Photo by Sac State Used under CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED Food rescue organizations help connect food that would otherwise go to waste with people in need. The Food Rescue Locator is a comprehensive map of organizations working in this space. With recent updates thanks to our partners at the Food Recovery Network and Food Systems Collaborative Community, it has more listings than ever. How food rescue helps with food waste The scale of food waste in the U.S. is enormous - nearly 38% of U.S. food supply goes unsold or uneaten - driven mainly by waste from households and consumer-facing businesses. The E ..read more

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released strict new emissions limits on March 20, 2024, for cars built from 2027 through 2032. The final rule for Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards caps a process that started almost a year earlier, when the Biden administration first proposed groundbreaking regulations that would essentially require automakers to make a substantial pivot toward electrification. The original proposal met significant pushback from carmakers and unions, who argued that the industry needed more time to switch from gas-powered cars to EVs. As a result, while the final tar ..read more

A colorful mix of ripe and overripe apples in a pile.Photo by Marek Studzinski In honor of Food Waste Prevention Week, we're taking a closer look at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recently updated Wasted Food Scale. This new tool, released in October 2023, replaces their Food Recovery Pathway from 1990 and offers new insights into the environmental impacts of food waste and the most effective ways to reduce it. Image by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA CHAMPIONS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY The EPA examined how managing food waste can fit into a circular economic model. Th ..read more

Photo by Mack Male used under CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Is the humble bean the key to feeding the world? Many experts think so. Pulses are a nutrition powerhouse, packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. They’re also affordable and easy to prepare, with uses across cultures and contexts. Plus, pulses are easy to grow, emit fewer greenhouse gasses, and use way less water than other protein sources. Legume what? From a biological standpoint, a legume is the leaf, stem, or pod of any member of the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family. These flowering plants produce pulses, which are the edible s ..read more

Photo by Kalisha Ocheni This post is part of a series on the future of food. Earlier this year, engineers at Columbia University unveiled a 3D-printed cheesecake, a feat achieved after seven failed attempts and several design iterations. Marrying culinary artistry with cutting-edge technology, 3D-printed food is the latest innovation in food science, yet under the allure lies prohibitive costs, material constraints, and the lingering uncertainty about its true potential and impact on food systems. To understand the future of this technology, let's delve into its current applications and futur ..read more

It’s that time of year again…the one where we take stock and make resolutions to change our lives, and the world, for the better. Here are a few ideas from us on how to build a better future for food and fuel in 2024. Want to drive less? Get public transit on the agenda How much do you know about why America’s public transit and high-speed rail are so poor? Take some time to learn more about the history and context of our public transit, where it works well, and what the future looks like. Once you understand the big picture you can start learning more about the transit landscape near you. Wha ..read more

The rise of e-bikes has been an exciting development to see. They offer a convenient, eco-friendly way to get around, and their popularity is only growing. But many are wondering about one crucial element: charging infrastructure. New York recently took a crucial step towards boosting charging options not only for electric cars but also for micro-mobility options like e-bikes and scooters, particularly in underserved communities. This comes after a handful of building fires were linked to e-bike charging in New York City due to issues with aftermarket batteries. The impressive growth of micro ..read more

Photo by Sophie Jonas As electric vehicles (EVs) charge into the mainstream, the United States is paving the way for a more sustainable future. However, while President Biden set ambitious EV targets for the nation, the focus has primarily been on cars even as studies show that electric car adoption alone isn't enough to meet climate goals. Micro-mobility options such as e-bikes are crucial to reducing car dependency and states and metro areas are primarily leading on this front. We'll delve into the landscape of EV ownership (cars and bikes alike) in the U.S., exploring the key factors that ..read more

Tis the season to buy gifts for our loved ones! But what do you get for someone who is trying to be eco-conscious? Buying second-hand, giving items that will last, and gifting things that they really need are all great approaches. Whether you’re buying for a mom, dad, grandparents, sibling, or chosen family, we have options for you. For the garden If your loved one is an avid gardener, think about getting them some gloves that are built to last or tools with a lifetime guarantee. If they already have a supply of beautiful long-lasting tools, gift them a kit to sharpen, clean, and maintain them ..read more

Swale floating food forest transformed a barge into a “public oasis where people can come and pick fresh produce.” Inhabitat used under CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED Agroecology is an approach to transforming food systems, making them more beneficial to people and the planet. It provides a framework to address the ecological and societal harms of our current food production, distribution, and consumption practices. By focusing on sustainably producing healthy, culturally-relevant food, proponents feel that agroecology can reduce hunger, increase biodiversity, cut back on pollution, and even mitigate clim ..read more