One of the largest agricultural countries in the world, India, expects its highest summer crop production for 2021–2022.This comes at a critical juncture when energy shortage crippled food production in China. The record numbers will play a critical role in maintaining global food security.The record harvest also challenges claims that climate change will reduce global crop production.For example, the Observer Research Foundation—an organization that is partnered by Apple, Bill Gates, Uber, … [Read more...]
Floods Bring Joy to Parched Tropical Lands
Floods are bad. Whether you are rich or poor, sudden floods can cause widespread damage to life and property. The impacts of Hurricane Katrina and Harvey still linger in the mind.During severe floods, families may lose property they’ve held for generations. In the worst cases they may lose family members. Farmers lose livestock, and businesses suffer long-lasting damage. Though insurance covers some losses, the damage has a lasting impact on livelihoods.But in parts of the world prone to long … [Read more...]
Can Green Energy Cause a Global Food Shortage?
China is one of the world’s largest food producers. Recently an acute power shortage there reduced food output. This sent markets into panic. Severe global food shortages and increased prices could follow.What caused China’s power shortage? Over-reliance on renewable energy. It led to insufficient and unreliable electricity generation. That harmed domestic food production and global food security.Many people condemn coal. They espouse “green” policies. But these lead to power blackouts. And … [Read more...]
The Perils of Idolizing Organic Farming in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is on a path to agricultural collapse. Its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, declared an economic emergency on August 31, 2021.Why? One reason is a bizarre agricultural policy. In April, Sri Lanka’s cabinet “approved a ban on importation of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals in the bid to become the first country ever to practice organic-only agriculture.” It requires all farming to be organic within 10 years. This puts farmers in the country in a dreadful situation.World Famous … [Read more...]
Beyond Industries: Why Half a Billion Other Indians Need Fossil Fuels
India’s population is nearing 1.4 billion and plays an important role in the global economy. Industry, employing about three-fifths of the Indian workforce, and agriculture, employing the other two-fifths, are the twin engines of India’s soaring economy.Both sectors depend on fossil fuels, and the demand for fossil fuels in India is unlikely to diminish anytime soon. The agricultural sector in particular is completely dependent on fossil fuel-based crop enhancement systems.Indian agriculture … [Read more...]
The Good and the Bad of Netflix Documentary “Seaspiracy”
Ali Tabrizi’s Seaspiracy is a popular and controversial new Netflix documentary which details overfishing and what to do about it.Tabrizi brings many important points to light. However, he draws several questionable conclusions. In particular, his “final solution” to overfishing — a real problem — is mistaken. And, like most environmental films, Seaspiracy misses the real “whale in the room.”Here’s a survey, with assessments.The Taiji Dolphin Hunting TraditionPeople in Taiji, … [Read more...]
The Gates of Hell (or Heaven) in Africa?
Agribusiness, Small Family Farms, or Both?According to many critics, Western billionaires do not make the best farmers. Perhaps it is their inability (or unwillingness) to downsize grandiose plans from a Western-style agribusiness model to merely helping millions of subsistence farmers that dot the African landscape succeed in providing nutritious diets for their families and communities.That’s the conclusion of a major report from Germany entitled False Promises: The Alliance for a Green … [Read more...]
Climate Change No Threat to India’s Agricultural Triumph
I meet a lot of farmers in India. Two-thirds of India’s 1.3 billion people depend on farming. When they learn that I do research in environmental sciences, the first question they ask is, “How is climate change going to impact agriculture in India?”Unpredictable MonsoonThe answer is not clear. Indian rainfall seasons have shown no specific trend over the past hundred years, and it is extremely difficult to predict the impact of warming or cooling. The farmers here—like those … [Read more...]
GM Crops: More Important to Africa’s Food Security Than Ever
The economic situation in Africa has improved a lot since the 1990s. Yet, rampant poverty and food insecurity still impact millions of lives there.Currently, there is a huge demand/supply gap in the agricultural sector. At least three hundred million are malnourished.The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization defines food security as “a situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets … [Read more...]
New Climate Summary: Meat, Livestock Have Little Climate Impact
American ranchers and U.S. meat consumption have virtually no impact on greenhouse gas emissions or climate, reports a compelling new climate summary. The new climate summary, “Climate at a Glance: Livestock and Methane,” documents that cattle and beef account for just 2% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. All livestock combined account for less than 4% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.Climate activists, many of whom are vegans for other reasons, often claim that ranchers, livestock, and meat … [Read more...]
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