be a Part of the Plan
“Be part of the Plan”, the theme of IDB 2024, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the The Biodiversity Plan. International Day of Biodiversity (IDB) 2024: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day The Biodiversity Plan offers opportunitiesContinue reading “May 22, 2024: International Day of Biodiversity (IDB): Be a Part of the Plan”
Soy production – and cattle ranching – linked to “shocking” land clearance in Brazil’s Cerrado and the Amazon, study says
“Nearly 60,000 hectares of forest was cleared in Brazil’s Cerrado and Amazon in late 2023, with likely ties to the supply chains of some of the world’s largest soy exporters including Bunge and Cargill, a report has found. The Cerrado is the second-largest Brazilian biome, and one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Covering 22%Continue reading “Soy production – and cattle ranching – linked to “shocking” land clearance in Brazil’s Cerrado and the Amazon, study says”
Environmental and land use consequences of replacing milk and beef with plant-based alternatives: New study
In a new study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production (Costa et al., 2023), researchers investigated the environmental consequences of two independent yet interconnected diet choices in a German context: (i) replacing dairy milk with soy milk, and (ii) replacing beef meatballs with pea protein balls. They related commodity demand to detailed agricultural rotationsContinue reading “Environmental and land use consequences of replacing milk and beef with plant-based alternatives: New study”
Cigarette style warning labels could reduce people’s meat consumption: New research
Cigarette style graphic warning labels could reduce people’s meat consumption, according to new research published in the journal Appetite. (Hughes et al., 2023) The new study suggests the use of warning labels on meat options could improve the public’s health and reduce the UK’s carbon footprint. The independent Climate Change Committee, which advises the UKContinue reading “Cigarette style warning labels could reduce people’s meat consumption: New research”