The Bigger Picture, 2017-2018

Ontario's agri-food sector has a significant labour shortage and the situation is expected to get worse.Ifpress.com

Millions in losses a day owing to failed Mattala Rajapaksa Int’l Airport

Publication Date: October 21, 2017

White Elephant Dept. (again; see also July 5, 2017): Apparently seven companies re interested in investing in this chronic loss-maker -- the world's emptiest international airport.News 1st

Warning of “ecological Armageddon” after dramatic plunge in insect numbers

Publication Date: October 18, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment

"Insectageddon"?The Guardian Oct. 18

World Food Day: Conflict and climate change lead to rise in global hunger

Publication Date: October 16, 2017

From 2005 to 2015, world hunger gradually decreased. However, a recent U. N. report says the numbers rose in 2016, largely due to conflict and climate change.University of Guelph

On Ontario grow-ops and greenhouses

Publication Date: October 16, 2017

Former Ontario Agriculture Minister Ted McMeekin comments on where marijuana greenhouses should be built: “You shouldn’t be building greenhouses on class 1 agriculture land… you should do it on class three or four land where you can’t grow anything ...".HamiltonNews.com

Conflict and climate change lead to a rise in world hunger

Publication Date: October 16, 2017

From 2005 to 2015, world hunger gradually decreased. However, a recent U. N. report says the numbers rose again in 2016, largely due to conflict and climate change.University of Guelph

New airplane biofuels plan would destroy rainforests

Publication Date: October 12, 2017

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment

The aviation industry is aggressively pursuing use of biofuels to offset its explosive growth in greenhouse gas emissions. Critics say the amount of carbon offsets required by the aviation sector is bad news for our rainforests.The Guardian

Why no one can prevent Elon Musk from dwarfing the airline industry

Publication Date: October 11, 2017

Elon Musk has many big dreams. Two of his ideas are currently having an impact: Tesla may become a permanent disruptor in the automotive business, SpaceX is disrupting space satellite launch economics. He dreams his rockets can compete in the premium segment of the air passenger business. An interesting analysis of the commercial air passenger business.Hacker Noon

Ontario’s farming and food producers generate $30 billion annually

Publication Date: October 5, 2017

During the week before Thanksgiving, Ontario Agriculture Week celebrates Ontario's farmers and their contribution to our dinner tables and our economy.chathamdailynews.ca

Ontario, focus on waste diversion

Publication Date: October 5, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

In a hard-hitting report, Ontario's Environmental Commissioner says Ontario must get serious about keeping food waste out of landfill, and crack down on the huge quantities of business and institutional waste that goes to landfill. Food waste in landfills causes pollution and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.MM&D

Mid-air turbulence set to triple due to climate change

Publication Date: October 4, 2017

Fasten your seatbelt!The Telegrap

Aviation biofuels : How industry plans could lead to planes flying on palm oil

Publication Date: October 1, 2017

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

(Report) The aviation industry has been touting conversion to aircraft biofuels as the solution to their accelerating carbon emissions problem. Biofuelwatch reports that the industry's most viable feedstock today is palm oil. This threatens increased forest destruction and diversion of farmland from food production.biofuelwatch.org.uk

Report: The Illusion of Green Flying

Publication Date: October 1, 2017

This study decides that civil aviation's plans are the fastest way to fry the planet, and the solution is less air travel, not more.Finance & Trade Watch

Global carbon emissions stood still in 2016, offering climate hope

Publication Date: September 28, 2017

A one-year trend suggests we have reached peak global carbon dioxide emissions. This report says that concern is shifting to the accelerating demand in developing countries for meat protein, which increases methane, a far more significant contributor to global warming per tonne than carbon dioxide.The Guardian

Climate change could open new Canadian farmland to the plow

Publication Date: September 25, 2017

Will climate change bring new farmland into production in Canada's northern regions?Energyworld

Puerto Rico’s farms and farmers decimated by Maria

Publication Date: September 24, 2017

Hurricane Maria blew Puerto Rico's crops away. “A people without agriculture ... are a people without food.”New York Times

Swiss voters demonstrate appetite for food security

Publication Date: September 24, 2017

The Swiss approve a constitutional amendment to increase their local, sustainable food supply.SWI swissinfo.ch

Hurricane Irma path “lethal” to Florida crops

Publication Date: September 18, 2017

Hurricane Irma caused unprecedented losses in Florida's agricultural industry. Expect orange juice prices to go up.SunSentinel

World food takes root in Ontario

Publication Date: September 16, 2017

All about the demand for world foods in Ontario.thestar.com

No-frills Flair Airlines in for bumpy ride

Publication Date: September 12, 2017

Aviation sector economists warn that ultra-low-cost carriers will experience a turbulent ride.CBC News

Third of Earth’s soil acutely degraded due to agriculture

Publication Date: September 12, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

Yet another study (this one UN-backed) confirms that modern industrial agriculture is not a sustainable way to feed ourselves. Too much farm soil is being ruined. If the situation is to be improved, governments need to make smart choices.The Guardia

Canada JetLines launches low-fare “rebellion”

Publication Date: September 11, 2017

After years of talk, Canada Jetlines announces it will become the newest ultra-low-cost Canadian air carrier next year.SKIES

Farmers furious that Ottawa’s tax changes could make them uncompetitive

Publication Date: September 7, 2017

Our finance minister's current small-business tax change proposal may doom family farm businesses.Financial Post

