Monday, 14 May 2012
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Genetically modified foods
GMO alert: top 10 genetically modified foods to avoid eating
1. Corn - Corn has been modified to create its own insecticide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared that tons of genetically modified corn has been introduced for human consumption. Monsanto has revealed that half of the US's sweet corn farms are planted with genetically modified seed. Mice fed with GM corn were discovered to have smaller offspring and fertility problems.
2. Soy - Soy has also been genetically modified to resist herbicides. Soy products include soy flour, tofu, soy beverages, soybean oil and other products that may include pastries, baked products and edible oil. Hamsters fed with GM soy were unable to have offspring and suffered a high mortality rate.
3. Cotton - Like corn and soy, cotton has been designed to resist pesticides. It is considered food because its oil can be consumed. Its introduction in Chinese agriculture has produced a chemical that kills cotton bollworm, reducing the incidences of pests not only in cotton crops but also in neighboring fields of soybeans and corn. Incidentally, thousands of Indian farmers suffered severe rashes upon exposure to BT cotton.
4. Papaya - The virus-resistant variety of papaya was commercially introduced in Hawaii in 1999. Transgenic papayas comprised three-fourths of the total Hawaiian papaya crop. Monsanto bestowed upon Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore technology for developing papaya resistant to the ringspot virus in India.
5. Rice - This staple food from South East Asia has now been genetically modified to contain a high amount of vitamin A. Allegedly, there are reports of rice varieties containing human genes to be grown in the US. The rice will create human proteins useful for dealing with infant diarrhea in the 3rd world. China Daily, an online journal, reported potential serious public health and environment problems with genetically modified rice considering its tendency to cause allergic reactions with the concurrent possibility of gene transfers.
6. Tomatoes - Tomatoes have now been genetically engineered for longer shelf life, preventing them from easily rotting and degrading. In a test conducted to determine the safety of GM tomatoes, some animal subjects died within a few weeks after consuming GM tomatoes.
7. Rapeseed - In Canada, this crop was renamed canola to differentiate it from non-edible rapeseed. Food stuff produced from rapeseed includes rapeseed oi (canola oil) l used to process cooking oil and margarine. Honey can also be produced from GM rapeseed. German food surveillance authorities discovered as much as a third of the total pollen present in Canadian honey may be from GM pollen. In fact, some honey products from Canada were also discovered to have pollen from GM rapeseed.
8. Dairy products - It has been discovered that 22 percent of cows in the U.S. were injected with recombinant (genetically modified) bovine growth hormone (rbGH). This Monsanto created hormone artificially forces cows to increase their milk production by 15 percent. Milk from cows treated with this milk inducing hormone contains increased levels of IGF-1 (insulin growth factors-1). Humans also have IGF-1 in their system. Scientists have expressed concerns that increased levels of IGF-1 in humans have been associated with colon and breast cancer.
9. Potatoes - Mice fed with potatoes engineered with Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki Cry 1 were found to have toxins in their system. Despite claims to the contrary, this shows that Cry1 toxin was stable in the mouse gut. When the health risks were revealed, it sparked a debate.
10. Peas - Peas that have been genetically modified have been found to cause immune responses in mice and possibly even in humans. A gene from kidney beans was inserted into the peas creating a protein that functions as a pesticide.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Green Solutions
California Solar Energy: Bill Would Provide Renewable Rooftops To Poor Communities
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/solar-rooftops-sought-poor-communities-15746
A bill [PDF] before the California Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce this month seeks to equalize renewable energy installation in the state by promoting small-scale solar rooftops in the disadvantaged communities.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1990_bill_20120329_amended_asm_v98.pdf
What have we learned about cheap energy?
There's not a free and fair market for energy anywhere on earth. The reason Germany's solar industry is failing and America's natural gas 'fracking' business is thriving is because the markets are rigged that way.
The majority of Americans still don't know what fracking is. I wonder about the percentage of Canadians who do know.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/blogs/what-have-we-learned-about-cheap-energy
Vermont Is Helping to Lead the Nation in Transforming U.S. Energy System
Vermont can provide a model for America and Canada and lead the world to a more sustainable and secure energy future.
According to a recent U.S. Labor Department estimate, Vermont leads the nation in green jobs per capita. That’s one reason Vermont’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation.
Of the $1 billion spent every year to heat our homes and buildings in Vermont, 80 percent of that money goes out of state and in some cases to other nations that may not have our best interests in mind. By comparison, 80 percent of what we invest in energy efficiency stays in Vermont to purchase local goods and services and create jobs.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-bernie-sanders/vermont-is-helping-to-lea_b_1435672.html
Solar power station in Spain works at night
Spain’s famous thermosolar power station, the Gemasolar, produces power round the clock and the entire year. Whether it is night or daytime; a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Gemasolar generates energy, thanks to its advanced storage and energy gathering systems. The thermosolar station, which situates in the plains of Andalusia, features 2,600 solar mirrors with the entire build spreading out in 120 square meters.
http://www.ecofriend.com/spains-gemasolar-thermosolar-station-generates-power-night.html
Waste Water Treatment
Green Solutions to Waste Water Treatment
http://inhabitat.com/living-machines-turning-wastewater-clean-with-plants/
Resembling something like a tropical forest, John Todd’s attractive solution to waste-water management uses plants to clean up water. Consisting of a series of ecosystems that work together to break down water contaminants, Todd’s approach offers a natural and eco-friendly alternative to costly traditional water treatment plants.
