Imagine if we could find a way to capture the greenhouse gases that are warming our planet. One way to do this is carbon farming, a practice that has great potential as a green business model, especially in countries with a Mediterranean climate. Carbon farming works by incorporating organic matter into the soil, thereby increasing…
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing biomass, is emerging as a promising tool in the quest to combat climate change. While efforts to tackle global warming have taken various forms – some more effective than others – biochar stands out for its dual benefits of promoting soil health and sequestering carbon. A new study…
What is an Herb? An herb, botanically, is a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). It can also refer, culturally, to a plant or plant part used for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. Gathering, cultivating, and…
America is facing a chronic illness epidemic fueled by diets rich in high-sugar, ultra-processed foods and devoid of real, nutrient-dense ingredients. It’s costing us money, reducing our life expectancy, and depriving us of the ability to fully enjoy life. But there is hope, and it comes in the form of a bold vision: “Make America…
From diversifying into dairy alternatives to leveraging greenhouse gas reduction strategies and efficiency improvements on conventional farms, dairy companies continuously seek to address market- and government-led pressures to minimize the sector’s environmental impact. There’s little doubt that with growing global demand for dairy comes a growing pressure on natural resources, placing sustainable farming practices in…
In recent years, frequent and long-lasting droughts have caused severe water shortages and threatened farming production. This occurred in the complex context of climate change and its effects, in which the water crisis plays a key role.Regenerating soil benefits not only the agriculture sector but the whole community. Every farmer can immediately start doing it by…
Reforms needed to ensure the protection of all pollinator species, our food systems and biodiversity as a whole A new study reveals alarming risks that pesticides pose to ground-nesting bees, which are crucial for pollination and food production. As agriculture increasingly relies on pesticides to protect crops, the unintended consequences for these essential pollinators are…
Soil, often revered as the ‘Skin of the Earth’ or geo-derma, is a biogeochemically transformed layer of parent rock and sediments, typically about one meter deep, that supports most terrestrial life. Despite its thinness, this vital resource underpins the production of over 95% of human food and shelters approximately two-thirds of the planet’s biodiversity. However,…
A new study shows that increasing plant diversity in agriculture can be used to improve the carbon sequestration potential of agricultural soils. As the agricultural sector strives to reduce its carbon footprint, promoting biodiversity in agricultural practices could be the key to more sustainable and climate-friendly food production systems. As agricultural expansion and intensive farming…