Agriculture

"In California's water-stressed Central Valley, farmers are fallowing land and installing solar, providing financial stability and saving water."

"House Republicans passed a measure Thursday that would repeal the government’s decision to place California’s longfin smelt, a finger-sized fish, on the endangered species list."

"Farm groups were cheering moves announced this week by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will alter endangered species protections to allow for easier use of certain pesticides in agriculture."

"Proponents of regenerative farming say the practice can mitigate harmful climate change, reduce water pollution, and make foods more nutritious as farmers focus on improving the health of soil, water, and ecosystems." "But all that momentum comes with a dirty dark side, according to a new report that highlights  what is becoming an increasingly contentious debate over the merits of regenerative agriculture."

"More than 20 bills introduced among at least 12 states. Fears, farm damage vie with waste control practicalities."

"Bird populations across North America are falling most quickly in areas where they are most abundant, according to new research, prompting fears of ecological collapse in previously protected areas."

"The biennial Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions will consider banning the controversial pesticide and two other toxic compounds"

"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said Monday it will allow gasoline containing a higher percentage of ethanol to be used year-round."

"A new first-of-its-kind law enacted in North Dakota could shield agrochemical manufacturer Bayer from lawsuits claiming it failed to warn customers that its popular weedkiller Roundup could cause cancer."