California’s carbon emissions are back to ’90s levels
California’s tough emission standards are paying off. The state’s level of greenhouse gas emissions has fallen to that of 1990—and the goal was reached four years early. Carbon emissions dropped 13 percent between 2006 and 2016; the state reported the results Wednesday after completing its analysis. Read more at Grist.org …
Lab-grown meat's Washington moment is now
In an unusual move, the Food and Drug Administration hosted on Wednesday a public meeting about regulating lab-grown meat products. The agency is seeking guidance on how to determine if such meat and seafood products are safe to eat. The FDA and the Department of Agriculture are battling over regulatory control of the new cultured meat industry. Read more at Politico …
Why people with disabilities want bans on plastic straws to be more flexible
A zero-tolerance policy that bans plastic straws carries unintended consequences: Keeping disabled people from taking a drink. Often, the alternatives such as paper or reusable straws aren’t the answer, because they disintegrate or aren’t flexible enough. Read more at The Salt …
You care where your food comes from. Why not your pot?
When cannabis was illegal, users bought what they could get. Now that more states have legalized it—for medicinal use, recreational use or both—consumers want to know what they are buying and where it came from. States are ignoring the related public health issues. Read more at Modern Farmer …
The farm group that’s part of rural America’s crisis
Changes to the farm bills of the 1970s benefited large farming and food production operations, as well as the Iowa Farm Bureau. With its large budget comes the influence to maintain the status quo over supporting innovation. Read more at Civil Eats …
