Agriculture
Scientists hint at negative impacts of climate change on farming
Forthcoming UN science study could reveal median crop yields may fall by up to 2% per decade for the rest of century
McDonald’s announces move towards sustainable beef
McDonald’s is aiming to green its meat supply, but does anyone know what ‘sustainable beef’ actually means?
Kenyan farmers warned climate change may impact crop yields
Report suggests changing rainfall patterns will make previously desolate areas fertile, but could also decimate country’s maize-friendly regions
Dung beetles reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cow pats
By drying out the dung, the beetles increase the availability of oxygen and reduce the amount of methane in the pats
Will climate change hit maize and wheat production?
Different models offer conflicting predictions on future crop yields, confusing scientists and the public alike
Skinny cows and climate change could cost farmers billions
A study predicts wild and domestic cattle will drastically reduce in weight as the climate warms − compromising food security and slashing farmer’s profits
Dig up your lawn & live somewhere hot to cut emissions
Garden lawns are more prolific carbon emitters than some farm crops, and keeping yourself warm uses much more energy than running an air conditioner
Climate resilient rice offers hope to Indian farmers
New method of growing rice has achieved significantly larger harvests while reducing the need for fertilisers and curbing emissions of greenhouse gases
Climate change promises tough future for US farmers
US farms could be devastated by climate change, says a study by the country’s Department of Agriculture
Colossal food waste hitting energy, land and water supplies
New report by Institute of Mechanical Engineers details how huge levels of vital commodities are squandered by humans
Natural disasters cost $160bn in 2012
Hurricane Sandy costliest single event but non-economic losses from agriculture could be felt long into 2013
China’s farmers key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Cutting the use of nitrogen as a fertiliser by half in China could significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions without affecting crop productivity, according to new research.
Mitigation and adaptation critical to guaranteeing food security
Ahead of the UN climate summit in Doha, two new studies highlight the impacts of climate change and the world’s food system on one another and their potential to impact our relationship with food.
UNEP: Eight steps to feed a growing world
CBD COP11: A new report from UNEP warns that safeguarding the environmental foundations of the world’s food system will be crucial.
Agricultural expansion: an “either or more” factor in deforestation
Growing global demand for beef and edible oils have bumped arable land under cultivation to a 532 million hectares in recent decades.
Climate Live: Glasgow’s disused mines to heat the city, African farmers find ways to tackle drought and Obama says climate change is “not a hoax”
Today’s headlines, Glasgow’s disused mines to heat the city, African farmers find ways to tackle drought and Obama says climate change is “not a hoax”.
The price of climate change: How to temper volatile food prices
Severe weather variability has affected harvests around the world but the many of the tools to enhance food security are within our grasp.
Obama administration backs biofuels as triple win for military, economy and agriculture
President’s climate change advisor and Secretaries for the Navy and Agriculture unite to back industry that could be worth “one million US jobs” following Navy’s Great Green Fleet trial.
Carpet tiles, bike powered generators & bio-degradable cars: Five sustainable designs to change your world
We’ve been to the New Designers show in London to find some of the top young innovators of the future – and we are very impressed!
Can farmers fight climate change, lower their CO2 emissions and keep the world’s growing population fed?
Rising pressure on food supplies coupled with climate change is forcing farmers to adapt. But how might these changes affect the health of the global environment?