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The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
We must count the real costs of nuclear power
Tim Gregory (Can we afford to be afraid of nuclear power? 6 July) makes a series of assertions that are incompatible with recent evidence about the transition to zero-carbon energy. Two stand out. The first is that the world needs more energy. Poor countries certainly do. But the clean-energy transition involves shifting to much more efficient technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. Many studies, including by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, show that these can enable rich countries to halve their energy use while improving living standards. The whole world could have western European lifestyles and still use less energy. The second error is to argue that wind and solar energy cannot power a reliable electricity grid. A major study by the Royal Society showed that a system based on these resources with some long-duration storage is not only feasible, but will be cheaper than a system with any level of nuclear power. Nuclear power is a costly distraction from building an efficient and renewable EyreEmeritus professor of energy and climate policy, University of Oxford Your author, in his enthusiasm to highlight the cheaper costs to build new nuclear plants, failed to include the ever-increasing costs of decommissioning nuclear plants at the end of their working life. This must be included in any comparison of costs. He also failed to mention the problems of vast amounts of highly dangerous radioactive nuclear waste and accidents, freak weather – such as the tsunamis causing radioactive leaks in Japan – and potential terrorist attacks. Nuclear may not cause atmospheric carbon waste but it does create hugely toxic radioactive waste that remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years. A problem that threatens the health of all life. He mentions that Finland has made a deep burial site for nuclear waste, and the probability of geological activity and disturbance has obviously been factored in. However this does not mean it is guaranteed to stand the tests of time – and stable rock formations found at the site in Finland may not be so readily found AskewHayling Island, Hampshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Mail & Guardian
09-06-2025
- General
- Mail & Guardian
Climate crisis drives SADC food insecurity
The number of people facing severe food insecurity has increased for a sixth consecutive year, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crisis, with an estimated 15 million more people across sub-Saharan Africa that experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2024 than in 2023. (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters) Last week, South Africa hosted the The number of people facing severe food insecurity has increased for a sixth consecutive year, according to the Conflict, forcible displacement, extreme weather and economic shocks continued to be the primary drivers of the deteriorating state of food insecurity on the continent. These compounding issues limit opportunities for economic development, worsen environmental degradation and disproportionately affect already vulnerable populations, pushing millions into severe levels of food insecurity. So far in 2025, ongoing insecurity across the Central Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and Sudan, alongside high food price inflation continued to drive food insecurity across West and East Africa. In Southern Africa, extreme weather events According to the Intergovern-mental Panel on Climate Change, Southern Africa is one of the Moreover, climate-related extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones, rising temperatures, and erratic precipitation levels are becoming more prevalent and adversely More than The ripple effect of these climate-induced disruptions to agricultural security often leads to loss of incomes for communities, widespread food price volatility and heightened nutritional vulnerability. These disruptions further deepen socio-economic disparities, disproportionately affecting gender inequalities, and undermine child health outcomes. Additionally, limited resources, poor infrastructure and weak institutional capacity means many vulnerable people are not effectively equipped to respond to climate-related risks. All these climate-induced disruptions not only pose significant socioeconomic and development problems but also reshape relationships between and within communities, often making social stability more difficult to maintain. Another factor exacerbating food insecurity in the region is the low level of agricultural production and food system volatility. Agricultural productivity across SADC countries is among some of the lowest globally, highlighting the converging effects of structural constraints, limited investment and access to resilient and inclusive technologies and increasingly prevalent climate shocks. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G) These limitations hinder the region's capacity to build more resilient agriculture food systems and adequately respond to climate variability. In this way, climate variability and its effects across regional food systems remains overlooked and under prioritised despite its intensifying effect. Bridging these gaps in agricultural productivity and resilience is thus essential for achieving food security in the region, improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive economic development. Despite these growing effects of climate-related issues to food security, agricultural policy across the region remains reactive, often focusing on emergency response rather than proactive planning. The SADC In addition, the Malabo Declaration provides the direction for agricultural transformation on the continent for the period 2015-25, within the Framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme. Together these strategies and frameworks are intended to promote a coordinated response to and development of early-warning systems, data-driven policymaking and multi-sectoral agricultural development and enhancement of food availability, access