The recent Christmas season illuminated homes and hearts worldwide, drawing us in to the manger in Bethlehem—a humbling yet radiant scene where divine love entered humanity through the birth of Jesus Christ. "For unto us a child is born," proclaimed Isaiah, speaking of a Savior who would bear the sins of humanity, redeem the broken, and restore the lost (Isaiah 9:6).Many of us see Christ’s coming largely, even entirely, as relevant to our individual personal destinies. But there is more—much … [Read more...]
To fix Africa’s hunger problem, bring on genetically modified crops
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 … [Read more...]
Why is March 25th the Cornwall Alliance Day of Prayer?
March 25th is the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, “Father of the Green Revolution” and “The Man Who Fed the World” by his work increasing crop yields around the world.In 1968 Paul Ehrlich published The Population Bomb, claiming that there was no hope to feed rising populations. Millions would starve to death no matter what remedial actions were taken. But, while he was publishing his predictions of doom and gloom, Dr. Borlaug had already set out to create a … [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...]
Father, We Praise You For This World You Have Given To Us!
This prayer was submitted by a friend of the Cornwall Alliance.Heavenly Father, we praise you first of all for your work of redemption — for delivering us from the punishment that we deserve for our self-centeredness and for our failure to consistently translate your concern for the poor into action. We thank you Father for giving us forgiveness as a free gift, for we could never earn it. And as we look at your creation, we thank you that you have also given us the use of your … [Read more...]
What do “The Man Who Fed the World,” And the Cornwall Day of Prayer Have in Common?
What do Norman Borlaug, and the Cornwall Alliance Day of Prayer have in common? A day. March 25th is the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug. Dr. Borlaug worked to extend crop yields and relieve hunger and poverty around the world. In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, he received The Presidential Medal of Freedom, Vannevar Bush Award, Public Welfare Medal, National Medal of Science, Congressional Gold Medal, and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honor. The … [Read more...]
Isn’t Gene Editing a Better Form of Crossbreeding?
Last month the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament voted to oppose the European Union’s plan to approve four crops—varieties of cotton, soybeans, and maize (corn)—genetically modified to resist herbicides.Their vote exemplifies the mistaken belief that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are unsafe. No one would be sadder than the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug. Aside from scientists and students in agricultural colleges, few … [Read more...]
How Can You Help Us Pray for the Environment and the Poor March 1–25?
As you may remember, last year the Cornwall Alliance hosted its first Day of Prayer for the Environment and the Poor. Many friends wrote prayers, and those were great guides for others to pray on that day! Many also committed to pray at specific times on March 25. We’re hosting our second annual Day of Prayer, again on March 25—the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug (about whom more below). We’d love for you to participate by writing prayers and reflections on issues related … [Read more...]
Remembering an Agricultural Hero Amid Local Food Shortages
This article was originally published on Townhall.com. World Grain just reported that the east African countries of Kenya and Uganda are currently facing severe localized food insecurity. Food “is restricted to specific areas due to various factors including an influx of refugees, a concentration of internally displaced persons, or a combination of crop failure and acute poverty. The situation in Kenya, which has about 1.5 million people mainly in north-eastern pastoral areas staring at severe … [Read more...]
Cornwall Alliance to Host Day of Prayer for the Environment and the Poor
For Immediate Release March 1, 2015—The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation will host a Day of Prayer for the Environment and the Poor on March 25. This is an opportunity to draw near to God our Creator while praying for the world’s poor and for godly stewardship of the earth. March 25 is the birthday of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, “Father of the Green Revolution,” whose work increasing crop yields around the globe made him “The Man Who Fed the World.” “In 1968 … [Read more...]
