Thursday, March 24, 2011

World Food Prices on the Rise — Expect That to Stay the Same

Planet Save - Mar 24 '11
Worldwide, high crude oil prices, increasing extreme weather events, population growth and economic development of poorer countries, crop-based biofuels, political conflict and unrest in the Middle East, and slowing crop yield growth are all factors contributing to rising food prices. Details here.

Public Distrusts Climate Science due to Lack of Understanding

Joshua S Hill - PlanetSave Mar '11

Despite a large majority of scientists with intimate knowledge of the planet’s climate agreeing that climate change is real and human-induced, the public still persists in distrusting the majority at the hands of a few wayward sceptics. Details here.

Healthy Food At School – The Laotian Way

23 Mar'11 - United Nations
VIENTIANE – For the first time in Lao PDR, close to 1,000 primary school children will receive a healthy and balanced school lunch prepared from foods bought at their local market. Details here.
A Canadian farmers' 
market. l.p. photo

Canada's Second Human "Mad Cow" Case Likely Not Caught In This Country

Mar 24'11 Manitoba Co-Operator
The person believed to be Canada's second-ever case of the type of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmitted by BSE-infected beef is seen as unlikely to have picked it up in this country. Details here.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Late Start Seen for Seeding on Prairies

Mar 22'11 By: Dwayne Klassen - Commodity News Service Canada
 Producers in Western Canada who hope to get an early start to seeding will be disappointed, given that the weather is not expected to be very co-operative over the next couple of months. Details here.
A soggy, unharvested canola field in 
western Manitoba. Fall 2010. l.p. photo

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The UN Secretary-General's Message on World Water Day

United Nations - New York, 22 March 2011 
The reservoir behind the Shellmouth Dam, western Manitoba, CA
As the world charts a more sustainable future, the crucial interplay among water, food and energy is one of the most formidable challenges we face. Details here.

Saskatchewan Launches Spring Flooding Website

Mar 21'11 - By: Staff - MB Co-Operator  
The Saskatchewan government has launched a website tying together flood and weather forecasts, runoff data and other information to get the public prepared for this spring. Details here.
 The bridge over Lake of the Prairies, 
on the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border. 
l.p. photo