Stronger Plants, Stronger Science, and Stronger Communication
Hi, I’m Ariela. I am studying nutrition sciences (dietetics) at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. I have a bachelors in sociology from UC Davis, and I am interested in the sociological aspects of people’s lives, especially food and culture. Hanukkah started last night at sundown, and I thought it was particularly relevant to talk about…
On or about today, Halloween, the world is expected to surpass 7 Billion human inhabitants. That is, plus or minus 56 million. Based on estimates from the United Nations, October 31st lies in the middle of a 12-month margin of uncertainty, wherein is is highly likely that more than 7,000,000,000 people will simultaneously be alive…
A recent UK Times opinion piece by rational optimist Matt Ridley has really hit the nail of the head about food security, linking together many issues that are repeatedly tackled at this website. The value of fertiliser. The needs of Africa. The tragedy of NGOs that harm people they want to help. Problems and delays caused by…
Read More “Oxfam should get serious about malnutrition: Africa needs roads and nitrates” »
Chicago Council on Global Affairs Speech May 24, 2011, Prepared Remarks by Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Thank you, Representative Granger, for that kind introduction. Everyone here is grateful for your long-standing leadership on global health and development issues, and we look forward to helping you as you…
Read More “Bill Gates speaks out about helping small farmers gain access to reliable markets” »
Going up: food prices set to soar by Richard Webb. The Sunday Age, Melbourne. April 3, 2011 “Higher world prices for commodities such as wheat and sugar will place pressure on related food prices”, says the Reserve Bank of Australia. With global food prices at record highs, a supermarket war isn’t enough to keep prices down… …In…
Read More “Food price rises finally hit home in mainstream media” »
Biodiversity doesn’t feed people, but GM crops doMarch 30, 2011, ACSH Despatch During a United Nations meeting in Bali to discuss a treaty on plant genetics, La Via Campesina, which according to an article in The Atlantic, is said to be an international farmers’ movement comprised of 150 organizations in 70 countries, decided not to…
From The Scientific Alliance (UK) newsletter.25th March 2011 Politicians should be unprincipled Sticking to principles is, you may think, an admirable quality. Indeed, describing anyone as ‘unprincipled’ can hardly be regarded as a compliment. But principles define our way of thinking and making decisions and can blind us to evidence which is inconsistent with our…
The global food crunch By Robert J. Samuelson, Washington PostMonday, March 14, 2011Here’s a question about the Mideast turmoil for future historians: How much did food inflation contribute? We know some basic facts. Middle East countries import 50 percent or more of their wheat, a staple food for many. Beginning in mid-2010, world grain prices…
Read More “High wheat prices and Middle-East turmoil linked?” »
Armed with US$40 million, global research team to fight Ug99; Wind-borne wheat pathogen endangers food security worldwide With grant from DFID and Gates Foundation, Cornell University and partners will ramp up surveillance; provide farmers with resistant wheat varieties ITHACA, NY (27 February 2011)—The United Kingdom’s Department of International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced…
Read More “Threat to world’s wheat being met with money from Bill and Melinda Gates” »
The Future of Food and Farming: Challenges and choices for global sustainabilityUK Government Office for Science 2011Executive Summary From the IntroductionProject aim: to explore the pressures on the global food system between now and 2050 and identify the decisions that policy makers need to take today, and in the years ahead, to ensure that a global…
Read More “The Future of Food and Farming Priority 6: Promote sustainable intensification.” »