Food for Thought
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BLUEBERRY RISE
This image in inspired by the 1968 Earthrise photo taken from space by William Anders. That iconic image launched the environmental movements decades ago. Today, agriculture is both a major source and potential healer of the climate crisis. Blueberries in Michigan are being impacted by seasonal shifts which bring new pests, harsh weather, and fewer pollinators. Blueberry seed: 300x
This image in inspired by the 1968 Earthrise photo taken from space by William Anders. That iconic image launched the environmental movements decades ago. Today, agriculture is both a major source and potential healer of the climate crisis. Blueberries in Michigan are being impacted by seasonal shifts which bring new pests, harsh weather, and fewer pollinators. Blueberry seed: 300x
CARROT LEAVES
Carrots, like so many vegetable crops, are impacted by increasingly wild swings of drought and flooding. Carrots grown in hot temperatures lose their flavor and texture, according to Australian researchers, where carrots are a major export crop. As for celestial solutions, astrobiology students at Villanova University found that carrots could grow successfully on Mars, (but transport costs could offset the benefits.) Leaves: 300x
Carrots, like so many vegetable crops, are impacted by increasingly wild swings of drought and flooding. Carrots grown in hot temperatures lose their flavor and texture, according to Australian researchers, where carrots are a major export crop. As for celestial solutions, astrobiology students at Villanova University found that carrots could grow successfully on Mars, (but transport costs could offset the benefits.) Leaves: 300x
WHEAT SPROUT ON FIRE
Wheat yields are decreasing with rising temperatures. At the same time, nutrient content will decrease in a hotter climate, a burden for developing nations. Crops are also threatened by drought.
Wheat yields are decreasing with rising temperatures. At the same time, nutrient content will decrease in a hotter climate, a burden for developing nations. Crops are also threatened by drought.
AVOCADO SEED SKIN
Avocados grown in California are threatened by drought, so much so that some growers are choosing not to plant trees destined to mature (and struggle) in hotter conditions of the future.
Avocados grown in California are threatened by drought, so much so that some growers are choosing not to plant trees destined to mature (and struggle) in hotter conditions of the future.
OLIVE HEAD
Olives are another staple food impacted by climate change. In 2018, the olive oil industry in Italy crashed, while Spain’s olives did very well. Climate chaos impacts the range and viability of crops, and this pattern is being repeated worldwide. Olive bud: 80x, leaf: 270x
Olives are another staple food impacted by climate change. In 2018, the olive oil industry in Italy crashed, while Spain’s olives did very well. Climate chaos impacts the range and viability of crops, and this pattern is being repeated worldwide. Olive bud: 80x, leaf: 270x
LACE LICHEN
Lace lichen has been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes; it has antibacterial properties. Lichens are an indicator of clean air, and lace lichen doesn’t thrive where there are significant levels of pollution. It has been impacted by wildfires caused by drought; researchers have found it failing to return to burn sites even ten years after a fire. Lichen: 50x
Lace lichen has been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes; it has antibacterial properties. Lichens are an indicator of clean air, and lace lichen doesn’t thrive where there are significant levels of pollution. It has been impacted by wildfires caused by drought; researchers have found it failing to return to burn sites even ten years after a fire. Lichen: 50x
Buckwheat is an excellent source of plant-based protein. When used as a cover crop, buckwheat reduces the need for fertilizer, captures carbon, and it helps soil hold water.
URCHIN TAKES KELP
Warming oceans stoke bacteria and diseases that have wiped out sunflower stars along the Pacific coast. Kelp-eating urchins thrive without predation from the stars. Kelp reduces ocean acidification, captures carbon and provides habitat. Urchin tube foot disk: 270x, urchin teeth marks on bull kelp:1x
Warming oceans stoke bacteria and diseases that have wiped out sunflower stars along the Pacific coast. Kelp-eating urchins thrive without predation from the stars. Kelp reduces ocean acidification, captures carbon and provides habitat. Urchin tube foot disk: 270x, urchin teeth marks on bull kelp:1x
LETTUCE AND SEEDS
Most lettuce grown in the USA comes from Arizona and California. In recent years, both locations have experienced unseasonal shifts in heat and rain which delayed plantings or caused early harvests. The E coli outbreak on Romaine lettuce is being tied to warming temperatures. Seeds: 80x
Most lettuce grown in the USA comes from Arizona and California. In recent years, both locations have experienced unseasonal shifts in heat and rain which delayed plantings or caused early harvests. The E coli outbreak on Romaine lettuce is being tied to warming temperatures. Seeds: 80x
HOPS
Spines on the edge of a hop leaf may not be enough to protect this plant, crucial to the brewing of beer, from the vagaries of climate change; it’s range is being constrained.
Spines on the edge of a hop leaf may not be enough to protect this plant, crucial to the brewing of beer, from the vagaries of climate change; it’s range is being constrained.
KALE
Organic kale and produce have grown very popular in the past decades. Little known is that large-scale organic farms may emit more greenhouse gasses than conventional farms.
Organic kale and produce have grown very popular in the past decades. Little known is that large-scale organic farms may emit more greenhouse gasses than conventional farms.
RICE LIFE CYCLE
Rice is imperiled by rising sea levels, and shifting geographic ranges. Rice crops produce a great deal of methane, but researchers now explore how to grow rice without this greenhouse gas as a byproduct.
