The Anthropocene engine has allowed humanity to free itself from many of the things that otherwise would have kept population growth in check.

Comment: Population growth, climate change and the ‘Anthropocene engine’ transforming the planet

At first glance, the connections between the world’s growing population and climate change seem obvious. The more people we have on this planet, the larger their collective impact on the climate. However, a closer look with a longer time horizon reveals relationships between population size and climate change that can help us better understand humanity’s

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Comment: Greedflation accusations pointless

The real failure in Canada is of our Competition Bureau, not the market

As food prices rise, many are quick to blame grocers for profiteering and taking advantage of consumers. The notion of “greedflation” has emerged as one of the most talked about issues in the last month. Food inflation in Canada is at a 41-year high, at 10.3 per cent, and chances are that consumers won’t get


Ninety-five percent of all the population growth until then, says the UN, will occur in the relatively young, relatively poor sub-Saharan nations of Africa.

Comment: Mother Nature has a population plan, too

China is about to shrink, Africa to grow, and the environment to strike back

A scientist friend recently noted that at today’s rate of consumption, the world is environmentally and economically sustainable for roughly one billion people. “That means with the world’s population of eight billion,” he half-joked, “you’re a goner.” Right, just not right now. Let nature take its course, eh? Recent population trends, however, show that nature

The 20 per cent increase in the price of butter from last year has seen many people give up on the product and opt for non-dairy alternatives.

Comment: Milking Canadians no longer that simple

A recent press conference to announce Canadian Dairy Commission recommendations was a response to past criticism

The Canadian Dairy Commission has just released its recommendations for 2023. Unlike last year’s shocking 8.4 per cent, which was almost double the previous record, the increase won’t be as dramatic. As of Feb. 1, 2023, most farmers in Canada will get about 2.2 per cent more for their milk. Provincial boards have the final


Lentil-based shepherd’s pie being prepared for the children.

Comment: Sustainability shouldn’t be an optical illusion

We should pay attention to our environmental impact, but not exaggerate it

Glacier FarmMedia – An interesting email landed in my inbox earlier this fall. It was from a freelance writer and Glacier FarmMedia contributor Rebecca Hannam, and its subject was a press release from Ontario’s University of Guelph, often described as “Canada’s food university.” The document touted how the University of Guelph’s Child Care and Learning Centre (CCLC)

A U.S. oil refinery in Texas. The world’s two largest refinery systems are both producing less distillate fuel than before the pandemic erupted.

Comment: Diesel’s gloomy message for the global economy

The only way to rebalance supply and demand is more supply or a deep recession

Global shortages of middle distillates such as diesel, gas oil and heating oil are intensifying rather than easing, making it more likely a relatively severe slowdown in the business cycle will be necessary to rebalance the market. U.S. inventories of distillate fuel oil depleted to 106 million barrels on Oct. 7, the lowest seasonal level


Through soil degradation and increased urbanization, we lose an area the size of Scotland every year. Just two per cent of the world’s land area produces 40 per cent of the world’s food.

Comment: Soil matters – charting a path forward

Action is needed to preserve and improve soil health, but it must be judicious

The following is an excerpt from a statement made by the author to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (Status on Soil Health in Canada) meeting, Sept. 22. Since the Senate of Canada “Soil At Risk” report was conceived by Senator Herb Sparrow four decades ago, generally soil management has improved and crop

While some will appreciate Loblaw’s empathetic gesture, the grocer’s latest campaign will likely bring some cynicism.

Comment: On Loblaw’s decision to freeze food prices

Some may be cynical about this effort, but it is unprecedented

For weeks now, many have called for Canadian grocers to voluntarily freeze prices for some grocery staples as we weather the current food inflation storm. Many Western economies have seen price freezes from grocers. The first grocer in the world to do this was more than six months ago. Canada has had no grocer pursuing


Comment: ‘The ceaseless drive to endless increase…’

Nitrogen overuse has serious implications for the globe

It usually goes without notice or comment, but three of the planet’s key elements – carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen – sit like ducks in row on the periodic table. None is more important than the others but if there’s a first among equals it would be nitrogen, as a prescient report from Canada’s National Farmers

Farmers and animal welfare advocates understand that if California wins, states with the most progressive animal welfare policies will be able to effectively set national standards...

Comment: U.S. Supreme Court weighs animal welfare issue

California law could have far-reaching implications for hog producers

Should Californians be able to require higher welfare standards for farm animals that are raised in other states if products from those animals are to be sold in California? The U.S. Supreme Court is confronting this challenge in a suit now before it. Pork producers are challenging a law that California voters adopted in 2018