Ecology
High Risk of Food Shortages without Pesticides, Says Chemical Giant
The world is likely to face food shortages within 20 years if pesticides and genetically modified crops are shunned, according to the head of the world’s biggest pesticide manufacturer. J Erik Fyrwald, CEO of Syngenta, also said the technologies to…
Antarctic Ice Melting Faster than ever, Studies Show
Ice in the Antarctic is melting at a record-breaking rate and the subsequent sea rises could have catastrophic consequences for cities around the world, according to two new studies. A report led by scientists in the UK and US found…
Starbucks Urged to Cut Ties With Hong Kong Chain That Still Serves Shark Fin
Starbucks is being pressured to cut ties with popular Hong Kong restaurant chain Maxim’s Caterers Limited over its offering of dishes with shark fin. Maxim’s said it phased out the controversial product in 2017 but undercover investigators with the wildlife…
McDonald’s to Switch to Paper Straws in UK after Customer Campaign
McDonald’s will end the use of plastic straws in its British restaurants next year, after nearly half a million people called on the company to ditch them. The decision by the US fast-food chain to switch from plastic to paper…
Hawaii Bans Use of Toxic Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
In a win for public health, Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a bill banning the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to increased risk of learning disabilities, lower IQs, developmental delays, and behavior problems in children. “Hawaii…
One-Fifth of Britain’s Mammals Could Be Extinct in 10 Years
One-fifth of UK mammals could go extinct within a decade, according to the most comprehensive report in 20 years released Wednesday by The Mammal Society and Natural England. The report found that the Scottish wildcat, black rat and greater mouse-eared…
Majority of UK Public Want to Bin Fruit and Veg Packaging
Around 92% of the British public want to get rid of fruit and vegetable packaging or make it recyclable. That’s the suggestion from a new survey conducted by D-CYFOR, which shows 68% of the UK public believe supermarkets should only…