The Once-Eradicated Screwworm Pest Is Back: Are We Ready?
In early August, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a human case of New World screwworm in a Maryland patient who recently returned from El Salvador. As reported by Reuters, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services claims the public health risk is very low.[1] Nevertheless, the story illustrates … Continued
The EAT-Lancet Diet: A First Step toward a Healthier Planet and Healthier People
As the global population climbs toward ten billion and environmental pressures intensify, the connection between what we eat and the health of the planet is clearer than ever. Food production is a leading driver of environmental degradation, fueling climate change, deforestation, freshwater depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In fact, agriculture is pushing us beyond at … Continued
Ocean Acidification: The Newest Planetary Boundary Breached This Year
In 2009, a group of twenty-eight internationally renowned scientists proposed the planetary boundaries framework, combining insights from various disciplines of environmental change research. Their assessment defined nine large-scale earth system processes and associated boundaries that, if crossed, could lead to catastrophic environmental change. The group of scientists determined that we have already breached seven of … Continued
Planetary Boundaries 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Food Impacts Each One
Planetary boundaries are a set of scientifically defined environmental limits within which humanity can sustainably survive. These thresholds establish a “safe operating space” for human development, ensuring that the earth’s systems remain stable and resilient. Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of triggering large-scale, potentially irreversible environmental changes. The concept was introduced in 2009 by … Continued
How to Reduce Your Water Footprint through Smarter Food Choices
Water is often described as the most essential element for life on Earth, yet it is a resource we frequently take for granted, especially when it comes to the food we eat. While we may be mindful of turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth or fixing leaky taps, the vast majority of our … Continued
How Our Food Choices Could Help Reforest the Planet
The global food system lies at the center of some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Yet it also offers one of our greatest opportunities: the chance to reforest vast areas of the planet by rethinking what we eat. Nearly half of the world’s habitable land is currently … Continued
How to Plant a Fruit Tree Guild for a Resilient Backyard
If you are looking for a beautiful, resilient way to rewild some or all of your backyard, look no further than tree guilds. Also known as a permaculture garden, a tree guild is centered around a fruit or nut tree and incorporates a diverse group of plants that work together in harmony. What Is a … Continued
Supporting Pollinators in Your Backyard
The next time you are biting into a fresh apple or crafting a delicious salad, be sure to thank pollinators. Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we take every day.[1] Three-fourths of the flowering plants worldwide and 35 percent of the global food crop depend on pollinators to reproduce.[2] … Continued
The Hidden Cost of Glyphosate: Milkweed and Monarchs
Monarch butterflies have long captured the hearts of millions. Their delicate orange-and-black wings, extraordinary migration spanning thousands of miles from Canada to Mexico, and symbolic connection to transformation make them one of nature’s most beloved creatures. Monarchs are more than just insects: they’re a miracle of evolution and a source of wonder. But beneath their … Continued
Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply
Despite growing scientific consensus around the dangers of certain pesticides, many of these chemicals continue to be produced, used, and consumed around the world—even in countries where they’ve officially been banned. This global dissonance is particularly stark when comparing pesticide regulations in the European Union (EU) and the United States. Relying heavily on the precautionary … Continued
Pesticides—Adapting Chemicals of War
The story of pesticides is not merely one of agricultural innovation; it is also a story of militarism, industrial expansion, ecological upheaval, and a conflicted relationship with the natural world.
Can Organic Farming Feed the World?
In the ongoing debate between conventional and organic farming, it’s commonly believed that conventional agriculture is necessary to meet the growing global demand for food. However, decades of research from the Rodale Institute show that organic farming can not only match but often outperform conventional methods in terms of yield, sustainability, and profitability.
