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Suggested by Matt Beiriger onto Geography Education |
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According to a new survey from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, three-quarters of U.S.
Smartphones have built-in location features with a host of apps that can be added. However, 1 in 4 smartphone users do not use these features at all. Age, ethnicity, education and gender (or more simply, demographic factors) play a major role. Which groups would you imagine use geo-location features more or less? Why?
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Lawmakers in Vermont are looking to regulate food labels so customers can know which products are made from genetically modified crops, but agricultural giants Monsanto say they will sue if the state follows through.
Seth Dixon's insight:
Questions to ponder: Why is Vermont the first state to make some headway in producing this type of legislation? Will other states follow suit? What would the economic impacts be if all places required labels on products that contain genetically modified organisms? How would that change the agricultural industry?
Tags: GMOs, food, agriculture, agribusiness. 
Mary Burke's comment,
April 12, 4:21 PM
If this labeling ever gets passed, it might make people think a little more about what they're eating. They might not want to eat genetically modified organisms. That would mean the agrigiant might lose some control over the industry. I don't have much hope of this happening. I try to buy my food from vendors that say they don't use gmo's. I try to grow some veggies in the summer. I know this isn't a guarantee that I'm not eating gmo's but I realize there are some over which we have no control.
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Myths and facts about health, corruption, and saving the world Tags: food, agriculture, agribusiness, locavore, unit 5 agriculture.
Seth Dixon's insight:
So many articles about organic or genetically engineered foods are written with someone with a very defined position on the subject (much like abortion, gun control or other controversial topics). This article is an attempt to separate out the good the bad and the ugly regarding genetically engineered foods. 
Adrian Bahan (MNPS)'s curator insight,
March 7, 8:09 PM
This article really cuts through the myths and skewed logic in the GMO debate. I love the Atlantic Monthly, one of the sacred texts of Geo-Scholars everywhere. 
David Ricci's comment,
April 16, 10:28 AM
As i read this article I tried to keep an open mind and not choose a side. I wanted to take all of the information presented to see the pros and cons that are related to GE foods. After finishing my reading it seems to me that the debate revolves around whether or not these crops and foods are bad for you. If they are bad, then do the pros outway the cons? I can say that after reading the article I dont feel much more educated on the topic. There seems to be a large grey area covering GE crops. The only people who know the full extent of these projects are the people in charge and the government. With the information that i have gained today though, i can say that GE crops have the potential to be extremely benefitial aroud the world. Many places that have trouble growing crops can use GE crops that withstand bugs and even climate. These benefits can help with cost minimalization in areas that need it, potentially creating better and more farming in areas around the world that need it. GE crops if regulated properly can atleast for a time have a global effect on food and agriculture. A jump in production of crops can help economies and help the general wellbeing of countries that have trouble producing even close to the right amount of food for the people living there.
Zakary Pereira's comment,
April 30, 4:04 PM
An interesting article to read, it talked about the genetically modified seeds and food that is created by companies and then grown by American and other farmers worldwide. This article relates to the globalization point that we talked about in class. The seeds are genetically modified here or elsewhere in the world and then sent to farmers all over the globe to grow for increased profit typically. Many countries around the world, especially third world countries, have food shortages and by genetically modifying food so that farmers can get a bigger harvest, more people will be fed and less would die to famine and malnutrition. Like David, I tried to keep an open mind and not choose a side while I was reading. The article did seem quite vague regarding argument points however it gave facts left and right which I found to be new to me and fairly interesting, learning that 70% of food that we eat has at least one GE ingredient. Time will tell if this has prolonged pros/cons I suppose.
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Robyn shares her personal story and how it inspired her current path as a "Real Food" evangelist. Grounded in a successful Wall Street career that was more i...
Robyn authored "The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It." A former Wall Street food industry analyst, Robyn brings insight, compassion and detailed analysis to her research into the impact that the global food system is having on the health of our children. As new proteins are engineered into our food supply to maximize profits for the food industry, childhood food allergies are on the rise. What are the connections between cancer and modern consumption patterns? The correlation is clearly there; is causation also present? How have the economics of agriculture shaped this situation? How will the future economics of agriculture reshape food production? Delete the scoop?
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Many consumers don't know much about the production of their food. Is your food Genetically modified? Organically produced? Learn how to know. Delete the scoop?
