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December 5, 2016

Hear from Frances Moore Lappe and Adam Eichen about their forthcoming book, their views on democracy, and recent democracy victories around the country in their recent interview with Duncan Campbell on KGNU's Living Dialogues.

A Progressive Agenda for Renegotiating NAFTA

By Tim Wise, Land and Food Rights Program

During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada, or withdraw the United States from the pact.

Although no one at Trump Tower so far has asked me for advice (and I’m not waiting by my phone for a call), I know a little bit about this subject: Eight years ago I...READ MORE to find out!

Feb 23, 2017

Framingham State University
with Frances Moore Lappé

Democracy Hero: Rep. John Sarbanes (Part Two)

December 5, 2016

Democracy Hero: Rep. John Sarbanes (Part Two)

December 5, 2016

Surprising Facts

In several peer-reviewed studies, mammals fed genetically modified corn and soy developed kidney and liver problems that could mark the onset of chronic disease.

The release of GMOs into the environment can cause unintended environmental and commercial harm, including documented GMO genetic contamination of other plants.

64 countries around the world require GMO ingredients to be labeled - the US is not one of them.

93% of Americans favor labeling of GMO ingredients but the biotech industry has spent millions to block mandatory labeling initiatives.

Three chemical corporations acquired more than 200 seed companies from 1996 to 2008 - they control over half of the world's commercial seed market.

Monsanto's patented genes are in 95% of all US soybeans and 80% of all US corn.

The cost per acre of soybean and corn seeds (most of which is genetically modified) has tripled since 1996 in the US.

Every $5 in food stamps means $9 in economic activity.

Sydney, Australia’s Chief Development Officer says the city plans to reach 100% renewable power, & heating, and cooling by 2030.

There are still more libraries than McDonald’s locations in the United States

If minimum wage had risen at same rate as US productivity growth, it would now be over $17/hour.

In 30 countries food is recognized as a constitutional “right.” Guess which country’s not one of them.

80% of the waste generated by a typical school could be recycled or composted.

High-flying kites tethered to generators can produce enough energy to power eight homes for a year.

To boost political participation law requires Brazil high schoolers to study philosophy for 2 hours a week!

Beef production uses 35 energy calories for 1 food calorie, while plants use only 3.

Don't worry, be healthy! Harvard scientists find that optimism helps the heart!

In 12 years, Brazil's 4th largest city Belo Horizonte cut its under-five mortality rate by 73%.

Young people in the US drove 23% fewer miles in 2009 than the same age group did in 2001.

Soil harbors 1/4 of all known biodiversity on earth, and 80% of its biomass.

Children on ecologically managed farms have fewer allergies.

Ninety corporations have caused nearly half of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions since 1986.

Brazil's deforestation rate has fallen by 70% since 2005 and their GHG emissions fell 39% between 2005-10

Iron deficiency anaemia still affects 25% of the global population, but mostly pregnant women and infants.

Up to 29% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions come from the production and consumption of food.

Hectares of organic agricultural land has multiplied by 2.3 globally in the past 15 years

40% of all food produced in the United States, worth $165 billion, goes uneaten.

Because urine is so rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, Amsterdam has started to fertilize its rooftop gardens with it!

Alternative "green manures" have been found to provide up to 70% more nitrogen to agricultural land than synthetic fertilizers.

The USDA reports that tilling soil is so devastating to essential soil microbes that even normal rainfall can have disastrous effects on their community health and structure.

Acreage devoted to anti-erosion practices such as "no-till" farming has increased 3 fold since 1999, now accounting for an area the size of Venezuela

Even though perennial crops would eliminate many of the environmental drawbacks of monocultures of annual crops, they remain largely unused by the agriculture industry.

Of the 170 teragrams of nitrogen introduced into agroecosystems annually in the form of fertilizer, only 45-55% is recovered in crop biomass

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