Aquatic ecosystems worldwide are facing severe challenges according to nearly every available metric. Recent reports indicate that shark and stingray populations have been halved since 1970, trends which echo earlier studies showing a 49% decline in fish populations between 1970 and 2012.[1][2] Today, nearly 90% of global marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or … Continued
Lifeless Soils Will Be the Death of Us
The world’s topsoil is endangered. About a decade ago, a senior UN official made the widely-publicized claim that this most important natural resource, on which our survival depends, will be gone within 60 years if current rates of soil loss continue.[1] “The causes of soil destruction include chemical-heavy farming techniques, deforestation which increases erosion, and … Continued
Three Often Overlooked Hazards of Animal Agriculture
Many people know that animal agriculture is far less environmentally sustainable and that diets containing excessive amounts of animal-based foods compromise our health in numerous ways. Most of our resources at the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies (CNS) relate to these concerns (you can learn more about Food and Sustainability or Plant-Based Nutrition … Continued
Industrial Agriculture Is a Zombie Paradigm (Video)
Andrew Kimbrell is an internationally recognized public interest attorney, public speaker, and author. He is the founder and executive director of Center for Food Safety. As an attorney, Kimbrell has successfully challenged federal agencies in several historic court cases. He initiated the court challenge that resulted in a US Supreme Court victory forcing, for the … Continued
Plant-Based Diets Radically Reduce Food Waste
Food waste is a global concern. If we could tackle food waste reduction, might the profligacy inherent to our food production systems be less consequential?
Do We Need Animal Foods to Meet Global Protein Requirements?
We have a bad habit of persistently conflating protein with animal foods. It’s on the restaurant menus. When it’s not at the forefront of our thoughts, it’s in the back of our minds. The idea is so deeply entrenched that one of the first questions a non-meat-eater must confront from friends and family is, inevitably, … Continued
How Much Land Could 100 Americans Conserve by Switching Their Diets?
In recent years, the debate around what constitutes a “sustainable diet” has led to much discussion. So, as a thought experiment, we analyze the impact that would come from 100 people currently eating the standard American diet switch to a fully plant-based diet.
Air Pollution and Industrialized Livestock
For a long time, we have understood that agriculture is a major contributor to air pollution, but only recently has there been an effort to determine the relative impact of specific foods or diets.
Is Organic Meat a Healthy Option?
Grass-fed bed is more popular than ever before as consumers look for “healthier” and “cleaner” meat options. But is organic meat really a “cleaner” option?
What is the Delusion of Eradication? (Video)
One of the core tenets of industrial agriculture is that we can dominate nature, bending natural processes to fit our will and design. But what are the consequences?
Escaping Agricultural Sacrifice Zones
Industrial agriculture is turning the entire planet into a sacrifice zone, and we must act now to rectify the environmental impacts of food production.
Can Agriculture Prevent Earth’s Sixth Mass Extinction?
The effort to combat the ongoing biodiversity crisis, which has led many to conclude we are currently entering and experiencing Earth’s sixth mass extinction event. Unlike the previous five extinction events, the current one is caused by the activity of a single species—humans.
The Environmental Case For Free-Range Livestock?
The agricultural system is designed to provide for diets high in animal products. Nine in ten Americans consume meat regularly, and three in five agree that eating red meat is part of the American way of life. This attitude and practice run contrary to the science of nutrition.
Imagining the Possibility of a Healthier and More Sustainable Human Presence on Earth
I had been working for almost 20 years as a leader in a New Thought church, and I believed my work made a meaningful contribution to humanity. I was overseeing programs for children and families, praying with people, helping lead a program for incarcerated men, and more. I thought I would be working there for … Continued
Is Vegan Milk as Sustainable as We Think?
How do plant-based milks compare to dairy milk in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and resource use, and which is the best plant-based milk for you?
Now Is the Time for Direct Action
Helping the environment isn’t as tricky as we think. Actions like learning plant-based recipes, reading food labels, and supporting local farmers’ markets can have a long-lasting impact.
6 Wild Foods That Taste, Smell, or Feel Like Candy
Satiating your sweet tooth doesn't have to come at the expense of your health. Lots of artificial sweet treats and their flavors, textures, and feel are inspired by nature.
