Global meat production and consumption have increased rapidly in recent decades, with harmful effects on the environment and public health as well as on the economy, according to research done by Worldwatch Institute’s Nourishing the Planet project for Vital Signs Online. Worldwide meat production has tripled over the last four decades and increased 20 percent in just the last 10 years. Meanwhile, industrial countries are consuming growing amounts of meat, nearly double the quantity in developing countries. Read the full story

We are all aware, or at least we should be aware, that our meat production industries are not helpful to our environment. Now we have more information about exactly how bad it is and it isn’t going to make the meat eaters amoungst us happy to see this! Read the full story

Kept a secret among the Bolivian tribes for thousands of years, quinoa or the ‘grain of the gods’ has recently become a highly sought-after food in the West. Jemma Nicoll reports. Read the full story

Barefoot College has an effective educational model for rural development—educate and empower those people who care about the local community most to be able to make a difference. Barefoot founder Sanjit “Bunker” Roy, he has found that the best candidates are women, and often they are grandmothers. Read the full story

This edition of the MADGE Digest talks about a bee invasion in Queensland, GM Free Food Guide for Kids, Patent Law and what it means and a round up! Read on… Read the full story

Well, OK, let’s see if there are 33, but there aren’t films, just thoughts and ideas. But I couldn’t resist the pun and apologise to Glenn Gould and the fine people who made that wonderful documentary about a great Canadian pianist. Read the full story

I know at times we get caught out without our reusable bottles, or you may be trying to cut back on buying bottled water altogether and just starting a plastic free journey but really we need to be more aware especially now that the Environment Working Group have released their findings about what’s in your bottled water – besides water? Read the full story

The Maqui berry is yet another South American wonder food, and has at last come to the Western market following in the footsteps of the açai and pomegranate for its high beneficial properties. Read the full story

Yum! Brands, Inc. is planning to more than double its number of KFC outlets in Africa to 1,200 by 2014, according to the recent Wall Street Journal article “KFC Savors Potential in Africa.” Author Julie Jargon explains how Yum—whose brands include Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell—is already well established in South Africa and is expanding to Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, and several other African countries. Read the full story

The wolfberry is another name for the Goji berry and we used to know these as boxthorn bushes when we were kids.  Goji juice is another of those ‘fad’ drinks on sale at ridiculous prices at health food stores or through party plans but it shouldn’t be as expensive as it is. Read the full story

In this week’s episode, Nourishing the Planet research intern, Elena Davert, explains how, in Kenya, the potentially devastating invasive plant, the water hyacinth, is being transformed into a boon for local livelihoods. Read the full story

What does the Australian Certified Organic Label really mean?

Organic produce is grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMOs with a focus on environmentally sustainable practices.

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The 7.30 Report covered the story of Smartstax, a GM corn with 8 new genes.

Six allow the plant to produce toxins that kill certain insects, two genes allow the plant to be sprayed with herbicides that would kill other plants. Read the full story

Greenpeace and True Food are defending our rights for GE free food with their new campaign called “Spliced Bread”. This is a must read for Australians to understand and be aware of the threat of genetically engineered wheat in Australia. Read the full story

I first saw a candle nut when I was visiting an expert in Bush Tucker.  Read the full story

Time to join the revolution! Sign up for Bike to Work day tomorrow and be a part of a different commuting experience! Read the full story

The United States Food and Drug Administration are close to approving the release of genetically modified salmon to the American market. If approved, it will be the first genetically modified animal to be sold as food to consumers. Read the full story

Shea butter has been the biggest deal in cosmetics lately but here’s a new contender!  Illipe Butter! Read the full story