Ethanol and the farm

This article was explaining how corn being used for fuel is taking away the farm. This article show how much farmland is taken up when corn is used for fuel. It is pretty interesting. Check it out!






Ethanol

Coral Reefs and the changing world.

The dangers of global warming have a far more vast affect that many seem to believe. This page is a story about a study done on the effects of global warming on the coral reefs. Coral reefs are a huge part of the underwater ecosystem. The effect that global warming has on them is vast and can be seen on almost any reef through out the world. If you want to learn more just check out the link below.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/05/08/global.warming.reefs.reut/index.html

Polluted booz in China

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070514/od_nm/china_moutai_odd_dc;_ylt=Auh1GCabn9CCACQjNDOv9GDMWM0F

"The water purity of a river tapped to make China's national liquor is being threatened by uncontrolled building of other drinks factories along its banks, the official Xinhua news agency reported Monday."

This pretty much says it all.

Go Washington

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070514/ap_on_sc/sunny_washington;_ylt=Aia02ah48YKb5pwWh2kpK5LMWM0F

The state of Washington's oldest utility is going to build that states largest solar project starting next month.

They are going to make it happen even though it gets so much rain. Go Washington!

Will a Genetically Modified Maize Crop Benefit Sub-Saharan Africans?

This article talks about how GM crops could actually help poverty in Africa. Sub-Sahara Africans suffer the from hunger more than anywhere else in the world. The GM maize crop would protect against infection of the Maize Streak Virus that destroyed crops in 2006. Testing will begin later in 2007 and will be a first GM test for South Africa. Go to www.earthtrends.wri.org/updates/nodes/142 for the full article.

Food Politics

IN the year 2000 food companies did 900 million dollars in sales. This is a book that talks about the way the food industry has to constantly influence us to eat larger portions, more often, so they can make money. She also talks about how the industry targets children, minorities, and those who want to loose weight(very ironic because at the same time they want you to eat more). This looks like good book that i think you all should read.

Self-Sufficient Skyscraper

A German architecht wants to build office towers that produce their own energy. It would be 68 storeys high. "The cylindrical shape presents the minimum surface area to the sun, and a solar shield covers 60 degrees of the building. This will reduce the need for air conditioning." It would be built close to the sea so that sea water could be used to help cool the building. Also, the roof will have a 197 ft wind turbine & 161,459 square feet of solar cells.


http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/selfsufficient.php

Taking the waste out of organic recycling

organic recycling is becoming a big thing in the us and minnesota is starting to get on board. I was told in a telephone call on Friday that our school can do this also. so I am asking my classmates to help in this effort.

Toyota Completely hybrid by 2020

Rumors of Toyota going hybrid. a source says that Toyota aims to sell 1 million a year and in several years the sales will match that of the fuel efficient cars if not surpassing it. yet the statement could just be the wishes of a hybrid fan, is Toyota going hybrid?

what is happing to organic coffee

i read a article about how the usda is making it harder to obtain the requirements for organic coffee. This could drastically affect small town growers. there is more info at
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/is_organic_coff.php

Minnesota renews energy!

In february of this yearour legislature adopted one of the largest renewable energy markets in the country. Xcel energy the largest power co. in the state is being required to meet the standard of thirty percent renwable by 2020. This just adds to the list of requirements already in place since 1994 for minnesota power companies. The new standard also requires the public utilities commision to establish a renewable energy credit trading system by jan. 1 of 2008. The link to this info is http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/clean_energy/minnesota.pdf

Reduce Oil Dependency and Global Warming

Reducing oil depency and the effects that global warming has on the world are things that the Union of Concerned Scientists is setting out to do. The USC wants to have states join this challenge by setting standards that require the generation of cleaner electricity. Sounds like a great idea and the surprising thing is that many states have jumped on the band wagon to make this happen. go to www.ucsusa.org to find out if your home state is on the list

US Getting HOTTER?

