The toxicity of pesticides increased worldwide between 2013 to 2019, with Brazil among the countries leading the way. This conclusion was made in a study published in the journal Science (Wolfram et al., 2026) and contradicts the goal of reducing pesticide risks by 2030, established at the 15th United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15). In theirContinue reading “Pesticides have become more harmful globally, new study finds”
Category Archives: Livelihoods
Which type of chocolate has the lowest impact on climate change? New research
If you want to eat chocolate and do better for the planet, dark chocolate is by far your best bet. This is the conclusion and takeaway message of a new study published in Science of the Total Environment (2026) that compared different types of chocolate for their environmental impacts. The study authors found that, “the majorContinue reading “Which type of chocolate has the lowest impact on climate change? New research”
The New Food Guide for Colombia: Biodiversity, identity, and health at the table
In 2025, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) and the University of Antioquia presented the Dietary Guide for the Colombian Population based on Biodiversity and Real Food. This document is not a single recipe or just another technical manual: it is the result of a participatory process with communities from the country’s 13 food-relatedContinue reading “The New Food Guide for Colombia: Biodiversity, identity, and health at the table”
The açaí berry: The journey from the Amazon rainforest to your table
The story of açaí begins in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, where local tribes regarded it as a precious source of energy and vitality. It’s no coincidence that the name “açaí” means “fruit that cries” in the Tupi language, referring to how the pulp flows from the fruit. For generations, Amazonian communities have harvested these smallContinue reading “The açaí berry: The journey from the Amazon rainforest to your table”
A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges
An informative and timely new editorial has been published in Nutrition & Dietetics (February 2025). The editorial is titled “A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges” (Machado, 2025). Here, the author notes that: “Promoting healthy and sustainable food systems for current and future generations is central in realisingContinue reading “A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges”
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”
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”
Food and sustainability: Is it a matter of choice?: A review
A recent review published in the journal Sustainability focuses on results of life cycle analysis (LCA) articles that summarize the current state of food choices on our environment. This narrative review “aims to demonstrate that healthy plant-based choices in our diet are linked to choices beneficial to our environment.” The authors also highlight the opportunitiesContinue reading “Food and sustainability: Is it a matter of choice?: A review”
Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, “Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land.” (Kozicka et al., 2023) The authors note that, “additional climate andContinue reading “Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research”
Agroecology as a transformative approach to tackle climatic, food, and ecosystem crises: New review
A new review paper published in the journal Innovations in Environmental Sustainability outlines how agroecology can be used to tackle climatic, food, and ecosystem crises. “Agroecology has been proposed as a transformative approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation that reduces climate risk while supporting long-term productivity and resilience of food systems by applying ecologicalContinue reading “Agroecology as a transformative approach to tackle climatic, food, and ecosystem crises: New review”
Sustainable RDN 