Tanzanian farmers are facing heavy prison sentences if they continue their traditional seed exchange

In order to receive development assistance, Tanzania has to give Western agribusiness full freedom and give enclosed protection for patented seeds. “Eighty percent of the seeds are being shared and sold in an informal system between neighbors, friends and family. The new law criminalizes the practice in Tanzania,” says Michael Farrelly of TOAM, an organic farming movement in Tanzania.

Nitrogen emissions along global livestock supply chains

Global livestock supply chains have significantly altered nitrogen (N) flows over past years, thereby threatening environmental and human health. Here, we provide a disaggregated assessment of the livestock sector’s impacts on global N flows and emissions, including international trade. The results show that the sector currently emits 65 Tg N yr⁻¹, equivalent to one-third of current human-induced N emissions and sufficient to meet the planetary boundary for N. Of that amount, 66% is allocated to Asia and 68% is associated with feed production. Most emissions originate from locally produced animal-sourced food, although N emissions embedded in international trade are significant for some importing countries. Given the magnitude of its impacts and its central role in both domestic and international N challenges, the livestock sector urgently requires a global initiative to tackle N pollution while supporting food security.

We’re Thinking Over Why We Kill Clover

Clovers — specifically Trifolium repens — have for centuries been domesticated ground cover plants. Clover is a legume, in the same plant family as peas, beans, and peanuts. Its common names include white clover, white Dutch clover, Dutch clover and ladino clover. While it is native to the Mediterranean, it was introduced into the United States early in the colonial days. By 1747, it was common enough that Benjamin Franklin noted red clover’s value in improving pastures. Today, it grows readily from Canada to Texas, from Florida to Alaska.

Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know (or have forgotten) this fact. Most won’t see a useful plant as we might see in its close relatives — the same goes for red clover, Trifolium pratense, white clover’s bushier cousin.

Why is Animal Rebellion standing with UK Farmers

Animal Rebellion is standing in solidarity with UK Farmers against the new Agricultural Bill 2020.

You’re right, this is shocking. Why are we standing with the very farmers who keep the animal agricultural system going?

The Agricultural Bill 2020 is a HUGE step backward for our food system and food security.

Myths of organic farming

A few years ago Anthony Trewavas, Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology at Edinburgh University, published, in the prestigious scientific journal Nature, an article entitled Urban Myths of Organic Farming, in which he tried to discredit organic farming on the basis that, according to him, it did not promote any more biodiversity than conventional farming, that it used just as much energy as conventional farming and, most extraordinary of all, that trace quantities of toxic pesticides in our food were actually good for us!

Most people will probably regard these claims as absurd. But at the same time it has to be acknowledged that there really are some myths associated with organic farming

Urgent action is needed nationwide as Japan becomes a hotspot for insect loss.

The Ramsar Convention for Wetland Conservation describes rice paddies as human-made wetlands important for biodiversity, yet drastic action beyond Japan’s few Ramsar-designated sites is likely to be needed to recover disappearing birds and insects.

The most well-known and culturally important species characteristic of Japan’s “satoyama”, or traditional rice-farming landscape, are precarious. Two bird species, the oriental white stork and Japanese crested ibis, are the subject of limited reintroduction programs following their extinction in Japan.

Growing for health: goji berry 

European Rewilding Network welcomes its first Irish rewilding initiative

The reserve is pretty much left untouched, with natural processes left to reshape the landscape. There’s no drainage, and areas of grassland are left to be grazed by wild animals, such as deer. At Dunsany we never mass cut anything, but will sometimes trim some of the weaker trees in new plantations to allow room for some of the stronger ones to grow better. 
The vision is wilderness! A mix of habitats with flourishing wild nature.

Prevent Fresh Water Pollution

Only 17% of England’s rivers are in good ecological condition according to European environmental legislation.

Agriculture, predominantly animal agriculture, contributes up to 60% of nitrate pollution and 30% of phosphate pollution in the UK, making animal farming the biggest factor towards the destruction of freshwater bodies in the UK.

In 2009, the government said it was committed to tackling the impact of agricultural pollution on freshwater bodies in the UK by 2015, yet in 2020, no progress has been made.

These polluted rivers with low oxygen levels have been proven to be more susceptible to the harmful effects of climate warming, creating a catalyst effect of further degradation to the ecosystems both beneath the water and in the surrounding regions.

Equally, it's estimated that if all rivers can be healthy within the next 10-15 years, there would be an estimated 8.5 billion pound benefit to the economy. This is money that can be used to further tackle climate collapse, through subsidising the production of plant-based proteins for example.

We need change!

We need to hold the government responsible for its inaction.

We need to transition to a plant-based food system that is less land and resource-intensive, and will help reduce and reverse the current levels of ecocide and climate collapse.

Use the link in our bio to see what you can do and join us on the 1st of September at the London Rebellion!

#animalrebellion #extinctionrebellion #climatejustice #animaljustice #plantbasedfoodsystem #riverpollution #rebellion #foodsystemchangenow