By the mid year 2080 the world is going to be 10 degrees warmer. Conusming more fossil Fuels is going to contribute to the increase in the weather. Studies say that by 2080 102 degrees in Jacksonville, 100 degrees in Memphis, 96 degrees in Atlanta, and 91 degrees in Chicago. What do we do to help. Maybe nothing, but there is always something you can change you just have to want to.

Baby Sea Turtles are the cutest creatures on Earth!!!

I do not care what anyone says, but baby sea turtles are cute. We need to do everything we can to protect them. They are one of my favorite creatures on this planet. If anyone has a dvd of baby sea turtles crawling and flopping their way to the beach, let me borrow it. Well anyways, read more about them. http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/programs/turtleflagship/

Great Idea! Bad Execution!

In England a bunch of protestors were outraged by a GMO testing field and decided to stage a protest… The idea behind there protest is that they would contaminate the GM potato field, with non GM potatoes. Brilliant way to stop the protests, no? Well something went wrong, they contaminated the wrong field! Instead of planting potatoes in the GM field, they planted them in some poor innocent bean farmers field… by the time the farmer had realized that there were protested on his field… there was nothing he could do. It wasn’t until after the fact that the protesters realized they had attacked the wrong field… Now the bean farmer has potatoes growing in random places all over his field…

I thought it was funny!
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,2065039,00.html

Grasshopper are like Humans

Are grasshoppers like humans Recent studies have shown that grasshoppers and humans have something in common. When you put a bunch of grasshopper to the jumping test, scientists found that they are much like hopping humans. Why you might ask? Because the grasshoppers muscle is the only invertebrate muscle that functions like the human's sprinting muscle. Read more at:http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270772,00.html

Interior Official Who Censored Federal Scientists Resigns But Political Interference Remains a Serious Problem, Scientist Group Says

released: May 1, 2007

who draws the lines for what is real and what is fiction when it comes to what we want to know or what we need to know?

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/interior-official-who-0025.html

States Reach Renewable Energy Milestone

The year is 2020, fast enough, or can we do more? this is a lil article showing how some states are trying to change the effects it has on the world as a whole. maybe your home state is listed, maybe not, what will you do for your part?

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/states-reach-renewable-energy-0023.html

Michael Pollan Online Debate

Greetings, Sustaggers,

For anyone interested in the work of Michael Pollan,
particularly *The Omnivore's Dilemma,* I suggest that you check out
the fascinating discussion forum that began with an open letter from
Michael Pollan to John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods. That letter
is posted here: http://www.michaelpollan.com/article.php?id=80

Mr. Mackey's response and many subsequent responses from other people
are posted here: http://www.wholefoods.com/blogs/jm/archives/2006/06/detailed_reply.html

This discussion forum is still active. Scroll way, way down to the
bottom of the page to find a submission form for comments.

Thanks to MISA board members Gigi DiGiacomo and Tony
Thompson for alerting MISA to these resources!

Regards,

Jane Grimsbo Jewett
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Minnesota
www.misa.umn.edu

Is Organic Coffee Doomed?

The USDA is making their restrictions on organic coffee more strict. These stricter regulations could put a drastic effect on the organic coffee market in the US. It will now be more difficult for small growers to produce orgainc coffee. Check out more at :
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/is_organic_coff.php

Seattle lists steelhead as threatend species

As of monday the 8th, seattle has now declared the puget steelhead (rainbow trout) as a threatend species, another one chalked up to the list due to destroyed habitat and pollution.

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=12723

Killin' 'em to Get Some

Poaching rises in Zimbabwe's Game Parks, according to ENN.COM. Apparently, there are only 800 Black Rhino's left in Zimbabwe after 1,500 were killed in the 1980's. The horn of the black rhino is "valued in Aisa as an aphrodisiac" which stems much of the poaching. Personally I think this is disgusting, and terribly wrong. The black rhino's are terribly endangered and could easilly throw off the biodiversity of their reigon should they go extinct. People should't be such damn idiots goin around killin animals so they can arouse people when they obviously aren't up for being aroused... don't mind the pun. Such a shame.