From Plant to Planet: Nudge your way towards healthier, more sustainable food habits (Book Excerpt)
In this excerpt, authors of From Plant to Planet identify and address the most common barriers that prevent dietary lifestyle change.
Karen Washington: How Food Shapes Our Communities
Colleen Alexander sat down with Karen Washington to hear her perspective on how food shapes neighborhoods and communities, either for the better or worse.
Regenerative Grazing: Not As Sustainable As We Think
Regenerative grazing might sound like an upgrade from conventional agriculture, but is it sustainable? Do its benefits outweigh the concerns?
3 Trees With Edible and Nutritious Leaves
Most people think of spinach and kale when they think of “leafy greens.” Joshua Wayne, our favorite forager, is here to point us toward another source of edible leafy greens: the trees. Some of these edible tree leaves may even be in your backyard.
Book Excerpt: I Am Not a Tractor! How Florida Farmworkers Took On the Fast Food Giants and Won
How did the modest tomato not only help increase farm workers’ wages but also improve their safety and working conditions? This excerpt from the book I Am Not a Tractor! How Florida Farmworkers Took On the Fast Food Giants and Won gives you a teaser into just that.
Book Review: I Am Not a Tractor! How Florida Farmworkers Took On the Fast Food Giants and Won
Food is something we all need, yet the farmworkers who provide our food have historically been treated less than human. Susan Marquis, author of I Am Not a Tractor!, examines how real change can happen when the voiceless are given a microphone.
AmaruArts Preserves Culture & Diversity of Life in the Andes With Agriculture & Nutrition
What can we learn from the ancient agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples, and how might those lessons be used to improve health today?
UGROW Garden Network Puts Permaculture into Practice
Supporting over 60 community gardens and 500 gardeners throughout Worcester, MA, UGROW is bringing communities together for sustainable change.
Are U.S. Honey Bees Sustainable?
There’s no doubt pollinators help the environment, but focusing efforts on honey bee populations rather than native species may be doing more harm than good.
Can Using Regenerative Practices Save Agriculture?
The term “regenerative agriculture” may be new to you, but it has a long history. Here we discuss what regenerative agriculture is, whether it’s a realistic process to adopt, as well as its criticisms and benefits.
Student Spotlight: Mike Garcia
Environmental horticulturist, 15-year vegan, and former student of two CNS certificate programs, Mike Garcia tells us his personal story and provides his expertise and several pearls of wisdom in this spotlight.
Protech Eco-Green Practices Sustainable Farming & Agroforestry in Kenya
By supporting farmers, Protech Eco-Green supports the health and economy of a community in Kenya. This is critical in times of severe, unpredictable climate change.
Foraging can be a fun and sustainable way to source food, but where do you start? Here are 5 steps to help you forage local, tasty plants.
5 Mushrooms to Replace Fish in Your Diet
These 5 mushrooms have tastes and textures that will make it ever-so-easy to swap them for meat and fish in your diet!
5 Climate Change Crisis Facts That Will Inspire Your Green Journey
It can be overwhelming to ponder what is most hurting the environment versus what is most helping. We outline five climate crisis facts that can help.
Solar One’s Stuyvesant Cove Park Connects Residents to a Unique Urban Food Source
With the help of a CNS grant, Solar One reconnects people with food, the climate crisis, and a “living laboratory” of regenerative urban permaculture.
St. Luke’s University Health Network CSA Feeds Families & Employs Farmers
The community supported agriculture program at St. Luke’s University Health Network shows that improving access to healthy foods improves health.
How Is Cell-Cultured Meat Changing the Future of Food?
Here we take a look at cell-cultured meat and whether it has a place at the table within a healthy diet, including with a whole food, plant-based diet. Although science is getting closer, many consumers and scientists alike remain unconvinced.
Farm to Pantry Program Delivers Local Organic Food to Low-Income Communities
This Farm to Food Pantry program brings fresh produce from environmentally-conscious local producers to low-income members of the Illinois community.
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