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Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu.
This is a compelling analysis of the agricultural food system through the case-study of fish farms. If we fish the seas like we clear-cut forests, the biodiversity of the world's waters will be seriously depleted. That has been the economic model for fishing for hundreds of years and it is obviously not sustainable given the growing population and demand for fish. However, not all "sustainable" fish farming businesses are equal, and this TED talk demonstrates some of the best practices to restructure the food industry for the best food and environmental results. Delete the scoop?
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Americans ate 475 million pounds of tilapia last year, making this once obscure African native the most popular farmed fish in the United States.
Industrial farming, human-introduced species, GMOs, outsourcing and environmental impacts are but some of the relevant themes from this video. How are global taste buds reshaping the geographic landscape? 
Courtney Holbert's curator insight,
February 3, 10:55 PM
Agribusiness and the demands needed to be met to feed the world
Adrian Bahan (MNPS)'s curator insight,
March 7, 8:38 PM
How is the concept of agribusiness changing the way we think about food? Delete the scoop?
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Permanent Peoples' Tribunal accuses biotech giants Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, Syngenta, DuPont and BASF of promoting dangerous pesticides including endosulfan, paraquat and neonicotinoids... The world's major agrochemical companies, Monsanto, Dow, Bayer, Syngenta, DuPont and BASF, will face a public tribunal in early December accused of systematic human rights violations. As modern agriculture and industry are merging in food production, we need to rethink health and the environment. Via Athena Drakou Delete the scoop?
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A rice enriched with beta-carotene promises to boost the health of poor children around the world. But critics say golden rice is also a clever PR move for a biotech industry driven by profits, not humanitarianism.
Seth Dixon's insight:
This is a great podcast that emphasizes various geographic themes including agriculture, development and economics. This new genetically-modified rice was designed to provide vitamin A (something no natural rice provides) to impoverished diets. Skeptics point out that the history of the industry shows that the goal is to enrich a select number of corporations while some are hailing this as a major advancement that will benefit the poor. Where people side on this is often ideological, so those that are firmly against genetically modified foods find the flaw in the plan and vice versa. What do you think? How might this change food production and consumption worldwide and at a local scale? Tags: GMOs, development, NGOs, Food, agriculture, agribusiness, unit 5 agriculture. 
Alcofribas's curator insight,
March 10, 4:03 PM
Juste pour être sûr : GMO n'est pas Giesbert-Marie Oglalat et NGO pas Nicolas-Gabriel Orkozy, hein ?
Zakary Pereira's comment,
April 30, 4:43 PM
To me, this golden rice seems like a great idea. Anyway to give more nutrients to starving and malnourished peoples is good to me. Some may argue, and do argue, that this is run for pure profit by GE companies however to me it doesn’t matter as long as it’s helping people who need it. Much of the populations of Asia and Africa eat rice or wheat and don’t get enough Vitamin A as they should. So, this is the perfect solution! I can understand why people are skeptical of it, being a GMO after all, but as long as it is safe, delivers extra nutrients and feeds the hungry then I am on board.
Kevin Cournoyer's comment,
May 1, 12:52 AM
As important and widely used crops go, rice is probably the most important and the most widely used in the world. As a diet staple in Asia and Africa, it helps to feed billions of people everyday. Genetically modified race promises not only nourishment, but increased nutrients for the people who consume it as a major part of their diets. The recent test of this genetically modified rice on Chinese children without full disclosure of what the rice was, however, was seen as a huge problem by many.
The ethicality of the situation is what bothered most opponents of the test, but those in favor of the super rice argue that it is good for everyone, because it helps impoverished populations who are otherwise unable to acquire the nutrients they need. This article highlights the importance of rice in a vast physical geographic context, but also deals with the idea of economic and cultural geography because of the modified rice’s impact on a large number of people’s eating habits and standard of living. Delete the scoop?
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A gene from wild Indian rice plants can significantly raise the yield of common varieties in nutrient-poor soils by boosting root growth.
While many are leery of GMOs (with good reasons linked to health), it is important to recognize that there is society value to agricultural research that works on improving yields. This article would be a good "other side of the coin" resource to share when discussing GMOs. Delete the scoop?
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How we die (in one chart)...
