It’s summertime and the living is easy for algae that can be hazardous to human health. Climate heating and agricultural pollution are making the problem worse. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explores useful sources of data for tracking trends. Plus, tips on how to use the data for local reporting on the risks posed by this seasonal threat.
"As northern snakehead and blue catfish continue to proliferate, the state is trying to get more people to eat them."
"Congress might be better off leaving an already overdue five-year farm bill unfinished in 2024, Arkansas Republican Sen. John Boozman said Tuesday."
"Breakthrough genetic research at a Massachusetts lab could save the world’s vanishing kelp forests—and support American kelp farming, too."
"Climate change is escalating a national crisis, leaving farmworkers with empty plates and mounting costs."
"Lawmakers approved spending bills for agriculture this week, but bickered over environmental regulations and the lack of progress on the bill."
"The Fair Food Program works to boost farmworker safety by appealing directly to major brands and consumers".
Pesticides are a major environmental and public health issue — harming vulnerable human populations, as well as contributing to declines in insect populations and even the birds that feed on them. The latest Reporter’s Toolbox explores an invaluable government database that reports estimates of county-level use of a wide array of these chemicals, but which recently faced severe cutbacks. Read more about the Pesticide National Synthesis Project.
"The world’s biggest banks and investors are continuing to funnel billions of dollars to carbon-intensive industrial livestock companies, undermining their own pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fueling an ongoing boom in meat and milk production that threatens global climate goals."
"Too hot, too dry, too wet; as extreme weather threatens food security, the race is on to get new seed varieties in the ground"
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