PLANET IN PERIL

Earth Institute Increased investment in agriculture is critical. In a world confronting anticipated increases in food demand arising from a growing world population and changing diets, as well as potential decreases in food supply due to climatic changes and water scarcity, agricultural investment will prove crucial to addressing food security needs in the future. Story here.                     Two huge tractors and seeders,  probably worth about $2M, stand ready to begin work in Manitoba, Canada. PinP photo.

New Internationalist That South American country has fought off big agribusiness and promoted agroecology, explains Nick Dearden. More here. North America, on the other hand, embraces "Big Ag,"  with its warts, excesses, hazards and all. PinP photo.

NATIONAL OBSERVER A potato-harvester in central Manitoba.  Commercial potato producers are known for their  heavy and frequent use of pesticides. PinP photo. Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency allowed the agricultural industry to continue using an “unacceptable” pesticide on potato crops for more than a decade after concluding it had high acute toxicity, said a new audit tabled in Parliament on Tuesday. Details here. RELATED:  "Agency Allowed Dangerous Pesticides on Crops For Years, Says Audit" "Are Pesticide Regulators on the Take?"

CommonDreams As pipeline approval process faces overhaul, new federal audit shows "systemic" failings within Canada's National Energy Board. More here.

NATIONAL OBSERVER A cousin of the wolf, the coyote. PinP photo. Some are being targeted to be shot from helicopters as part of a controversial government effort to protect a dwindling caribou population.  More here.

Georges Monbiot - the Guardian PinP photo. I see the people on trial for occupying a runway at Heathrow as democratic heroes. More here.