Commentary

Invest in Water for Farming, or the World Will Go Hungry

By Colin Chartres

Super crops won't be enough — the planet will run short of food by 2030 unless we invest to avoid an imminent world water crisis, says Colin Chartres.

Full article

Message from Corrina

Welcome to the July issue of Elements of Sustainability! 

I've been thinking a lot about 'sustainability.'  We are witnessing the fall out of our unsustainable ways in our most basic life resources: water, food and energy. 

In the big picture, it feels that we can do so little to change the global circumstances.  Yet, people are doing a lot to make things right.  It gives me hope to learn about stories like the National Eat Local Challenge that VT's Secretary of Agriculture is leading. 

Each of us has the power to make a difference if we look within our own home, community and work. 

What is one thing that you could do to make things a little better for humanity? 

I believe it's the small things that each of us does that will ultimately make us truly sustainable.

Be well,

Corrina

Founder and Principal

P.S. Coming Soon!  Be An Everyday Humanitarian, an e-book on discovering your personal power to change the world. 

P.P.S. Check out the Everyday Humanitarian blog.

Brazil's Progress Toward Zero Hunger by 2015

Costly biofuel support offers few benefits: OECD

Malaysia's Land Development Authority FELDA has announced plans to immediately establish 100,000 hectares (250,000) of oil palm plantations in the Brazilian Amazon.

Innovations 

National Eat Local Challenge Led by VT

Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Roger Allbee,  has challenged  his fellow Commissioners of Agriculture from all 50 states to join him in an Eat Local Challenge during National Farmers' Market Week (August 3rd - 9th).  Last year Allbee and other VT state personnel took the Eat Local Challenge to connect with Buy Local efforts in VT and to advertise the local specialties of VT. 

In taking the lead on this effort, VT hopes to gain other commissioners’ participation and people not currently aware of local food movements.

Stay tuned for an update on who participated in the National Eat Local Challenge.

As planet swelters, are algae unlikely saviour?

As the world mulls over the conundrum of how to satisfy a seemingly endless appetite for energy and still slash greenhouse gas emissions, researchers have stumbled upon an unexpected hero: algae.

Full article

Tell us what you think!  Have a comment, want to share an article?  Send it to Corrina at csteward@ecoresourceconsulting.com.

Markets

Global green energy spending jumps 60% in 2007