Aviation’s climate-changing consequences

Publication Date: September 3, 2017

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment

An excellent discussion on the contribution of the civil aviation sector on greenhouse gas emissions.dailybreeze.com

Turning soils into sponges: how farmers can fight floods and droughts

Publication Date: September 1, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

Report shows how mixed-farming practices are the best way to combat farmland droughts and floods.Union of Concerned Scientists

Garneau vague on airport privatization plans

Publication Date: August 17, 2017

During his visit to Hamilton airport, Transport Minister Garneau was vague about airport privatization. The only thing he's certain about is that the Credit Suisse report he's received on this issue won’t be released. Hmmm.HamiltonNews.com

Endless wet weather batters Ontario

Publication Date: August 13, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

So far, it's been a bad year for Ontario's farmers.torontostar.newspaperdirec

Soil science can help save a hungry planet

Publication Date: August 12, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

Biotech firms are enhancing soil micro-organisms to increase food production.thejapantimes

Should we privatize Canada’s airports?

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Over the past two decades Canada sold most of its airports except for its 26 most important ones. Debate continues as to whether it should sell the rest.TVO: The Next Ontario

Aviation could consume a quarter of 1.5C carbon budget by 2050

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Carbon Brief, a UK-based website covering developments in climate science and policy, calculates that the remaining global carbon budget is 205 billion tonnes of CO2 to meet the aspirational 1.5 °C Paris goal. If the commercial aviation industry continues its "business as usual" 5% annual growth rate, it will consume 27% of this total budget by 2050. Even if the industry implements its "climate plan", it will still consume one fifth of our global carbon budget.CarbonBrief

North Country rural airports a boondoggle?

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

There’s strong pushback from rural America over a Trump administration plan to end a "temporary" forty-year-old program subsidizing airline service to small airports. Flight subsidies are as high as $1,000 per passenger.NCPR

Ontario asked to implement organic certification rules

Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Ontario is being asked to define what qualifies as certified organic food.CBC News / London

Arid summer leaves s. Sask. farmers facing “desperate situation”

Publication Date: August 6, 2017

Tags: Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

A "desperate situation" in our grain belt: South Saskatchewan farmers are experiencing the driest growing conditions since the Dirty ’30s.Globe and Mail

Much of Asia could be too hot it live in by 2100

Publication Date: August 2, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment

MIT study says that climate change could make much of South Asia too hot to inhabit by 2100. The area is home to a fifth of the world’s population.Reuters

We need to have the aviation conversation

Publication Date: August 1, 2017

Opinion writer in Norwich, England, says that we need to have a conversation about the aviation industry. The “predict and provide” planning model used by Norwich airport to justify expansion represents a desperate failure of leadership in response to climate change.The Norwich Radical

Report: Canada’s ag sector needs to innovate

Publication Date: August 1, 2017

A report from the Agricultural Institute of Canada says that the industry needs to more research and innovation and solutions to skilled labour shortages if it wants to remain competitive.Food in Canada

A food policy for Canada: massive interest

Publication Date: July 31, 2017

Canadians need sufficient access to affordable, nutritious, and safe food, which depends on sustainable management of our natural resources in a way that supports and grows our agriculture and food sector. With these goals in mind, the government is developing a National Food Policy, and has been overwhelmed by the response of Canadians wanting to share their views about food and the agri-food sector. Originally, one public meeting was scheduled; six more are now planned. The online public comment survey deadline was extended.Government of Canada

Access to “ethical” food often available only to wealthy

Publication Date: July 30, 2017

The “ethical eating” paradox: lower income Canadians often cannot afford a diet of local, organic, or sustainable foods.Globe and Mail

Rainy summer “a disaster” for Ontario farmers

Publication Date: July 28, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

While parts of the US fight drought conditions, historic weather extremes make this a tough year for farmers in Ontario too, and here's it's mostly because of too much rain.Ottawa Citizen

Some US crops under stress as drought worsens

Publication Date: July 27, 2017

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

Historic weather extremes are making this a tough year for farmers in the US.CBS News

Aging farmers, no succession plans: our family farms at risk

Publication Date: July 26, 2017

How do we transition our farms to the next generation?CBC News

UK begins work on over-arching aviation strategy

Publication Date: July 26, 2017

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment

The UK government decides it needs to develop a long-term strategy for its commercial aviation sector. Heathrow’s planned third runway is still in the mix, even though one of the strategy's main goals has been described as “tackling carbon emissions, noise and air quality.” Good luck with that!Out-Law.com

Canadian airlines aim to reduce carbon footprint

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Tags: Aviation/Airports, Climate Change, Environment

The aviation industry continues to talk about schemes to curtail its increasing carbon emissions. Lots of hype here, but not much progress shown.660 News

Farmers mind their peas and pulses: The New Farm

Publication Date: July 24, 2017

Crops are being diversified in Canada's wheat belt, and farmers are adding value to their new crops.thestar.com

Corn won’t “tassel” this year in Nebraska

Publication Date: July 23, 2017

Tags: Environment, Food/Water/Agriculture

It's so dry in some parts of Nebraska, "the Cornhusker state," that there will be no corn crop this year. Inset photo shows cattle now grazing in the cornfield.Twitter capture

Canada’s ag ministers reach 5-year, $3B deal to boost farm sector

Publication Date: July 21, 2017

Canada and the provinces agree to a new plan to replace Growing Forward 2, to “innovate, grow and prosper and position Canada as a leader in the global [agricultural] economy.”Globe and Mail

Minister Morneau takes Canada’s plan for strong middle class to Pickering

Publication Date: July 20, 2017