and stability. Despite their considerations, issues with implementation persist. Underdeveloped data systems, delayed uptake and prioritisation of fragility analysis and decentralised and poor policy ownership have hindered effective implementation of these frameworks which continue to undermine productive responses in the region. Policy frameworks also remain poorly aligned with long-term resilience goals, while policy implementation is often limited by problems in regional coordination. Moreover, climate-resilient strategies often lack financial commitments toward adaptation, lack transparency and have limited accountability mechanisms. Finally, the absence of clearer frameworks and stronger regional coordination hinders the ability to consolidate adaptive funding and respond to cross-border threats. By failing to prioritise the development of resilient agricultural and food systems the SADC's current approach to climate and agricultural resilience reveals a troubling gap between acknowledgment of the risk and meaningful action. As a result, the consequences of regional inaction on climate-responsive agricultural policy are further exacerbating the already heightened climate fragility faced by the majority of member states. Addressing these problems requires transformed agricultural production systems and reinforcing climate-resilient food systems by reorienting food systems toward sustainability and inclusivity. Today's global food networks are deeply interconnected, yet often lack the agility and equity needed to cope with crisis or change. Additionally current food systems are failing to deliver on adequate nutritional outcomes, sustainability and justice. Despite progress over the past few decades, undernourishment and diet-related threats remain prevalent, while a significant portion of food that is produced is wasted. Addressing this requires both policy and technological innovation. Interventions such as In light of this, new policies must prioritise regenerative farming, promote sustainable and inclusive development in the region and support access to equitable and nutritious diets in the region. Thus, transforming agri-food systems becomes an essential need to meet the growing demand for food in the region while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. Central to this transformation is included a shift toward sustainable land-use practices, the protection and preservation of biodiversity and soil health and the need for scalable climate-smart practices that enhances the adaptive capacity of food systems, particularly in vulnerable regions. Additionally, the need to integrate innovative, inclusive and resilient technology in the agricultural sector offers the opportunity for enhanced monitoring and evaluation frameworks and the development of robust early-warning systems to support long-term productivity and climate resilience. But, if the objectives outlined in the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists are to be actualised in the SADC, then there must be equitable infrastructure and clear, actionable frameworks that support this progress. Crucially, these measures must prioritise the inclusion of the region's most vulnerable and at-risk populations to ensure the benefit from these advancements are both widespread and sustainable. Mischka Moosa is a data journalist at Good Governance Africa.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Coolest Trends And Innovations In Produce Preservation
Because fruits and vegetables are among the most commonly wasted foods, often spoiling before ... More they're eaten, improving produce preservation is a critical strategy for cutting food waste and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. As food prices rise and environmental concerns deepen, keeping fruits and vegetables fresher for longer is becoming a global priority for consumers. Produce preservation is a powerful tool in the fight against food waste and the climate crisis, helping to reduce emissions, conserve resources, and keep fresh, nutritious food out of landfills and on our plates. By some estimates, nearly 40% of food produced globally is never eaten. Fruits and vegetables account for the highest portion of this waste due to their perishability. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, food waste is responsible for 8–10% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. If it were a country, food waste would rank as the third-largest emitter in the world, behind only China and the United States. Against this backdrop, food preservation has become a climate, economic, and public health imperative. A Harris Poll conducted in the U.S. found that 88% of Americans consider reducing food waste important. And according to Innova Market Insights, 39% of consumers globally now rank planetary health as their top concern. These days, shoppers are increasingly drawn to smart packaging that keeps their food fresh for longer. According to Innova's 2023 Packaging Survey, people are most willing to spend extra on packaging that not only helps protect the planet, but also keeps food from spoiling too quickly, making it a powerful way to cut down on food waste. At the same time, growing concerns about chemical preservatives and heavily processed foods— both for health and environmental reasons— are pushing the food industry to explore cleaner, more sustainable preservation solutions. A growing number of startups and established companies are developing more sustainable tools that help fruits and vegetables last longer, from air purification systems to smart humidity control. Here's a look at some of the innovations making a difference. Foods that are most ethylene-sensitive, like bananas, tend to ripen, age, or spoil more quickly when ... More exposed to ethylene gas. Ethylene, a naturally occurring gas released by fruits like apples, avocados, bananas, and peaches, acts as a ripening agent and can accelerate spoilage of nearby vegetables. Ozone, volatile organic compounds, and microbial particles also contribute to food degradation. For this reason, indoor air quality is a key factor in produce preservation. 