Rice is imperiled by rising sea levels, and shifting geographic ranges. Rice crops produce a great deal of methane, but researchers now explore how to grow rice without this greenhouse gas as a byproduct.
AZOLLA, FLOATING FERN
50 million years ago, Azolla grew in such huge quantities that it is credited with removing half of the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This recent discovery has inspired new efforts to promote the planting of this floating fern as a method of capturing carbon.
50 million years ago, Azolla grew in such huge quantities that it is credited with removing half of the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This recent discovery has inspired new efforts to promote the planting of this floating fern as a method of capturing carbon.
REQUIEM FOR THE POLLINATORS
Globally, insect populations are under stress. Researchers have named “nutrient dilution hypothesis” as another possible factor impacting insects. Increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 cause plants to bulk up on carbon, which leads to reduced nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium.
Globally, insect populations are under stress. Researchers have named “nutrient dilution hypothesis” as another possible factor impacting insects. Increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 cause plants to bulk up on carbon, which leads to reduced nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium.
BEE FUZZ
The decline of bees worldwide is well-documented, as is the threat to crops that rely on them for pollination. Little known is that natural mycelial extracts are being developed which boost bee immunity. Mycologist Paul Stamets says, “Mycelium is the immune system of the mushroom.” Fuzz: 800x
The decline of bees worldwide is well-documented, as is the threat to crops that rely on them for pollination. Little known is that natural mycelial extracts are being developed which boost bee immunity. Mycologist Paul Stamets says, “Mycelium is the immune system of the mushroom.” Fuzz: 800x
LAVENDER DETAIL
As a perennial plant with nutritional, horticultural and medicinal uses, lavender fields help build soil, feed pollinators, and reduce the need for yearly tilling. Flower detail: 300x
As a perennial plant with nutritional, horticultural and medicinal uses, lavender fields help build soil, feed pollinators, and reduce the need for yearly tilling. Flower detail: 300x
COMPOST
Three grains of "topsoil" versus three "grains" of compost at 90x – compost enriches soil, collecting water, feeding microorganisms, opening channels for roots to spread. This is the foundation of a carbon-rich soil, which is the base of a cooler planet.
Three grains of "topsoil" versus three "grains" of compost at 90x – compost enriches soil, collecting water, feeding microorganisms, opening channels for roots to spread. This is the foundation of a carbon-rich soil, which is the base of a cooler planet.
BIOCHAR
The addition of biochar to soils, if done correctly, greatly increases the capacity of soils to hold water, nutrients and carbon. Use of biochar can be a "carbon negative" process. The central biochar in this image is the size of a pinhead, and the crystalline, porous surface hints at its sponge-like qualities.
The addition of biochar to soils, if done correctly, greatly increases the capacity of soils to hold water, nutrients and carbon. Use of biochar can be a "carbon negative" process. The central biochar in this image is the size of a pinhead, and the crystalline, porous surface hints at its sponge-like qualities.
Hazelnut trees are part of a carbon-farming movement that promotes no-till/perennial agriculture, agroforestry, and carbon sequestration.
PEA and CRICKET PROTEIN
High quality protein can be produced at a fraction of the resource cost (land, water, energy) compared to traditional livestock agriculture. Chips made from crickets and burgers from peas are just a few examples of options that are recently becoming popular. Pollen: 2400x, Cricket leg: 110x, wing: 24x
High quality protein can be produced at a fraction of the resource cost (land, water, energy) compared to traditional livestock agriculture. Chips made from crickets and burgers from peas are just a few examples of options that are recently becoming popular. Pollen: 2400x, Cricket leg: 110x, wing: 24x
FAVA COVER
A key principal of regenerative agriculture is: Keep Soil Covered—no bare ground (soil bakes, micro organisms die, erosion damages.) Cover crops reverse this, and add essential nitrogen and carbon to soil without petrochemicals. Fava Pollen: 3400x
A key principal of regenerative agriculture is: Keep Soil Covered—no bare ground (soil bakes, micro organisms die, erosion damages.) Cover crops reverse this, and add essential nitrogen and carbon to soil without petrochemicals. Fava Pollen: 3400x
MUSHROOM CLOUD
Fungal/mycelial networks are indispensable for creating healthy soil, optimum conditions for plant growth, and remarkably: rain. Trillions of fungal spoors released into the air act as rain seeds, which create clouds. Wine cap mycelium:1x, lion’s mane: 1x, golden oyster:1x
Fungal/mycelial networks are indispensable for creating healthy soil, optimum conditions for plant growth, and remarkably: rain. Trillions of fungal spoors released into the air act as rain seeds, which create clouds. Wine cap mycelium:1x, lion’s mane: 1x, golden oyster:1x
BORAGE SEED
Borage has medicinal and nutritional benefits and are welcome additions to forest gardens.
Borage has medicinal and nutritional benefits and are welcome additions to forest gardens.
SUNFLOWER PETALS, POLLEN, FLORET
Sunflowers are highly resistant to drought, increased heat, and disease. They’re seen as a key species by researchers looking to support healthy crops in the future. Petals:130x, Pollen: 900x, Floret: 700x
Sunflowers are highly resistant to drought, increased heat, and disease. They’re seen as a key species by researchers looking to support healthy crops in the future. Petals:130x, Pollen: 900x, Floret: 700x