Dear EarthTalk: What advantages do so-called “vertical farms” have over traditional gardens and farms? —Sylvia Pleasant, Washington, DC When Dickson Despommier’s book The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century was first published, there were no vertical farms. Now, it’s an exciting movement in U.S. food production, providing pesticide-free leafy greens and herbs to […]
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that global warming is causing our crops to be less nutritious? — William Persson, Glendale, OH It’s difficult to say whether or not the climate change we are now experiencing is negatively impacting the nutritional quality of our food, but researchers warn that it may be only a matter of time. […]
Dear EarthTalk: What are the potential health and environmental impacts of so many genetically engineered organisms in our food supply? — Frank C., Charlottesville, VA Proponents of genetic engineering (GE)—whereby DNA from unrelated species is combined to produce improved or novel organisms—insist that the benefits of increased crop yields and less agricultural waste outweigh the potential […]
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that global warming is causing our crops to contain less nutrition? —William Persson, Glendale, OH It is difficult to say whether or not the climate change we are now experiencing is negatively impacting the nutritional quality of our food, researchers warn that it may be only a matter of time. […]
Biochar is a naturally occurring, fine-grained, highly porous form of charcoal derived from the process of baking biomass—and it’s been associated with fertile soils for some two thousand years.
Americans are increasingly concerned about the environment, but skeptical of organic labeling, and not necessarily willing to spend more.
GMO Labelling: Activists are trying to hold back the onslaught of genetically modified foods—or at least slap them with a label…
There’s been a lot of coverage on the topic of organic foods and how they aren’t actually any healthier than conventional foods. Is this true?
Blowin’ in the Wind: Organic Farmers Seek an Answer to the Problem of Contamination by Genetically Modified Seeds and Crops…
Columbia University professor of environmental health and microbiology, Dickson Despommier, coined the term “vertical farming.” He says that a 30-story building built on one city block and engineered to maximize year-round agricultural yield could feed tens of thousands of people.
