The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has today adopted a series of guidelines, which aim to improve the governance of people’s tenure of land, fisheries and forests, while also ensuring food security. The guidelines address various issues ranging from the protection of informal land rights and the transfer of tenure rights, to the right […]
UN Endorses Land Tenure Guidelines Read More »
The Club of Rome launched their latest report “2052: A Global Forecast for the Next Forty Years” yesterday which issues a warning about humanity’s ability to survive. The grim conclusion is that mankind will soon be confronted with the limits of the planet if it continues with the over-consumption and short-sightedness of the current political
New Club of Rome report paints a grim future Read More »
The European Commission failed to reach agreement on the future of the EU biofuels policy at an orientation meeting last Wednesday. The 27 commissioners had gathered to choose one of three policy options designed to address indirect land use changes (ILUC) related to biofuels. ILUC occur if forests are cleared or peatland is dried to
Uncertain Future for EU biofuels Read More »
The 2nd African Organic Conference “Mainstreaming Organic Agriculture in the African Development Agenda” will today be opened in Lusaka, Zambia. From 2- 4 May, over 300 delegates from 40 countries and four continents, including representatives from governments, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector and research institutions, will participate in the event. The conference has been
African Organic Conference opens today Read More »
On Wednesday, after several months of political controversy and constant pressure from the agribusiness sector, the Brazilian Congress approved substantial changes to the existing Forest Code. The new legislation grants amnesty to individuals who illegally cleared forests prior to 2008. According to environmental groups, the Forest Code weakens the protection of the Amazon rainforest, contributing
Brazilian Congress approves controversial Forest Code Read More »
Small-scale farmers, and organisations supporting them, are today marking the International Day of Peasant’s Struggle, commemorating the massacre of 19 landless Brazilian farmers in 1996. More than 250 actions and demonstrations will take place across the globe. The international farmers’ movement La Via Campesina is this year mobilising against the current trend of land grabbing:
April 17th: Worldwide mobilisation for the International Day of Peasant’s Struggle Read More »
Hats off to this mother of three who got fed up and took charge. Thirteen years ago, Sofía Gatica’s newborn died of kidney failure after being exposed to pesticides in the womb. After the despair came anger, then a fierce determination to protect the children in her community and beyond. Today, she’s one of six
Sofía Gatica from Argentina takes on Monsanto, wins Goldman Environmental Prize Read More »
ASIDE from the safety of food with genetically modified organisms, Greenpeace said on Thursday that the ownership of these food makers should also be a cause for concern about GMOs. “GMOs are patented and owned by the companies that develop, produce, and market them as quick-fix solutions to hunger and poverty. After more than 20
Greenpeace Philippines warns of GMOs in manufactured food Read More »
Good biofuel crops can make great invasive species. That’s one of the findings of a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation. Growing Risk: Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks explores the challenges and policy solutions surrounding the use of non-native and potentially invasive bioenergy crops. Numerous non-native and genetically modified species
Biofuels in the USA – Growing risk for taxpayers and wildlife Read More »
In a paper published recently in BioScience, David Mortensen, professor of weed ecology at Penn State, and fellow researchers criticized this “single tactic” approach of herbicide-tolerant GM crops to control weeds. The paper says the approach will dramatically increase herbicide use and threaten environmental quality, create even more herbicide resistant “superweeds,” and encourage continued neglect
U.S. scientist says biotech companies encouraging GMO-herbicide treadmill Read More »