London Food Reviewer says NO to Bottled Water

Something to think about! All that water expensively packaged and shipped thousands of miles so we can think or feel that we have some sort of superior water. Is it really worth it!?

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/london_food_rev.php

Looking for a job?

Common Roots Cafe is opening in Minneapolis. Offering food made from scratch with an emphasis on ingredients from sustainable local farms, the cafe will provide a needed community gathering space, modeling socially and environmentally responsible business practices. The cafe will increase support for local, organic, and fair-trade foods and socially responsible business practices.

We are currently hiring for the following positions:

l Cook
l Baker
l Counter Service
l Barista

The ideal candidates will:

l Approach this endeavor with fresh and exuberant energy
l Share their knowledge and passion for excellent food and beverage
l Share an interest in issues surrounding local food systems, fair trade and social justice
l Contribute to a positive working environment
l Value a diverse workplace
l Have restaurant experience relevant to the desired position

Preferred qualities include:

l Task and detail oriented
l Self motivated worker
l Strong communication skills
l Commitment to delivering exceptional customer service
l Ability to stand and work on feet for extended periods
l Ability to lift 50 lbs. without assistance

Competitive wages and benefits
Night and weekend hours required
Common Roots Cafe strives for an inclusive and diverse workplace

To apply e-mail resume and cover letter to commonrootscafe@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, with a desired start date of mid-May.

Environment bill advances

This is the answer to my frist blog I did for this class. the house and senate has come up with a bill to past this last week. more than 440 million is funding for cleaning up our waters and the renewalbe energy initiatives. at lest something is be done. Here is where you can find out more info.

http://www.mepartnership.org/mep_whatsnew.asp?new_id=2292

The Farm Bill: Slow Food USA’s Plan of Action

The information in this article makes me feel that there are ways to be apart of the solution. It showes us how to write our congressmen on these issues. It tells us how to be responsible steward of our purchasing, last but not least to make sure we educate ourselves on the issues of farming and bills that are being put into law.
If we choose to do something, we have a example on how it is done.

Mozart's Hidden Kitchen

When Mozart was alive he was great man who was very well know for his great thinking. He held a meeting type thing that brought the thought of eating quality being related to health. So now in Austria, especially Vienna, they have named many high quality foods after Mozart. In Vienna as a part of the kids curriculum they have to eat at least 30 percent of organic food. This is from Mozart's creative thinking that has made a real impact on the way the people eat today in Vienna. I really liked this article it was very cool to think that a musician has made such an impact on present day Austria.

Effects of global warming in Alaska

This article talk about a small town in Alaska, in which the effects of global warming are visible in their everyday lives. The temperature in Alaska has risen 4 times the rate as the rest of the world. Due to this, the small town has been forced to relocate the entire town 12 miles south of it's original location. Since the ice is present less than what it had been in previous years the natural event known as erosion has begun to eat away at their tiny town and forced them to relocate.

Monsantos round up ready alfalfa has been banned, for now!

The USDA put at stop on monsantos round up ready alfalfa until it is reviewed again by the USDA. I thought this was a good article since someone is finally recognizing that monsanto is doing somthing wrong. I actually found this article on their own website. Monsanto is debating if they are going to apeal the issue in court. Check it out!
Monsanto Company Disappointed With Court Decision Against the USDA Which Suspends the Planting of Roundup Ready Alfalfa

Japan Combats Global Warming

Japan is worried about the destruction of the environment due to their economic growth over the last few decades. They pledge to lead the way in cutting down their gas emissions and also rebuilding their forestry and farming sectors. "Japan pledged $100 million in grants to the Asian Development Bank on Sunday to combat global warming and promote greener investment in the region and called for a stronger international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions." The article also says that Japan's government has always worried about the growing the country first, worrying about the environment later. The government is now putting the environment first.

http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/2007/05/07/News/Japan.Combats.Global.Warming-2895805.shtml