And here
http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=1984
Dr. John Todd - Founder, John Todd Ecological Design on Eco-Machines
TEDxWoodsHole - Jonathan Todd - Sustaining Life: Ecological Design and Water Reuse
Water is the basis of all life, and our planet faces deepening challenges related to water purity and availability. Jonathan Todd will discuss advanced ecological design projects, including future directions of sustainable wastewater and water management. This will include harvesting the carbon and nutrients from wastewater and converting them to energy and new resources. He will evaluate the promise of natural systems technologies, especially in their ability to break down endocrine disruptors in wastewater. The aesthetics of ecological design in relation to decentralized storm and wastewater systems on a neighborhood scale will be explored. And, finally, Todd will propose a cultural and technological paradigm shift for the management of our vital water resources.
In 1995, after 15 years working on governmental development and engineering projects around the world, Jonathan Todd accepted his father's invitation to help shape the vision of John Todd Ecological Design, the company John founded in 1989. Today, Jonathan works closely with each client in the early phases of a project, overseeing the detailed execution of priorities while managing the work of the company's project and engineering teams. Most importantly, Jonathan works closely with John Todd to ensure the completion of each project meets with both the progressive vision of his father and the client's specifications, aesthetic and standards. Jonathan has a keen interest in developing sustainable solutions for refugee populations throughout the world.
FOOD
Controlling Our Food
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/controlling-our-food.html
Water
Water Conservation: Celebrate World Water Day!
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/12-good-magazine-water.html
Future of Water
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/future-of-water.html
Why You Absolutely Must Personally Treat Your Own Water
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/why-you-absolutely-must-personally.html
10 Reasons Our Shallow Fresh Water Supply is in Deep Trouble
http://www.activistpost.com/2010/09/10-reasons-our-fresh-water-supply-is-in_12.html
http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/solar-rooftops-sought-poor-communities-15746
A bill [PDF] before the California Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce this month seeks to equalize renewable energy installation in the state by promoting small-scale solar rooftops in the disadvantaged communities.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1990_bill_20120329_amended_asm_v98.pdf
What have we learned about cheap energy?
There's not a free and fair market for energy anywhere on earth. The reason Germany's solar industry is failing and America's natural gas 'fracking' business is thriving is because the markets are rigged that way.
The majority of Americans still don't know what fracking is. I wonder about the percentage of Canadians who do know.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/blogs/what-have-we-learned-about-cheap-energy
Vermont Is Helping to Lead the Nation in Transforming U.S. Energy System
Vermont can provide a model for America and Canada and lead the world to a more sustainable and secure energy future.
According to a recent U.S. Labor Department estimate, Vermont leads the nation in green jobs per capita. That’s one reason Vermont’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation.
Of the $1 billion spent every year to heat our homes and buildings in Vermont, 80 percent of that money goes out of state and in some cases to other nations that may not have our best interests in mind. By comparison, 80 percent of what we invest in energy efficiency stays in Vermont to purchase local goods and services and create jobs.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-bernie-sanders/vermont-is-helping-to-lea_b_1435672.html
Solar power station in Spain works at night
Spain’s famous thermosolar power station, the Gemasolar, produces power round the clock and the entire year. Whether it is night or daytime; a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Gemasolar generates energy, thanks to its advanced storage and energy gathering systems. The thermosolar station, which situates in the plains of Andalusia, features 2,600 solar mirrors with the entire build spreading out in 120 square meters.
http://www.ecofriend.com/spains-gemasolar-thermosolar-station-generates-power-night.html
Waste Water Treatment
Green Solutions to Waste Water Treatment
http://inhabitat.com/living-machines-turning-wastewater-clean-with-plants/
Resembling something like a tropical forest, John Todd’s attractive solution to waste-water management uses plants to clean up water. Consisting of a series of ecosystems that work together to break down water contaminants, Todd’s approach offers a natural and eco-friendly alternative to costly traditional water treatment plants.
And here
http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=1984
Dr. John Todd - Founder, John Todd Ecological Design on Eco-Machines
TEDxWoodsHole - Jonathan Todd - Sustaining Life: Ecological Design and Water Reuse
Water is the basis of all life, and our planet faces deepening challenges related to water purity and availability. Jonathan Todd will discuss advanced ecological design projects, including future directions of sustainable wastewater and water management. This will include harvesting the carbon and nutrients from wastewater and converting them to energy and new resources. He will evaluate the promise of natural systems technologies, especially in their ability to break down endocrine disruptors in wastewater. The aesthetics of ecological design in relation to decentralized storm and wastewater systems on a neighborhood scale will be explored. And, finally, Todd will propose a cultural and technological paradigm shift for the management of our vital water resources.
In 1995, after 15 years working on governmental development and engineering projects around the world, Jonathan Todd accepted his father's invitation to help shape the vision of John Todd Ecological Design, the company John founded in 1989. Today, Jonathan works closely with each client in the early phases of a project, overseeing the detailed execution of priorities while managing the work of the company's project and engineering teams. Most importantly, Jonathan works closely with John Todd to ensure the completion of each project meets with both the progressive vision of his father and the client's specifications, aesthetic and standards. Jonathan has a keen interest in developing sustainable solutions for refugee populations throughout the world.
FOOD
Controlling Our Food
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/controlling-our-food.html
Water
Water Conservation: Celebrate World Water Day!
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/12-good-magazine-water.html
Future of Water
http://diane-bystrom-food-water-issues.blogspot.ca/2011/07/future-of-water.html
Why You Absolutely Must Personally Treat Your Own Water
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/why-you-absolutely-must-personally.html
10 Reasons Our Shallow Fresh Water Supply is in Deep Trouble
http://www.activistpost.com/2010/09/10-reasons-our-fresh-water-supply-is-in_12.html
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