Social Issues

Hazelnuts are a delicious food with a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the world’s hazelnuts are grown in ways that degrade the environment, harm farm workers, and end up in unhealthy processed foods. Is there a way to enjoy these fabulous nuts without contributing to harm to ourselves or others?

There’s a new environmental trend in the food industry, with a funny name: upcycling. Basically, it means taking ingredients that would otherwise have been thrown out, and turning them into or using them in new food products. But are upcycled foods safe? Are they healthy? Can you actually make good food out of those scraps and byproducts? And can it really help save the planet?

There’s a food shortage going on that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 40 years. Billions of people around the world are now chronically hungry, and tens of millions may face imminent famine and starvation. So what’s going on that’s different from years past? And what, if anything, can we do as individuals to begin to make a difference?

Type a few words and tap or click a button or two, and you can have pretty much anything mailed to you from anywhere in the world. The Internet has transformed how we shop, and this has significant environmental impacts. So is online shopping bad for the environment, with all those warehouses and trucks and vans rushing stuff to us at a moment’s notice? Or might it actually be better for the planet — if we do it right?

Industrialized society moves material on a one-way trip — we buy it new, replace it soon, and throw it “away” when we don’t want it anymore. On a finite planet groaning under the weight of all our waste, this way of living isn’t sustainable. One model seeking to replace it is called Zero Waste. And we don’t have to wait for the whole world to embrace it — we can do our part to take care of the earth by implementing Zero Waste strategies in our homes and kitchens.

The words and images on packaged foods are there for one of two reasons — to sell or to inform. Food manufacturers want to present their products in as positive a light as possible and may sometimes make questionable claims about them. Regulators want the labels to include clear and honest data about quality, nutrients, and ingredients. The result is often a confusing mash-up that leaves consumers scratching their heads or giving up. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to read food labels like a pro, so you can make the best choices for yourself and your loved ones.

Lentils are unassuming culinary heroes, featured in dishes from a wide variety of culinary traditions. Not only are they delicious, versatile, easy to cook, and nutrient-rich powerhouses, lentils also feature prominently in efforts to mitigate climate change and engage in sustainable food production. So what can lentils do for you and how can you get more of them into your life?

The restaurant industry has some big problems. The pandemic, inflation, and a shortage of workers have all taken their toll. But a growing number of restaurants are taking bold and innovative steps to not only stay afloat — but to also contribute to healthy people and a healthy planet. Here’s what you need to know about sustainable and socially responsible restaurants, and how you can enjoy a night out (or a night of takeout), with a clean conscience and a happy tummy.

Cashews are incredibly versatile nuts (well, drupes), providing creaminess and flavor to Indian and other Asian dishes, commercial dairy analogs, and homemade nut cheeses and “nice” creams. They’re also quite nutritious. Unfortunately, the cashew industry is known for mistreating its workers. So is there a way to enjoy the taste and health benefits of cashews while not contributing to horrible working conditions?

Over the past couple of decades, insect populations around the globe have plummeted. While that might sound lovely if you’re thinking about mosquitoes and no-see-ums, it’s actually putting us on a collision course with an environmental catastrophe. Without pollinating insects, our food supply is at risk. And without insects in general, the entire web of terrestrial life would likely collapse. So what’s causing the insect die-off, and what can we do to reverse it?

Between 1910 and 1997, America’s Black farmers lost about 90% of the land they owned. The USDA was later found liable for a pattern of extensive discrimination, and in 2010, agreed to pay out more than $1.25 billion to Black farmers. Still today, Black farmers face unique stressors and challenges. Understanding these challenges is critical to building a safe and healthy food system for all.

There are many factors to consider when making a sunscreen purchase. Spray or squeeze? Low SPF or high SPF? Regular sunscreen or mineral sunscreen? Discover the differences in sunscreens and why you may want to consider natural sunscreens for your health as well as the health of the environment.