'Air quality directly impacts the longevity of fresh produce,' says Trent Thiel, Global Product Manager of Molecular Contamination Control at Camfil, a global manufacturer of air filtration and clean air solutions. By filtering out ethylene gas, ozone, and airborne microbes, clean air solutions can significantly extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Camfil's CamPure 8, for example, is designed to target ethylene and other oxidizing gases that accelerate ripening and spoilage. 'When you remove ethylene from the environment, you slow down the aging process of produce. That means less shrinkage, fewer losses, and better quality for longer,' Thiel explains. The 2024 Camfil Sustainability Report points out that 99% of the air that humans breathe doesn't meet World Health Organization standards. 'Dirty air isn't just an environmental or public health issue… it's a food systems issue, too,' says Thiel. Who knew that a sexy kitchen gadget could have the word ethylene in it? The global ethylene absorber market is projected to grow from $12.77 billion in 2024 to over $48 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group, reflecting increasing demand from both commercial and consumer markets. Smaller-scale ethylene absorbers are starting to make their mark in home kitchens. The Bluapple Produce Saver, for instance, is a glossy, refillable, non-toxic blue sphere that quietly soaks up ethylene gas in your fridge, fruit bowl, or pantry. The company claims it can keep produce fresh two to three times longer, helping consumers reduce food waste without lifting a finger. The Bluapple Produce Saver soaks up ethylene gas in your fridge, fruit bowl, or pantry. Even major appliance brands are getting in on the action. Refrigerators like the Bosch B36CL80SNS and Frigidaire Gallery GRSC2352AF now come with built-in ethylene filters because the air around your produce matters just as much as the produce itself. Vacuum packaging is effective for produce preservation because it removes oxygen, slowing down the ... More growth of spoilage-causing microbes and oxidation that leads to wilting and decay. When it comes to food spoilage, oxygen is the silent saboteur. It triggers oxidation, dulls color and flavor, and fuels the growth of mold and bacteria. Vacuum sealing offers a precise way to manage that risk. Devices like the FoodSaver vacuum sealer use automatic technology to remove air from custom-designed bags, locking in freshness with a tight, sensor-driven seal. The result? Food that stays fresh up to five times longer, with a serious reduction in freezer burn, spoilage, and waste. As these devices become more affordable and user-friendly— with features like automatic sealing and adjustable vacuum levels— vacuum sealing is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments in food tech. According to Arizton Advisory & Intelligence, the U.S. vacuum sealer market was valued at $2.91 billion in 2023 and is on track to grow to $3.45 billion by 2029. Another standout innovation that provides an oxygen barrier without the use of plastic is Apeel— a plant-based, edible coating made from compounds found in the peels, seeds, and pulp of fruits and vegetables. By reinforcing the natural barrier that slows down oxidation and moisture loss, Apeel helps extend shelf life without the need for plastic packaging. According to Apeel Sciences, one truckload of cucumbers treated with Apeel and shipped without plastic wrap can eliminate the equivalent of roughly 100,000 plastic straws. Humid conditions in a fridge can cause produce to rot, especially if there's too much moisture and ... More poor airflow. When it comes to keeping produce crisp and vibrant, humidity is just as important as temperature. Leafy greens and herbs need a humid environment to stay perky, while ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and avocados, fare better in drier conditions. But it's a balancing act: too much moisture invites mold, too little and you're left with limp, shriveled leftovers. Bluapple's VeggieZips help to manage this delicate balance. The reusable produce bags come with adjustable vents and a HydroLiner insert, a cloth-like layer that can either add or absorb moisture depending on the needs of the item being stored. The bags are washable and designed for long-term use. Refrigerators are also getting smarter. Models like GE's Profile PVD28BYNFS now offer dual humidity zones and fine-tuned airflow systems with adjustable drawers for precise humidity regulation. Experts say the ideal fridge temperature lands between 32°F and 38°F— cool enough to extend shelf life, but gentle enough to protect delicate produce from frostbite. FreshPaper's plant-based botanicals inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi that cause produce to ... More spoil. Bacteria and fungi are among the most common culprits in food decay, entering through bruises or openings and breaking down cell walls. They thrive in warm, damp environments, making refrigeration and air purification essential. Air filtration and sanitation technologies are key to microbial defense. 'High MERV-A rated filters such as MERV 14A or MERV16A, HEPA/ULPA filters and UV-C systems can trap or neutralize these spoilage organisms before they come into contact with food,' explains Thiel. One option for home kitchens is FreshPaper by The Freshglow Co.— biodegradable sheets infused with natural botanical extracts that help slow down spoilage. Simply placing a sheet in a produce drawer or container can extend freshness two to four times, according to the company. With nods from Oprah Magazine and Food & Wine, FreshPaper has earned a following for turning a simple idea into an effective tool against food waste. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 aims to halve global food waste by 2030. Getting there will require a combination of awareness, innovation, and clean air strategies that extend the life of what we eat, before it ends up in the bin. While technology is playing a growing role, small behavioral changes at home remain important in produce preservation. Storing ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas away from sensitive vegetables, using paper towels to absorb moisture, and avoiding overcrowding in the fridge can all help extend shelf life.
