Category: Sustainable Settlement and Agriculture
The Generator is founded on the simple premise that we should leave the world in better condition than we found it. The news items in this category outline the attempts people have made to do this. They are mainly concerned with our food supply and settlement patterns. The impact that the human race has on the planet.
admin /11 October, 2008
September 23 this year marks an unfortunate milestone: the day humanity will have used all the resources nature will generate this year, according to Global Footprint Network data. Earth Overshoot Day marks the day when humanity begins living beyond its ecological means. Beyond that day, we move into the ecological equivalent of deficit spending, utilizing resources at a rate faster than what the planet can regenerate in a calendar year.
Globally, we now now require the equivalent of 1.4 planets to support our lifestyles. But of course, we only have one Earth. The result is that our supply of natural resources — like trees and fish — continues to shrink, while our waste, primarily carbon dioxide, accumulates.
admin /26 September, 2008
Soaking rain which dried up dust from this week’s wind storms is hoped to reinvigorate some confidence in the season for farmers at this year’s Henty Machinery National Field Days.
Thousands of people are expected to put the field days to the test over the three days and despite ongoing drought conditions organisers are hoping for a strong turn out this year.
admin /26 September, 2008
GREGOR HEARD,The Land The party may be over for high grain futures prices – due to the wider economic crisis, which may see some managed funds lessen their exposure to all markets, including the soft commodities market. ProFarmer managing director Richard Koch is warning farmers to brace themselves for the possibility of index funds to Continue Reading →
admin /22 September, 2008
Sydney, Sept 22nd, 2008: A Newspoll survey released today shows that 90% of Australians want better labelling of food products that could contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients (1)
According to the survey, when asked if food products from GM crops and animals fed with GM feed should or should not be labelled, 90% of the respondents said “it should be labelled”. Only 2% of the respondents said they were more likely to buy a product “if they knew” it contained GM ingredients, as opposed to majority of 54% who said they were less likely to buy it.Â
admin /21 September, 2008
From the CSIRO A team of Australian scientists has joined forces in a collaboration that will utilise state-of-the-art technology and materials science to determine the molecular structure of the protein components in some of our most common foods. This research will help food manufacturers understand the links between the nanostructure of foods containing protein and Continue Reading →
admin /21 September, 2008
NEIL LYON in The Land
LANDHOLDERS determined to protect the rich farmlands of the Liverpool Plains from the threat of coal mining took their fight to the doorstep of a mining industry conference in Gunnedah on Tuesday.
More than 300 protesters rallied outside the conference, calling for government and the mining sector to address their concerns.
In their sights were mining giant, BHP Billiton, and the NSW Government who, they say, have failed to acknowledge the potential for proposed coal mines to irreversibly damage some of Australia’s most productive farming land.
