Community-Supported Agriculture: A Way to Connect People and Nature
Our latest selection of articles from New Zealand and around the world on environmental management and sustainability. Click here to subscribe.
Welcome to another issue of SnippETS, where we again showcase a number of interesting developments in the sustainability and climate change space.
Community initiatives are increasingly improving health and environmental outcomes. From community garden initiatives in the United States, tree planting for climate mitigation and enhanced food production to upcycling of food waste byproduct, to create new innovative businesses models in terms of both economic and environmental resilience, through cooperative enterprise.
The connection between nature and business is highlighted by initiatives in the UK. In some cases marginal land is being reverted to its natural state through rewilding, while biodiversity credits for new building - similar to a carbon credit, and requirements for biodiversity reporting are taking hold. In the US new municipal standards are requiring buildings materials to be recycled and repurposed.
The unintended social equity consequences of climate change are becoming evident through investment in solar favoring owned rather than rented property in Australia, the often-limited options for climate migration for the elderly. Financial incentivisation to address transport emissions in Europe sometimes disproportionately disadvantages the poorest, resulting in protests and civil disobedience. Perhaps BYD - maker of the award winning Atto the NZ car of the year - may address some of these inequalities of climate policy with their new budget EV which is set to disrupt the market.
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Here is the full list of articles...
This article highlights the urgent need for sustainable agriculture amidst environmental pressures and climate challenges. It introduces Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) as an innovative solution connecting farmers and consumers, fostering environmental stewardship, and promoting community engagement. CSA farms mitigate risks, promote agroecological practices, and offer economic opportunities while enhancing mental well-being and biodiversity appreciation. Despite being relatively unknown and sometimes costlier, CSA models offer inclusive approaches to ensure accessibility and sustainability, advocating for a shift towards more environmentally-aware farming practices. Read more…
In Tucson, Arizona, initiatives are underway to combat extreme heat and food insecurity by planting trees, particularly on the shadeless, low-income south side of the city. Through projects like planting mesquite trees, communities aim to create "food forests," offering shade, access to fresh produce, and opportunities for foraging. While not a sole solution, these efforts, part of a national trend, address environmental and social challenges, providing both food security and ecological benefits through urban forestry and community engagement. Read more…
Startups are turning food waste into tasty solutions, addressing America's massive food-waste problem where nearly 40% of all annual food goes uneaten. Companies like Pulp Pantry and Spare Food Co are repurposing surplus ingredients into snacks and recipe boosters, saving tons of nutritious produce. The Upcycled Food Association, with 93 certified companies, forecasts a $97bn market by 2031. While startups alone won't solve the crisis, their efforts raise consumer awareness and complement broader initiatives needed for systemic change in food waste management. Read more…
‘Does rewilding sort climate change? Yes!’, according to an UK expert who says nature can save planet and not harm farming! Biodiversity campaigner Isabella Tree says wild areas work ‘hand in glove’ with food production as her Sussex estate boasts return of endangered species. Tree’s farm was left to rewild after the cows and machinery were sold off 20 plus years ago. The results have been spectacular. Of course, not everywhere can be rewilded, we will always need land for food production, but rewilding can provide protection. Read more…
England is launching a biodiversity credit scheme this week that attempts to force all new road and housebuilding projects to benefit nature, rather than damage it. The “nature market”, called biodiversity net gain (BNG), means all new building projects must achieve a 10% net gain in biodiversity or habitat. If a woodland is destroyed by a road, for example, another needs to be recreated. This can happen either on site or elsewhere. The scheme will make people think about ecosystem impact of new developments. Read more…
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), one of the leading sustainability reporting standard setters, has published a revised version of its biodiversity standard: “GRI 101.” It will help companies reporting through GRI understand and disclose their biodiversity impacts. The new requirements will impact companies across a range of sectors, including food and agriculture, mining and oil and other industries with large land and water footprints. GRI’s standards define eight categories that companies with significant biodiversity footprints must report on, including biodiversity policies, commitments, and impact management approaches. Read more…
Australia has the world’s highest per capita installed solar capacity, but the benefits of solar PV have eluded renters and those in social housing, with analysts estimating that only 4% of rental homes have solar power. There is a growing realisation that installing solar on social housing and rentals - which make up more than 30% of properties - is essential to meeting clean energy targets and addressing energy poverty. There are now efforts being made to encourage landlords to invest in Solar PV using incentives such as grants, rebates and low-interest loans. Read more…
With the impacts from extreme weather events only becoming more evident, community discussions have now moved on from “Gosh the rain is like a torrent; yet another hurricane and the heat is unbearable”, to accepting climate adaptation is inescapable. This is likely to see people shifting away from the coast to inland communities, where the risk of flooding is less. But not everyone has the freedom to readily move, with those who are older, without job prospects, or a lack of means to move likely to be left behind. Read more…
Change is always challenging, and we have seen plenty in recent times, whether it’s due to Covid, inflation, conflict or climate change. As Europe's cities seek to cut the emissions fueling global warming and clear fume-filled air, one solution - restrictions on polluting cars - has sparked widespread protests, led to violent acts of vandalism and inflamed conspiracy theories. With poor quality air being linked to serious illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular problems and lung cancer, why the protests against measures that will improve their lives? Poor communication or disinformation? Read more…
Globally, the act of erecting new buildings and tearing down old ones consumes roughly a third of all resources extracted from the environment every year and produces just under a third of all the world’s waste. But several cities across the U.S. have begun to push the construction sector toward practices that keep materials out of landfill, mandating that old buildings be taken apart instead of demolished. The goal: Reuse parts of old buildings in new ones and recycle the rest. Read more…
Meet the 'corolla killer' BYD's new $US15,000 EV sedan. In the words of one consultant, the new BYD Qin Plus EV is the car that makes EVs way cheaper than ICE vehicles and blows open the mainstream market. BYD, which is challenging Tesla as the biggest EV maker in the world, says it’s “officially opening a new era where electricity is lower than oil.” A New Zealand release date has not been announced yet, but hopefully it won’t be too far away. Read more…
This week we have the following innovation articles we hope you find interesting:
Hydrology Report - 29 February 2024
Electricity Price Index - 29 February 2024
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