This infographic shows the main causes of death in 1900 in the United States and compares that with the 2010 figures. The United States, during that time underwent what many call the epidemiological transition (in essence, in developed societies we now die for different reason and generally live longer) What are the geographic factors that influence these shifts in the mortality rates? What is better about society? Has anything worsened? How come? 
Roland Trudeau Jr.'s comment,
July 9, 2012 12:36 PM
Of course medicine has changed a great amount in over a century, but the fact that they were concerned with cannon balls back then? Were there that many pirates, and circus acts?
Kim Vignale's comment,
July 9, 2012 10:33 PM
In the 1900s, there were more "natural" caused illnesses but not enough medicine or technology to alleviate these diseases, hence, the greater mortality rate. Presently, medicine and technology has changed for the greater good. Many of the diseases are cured and more people living longer due to this. However, mortality caused by heart disease and cancer have increased in 2010; this is probably due to higher calorie diets and exposure to preservatives and radiation.
Don Brown Jr's comment,
July 10, 2012 7:17 PM
Looking back and comparing the 1900’s to 2010, I think it is becoming quite evident that our surrounding environment and what we consume impacts our health. Honestly what kind of cancer are you not at risk of getting today? Factors can vary from the genetically altered food we consume, radiation emitted from our cell phones or even prolonged exposure to the sun. While combating harmful pathogens and bacteria may have been a critical health concern and challenge of the early 20th century, finding remedies to an increasingly toxic environment may characterize the medical needs of the 21st century.
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"93% of Americans want the FDA to label genetically engineered foods. Watch the new video from Food, Inc. Filmmaker Robert Kenner to hear why we have the right to know what's in our food."
Clearly this video has a political agenda, but this is a pertinent video to show in an Agriculture unit. Many countries around the world require the labeling of genetically modified food products, while the United States (currently) does not.
For more on the organization that sponsored this video see: http://justlabelit.org/
For a Health blog about how this impacts nutrition, see: http://blogs.prevention.com/inspired-bites/2012/03/14/french-women-dont-eat-what/
For more on political action currently underway in the United States, see: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/03/55-congress-members-ask-fda-to-label-genetically-engineered-foods/
Adrian Bahan (MNPS)'s curator insight,
March 7, 8:21 PM
Why does the United States not have laws on the books that force companies to list GMO products on labels? Delete the scoop?
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It's one of the few food crops that actually originated in North America. But the sunflower was just a pretty diversion until Soviet breeders came up with oil-rich varieties that became a staple.
This podcast discusses the foods that are native to the U.S., diffusion of species and the advantages of sunflower oil in the making of potato chips. All of these become salient points for enhancing spatial thinking, understanding geographic patterns and processes. Via Mr. David Burton Delete the scoop?
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Hungary has taken a stand against biotech giant Monsanto and genetic modification by destroying 1000 acres of maize grown with genetically modified seeds.
Peru and Hungary have both banned GMOs. What are the reasons that many are critical of GMOs? What should the government's role be in agriculture and food systems? Are bio-tech companies too strong?
Courtney Holbert's curator insight,
February 3, 10:57 PM
With Monsanto having such a large political power, this is very interesting tat Hungary took a stand. 
Maria Bustamante's comment,
February 22, 11:56 AM
This article is about countries that are taking a stand against the company Monsanto. Many people in those countries are critical against the use of GMOs because they're not sure about how the genetic engineering will affect the crops. Already GMOs have had negative effects. The use of GMOs reduces the variety between the seeds. Not only that but the farmers are no longer getting the money the deserve for their hard work and they are not allowed to save their seeds. The government should have little control over the agriculture and what they decide to plant. They should take more precautions against the GMOs and they should make sure that the food system companies in charge of checking the safety food should not have a connection to the very food companies they are supposed to be condemning. Bio-tech companies are getting too strong because they're gaining too much control of the fields due to the patents they hold on their GMOs. This is dangerous because they could end up having a monopoly on the franchise and when they due if something happens to their crops it will happen to all the crops. It will be, for lack of a better word, very bad.
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For 10 years I had the great privilege to lead the genetic resources program at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, and work...
A lengthy clip (I would only show the first 4 minutes with a class) that demonstrates the vast amount of scientific energy focused on agriculture. Unspoken is the vast amount of resources invested in genetically modified organism that is leading to a loss of genetic biodiversity that poses some potential risks for our most important crops. Via Luigi Guarino Delete the scoop?
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