soil pollution
Credit: Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/Flickr
Agroecology empowers farmers in northern Ghana
Erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are driving Ghanaian farmers toward agroforestry and mixed farming to restore soil, retain water and secure livelihoods in a changing climate.
In short:
- Agroforestry techniques like alley cropping integrate trees with crops, helping retain moisture, reduce erosion and enrich soil naturally, while also providing income from tree products like baobab leaves.
- Mixed farming combines crops and livestock, creating balanced ecosystems where livestock manure enriches the soil and grazing reduces waste, while birds and bats naturally control pests.
- These practices offer a scalable model for drought-prone regions, improving biodiversity, stabilizing incomes and reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers.
Key quote:
“Agroforestry not only restores soil fertility but also improves water retention, provides shade and attracts pollinators.”
— Irene Egyir, agricultural economist, University of Ghana
Why this matters:
As climate change disrupts traditional farming in northern Ghana, agroecological methods provide a lifeline. Paired with mixed farming systems—where livestock help fertilize the land and pest-eating birds handle crop threats—this approach turns farming into a harmonious, self-sustaining loop. It’s farming for a future that doesn’t just survive climate change but fosters resilience in its wake. Read more: Climate, justice, and the deep roots of regenerative farming.
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Credit: Bill McMannis/Flickr
Disasters expose hidden chemical threats while laws keep communities in the dark
Hurricanes like Helene reveal toxic secrets as outdated laws and industry lobbying leave communities vulnerable to chemical dangers.
In short:
- Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina, leaving residents exposed to potentially toxic sludge with limited knowledge of its source due to federal disclosure loopholes.
- Laws like the 1986 Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act are outdated, and high reporting thresholds prevent residents from accessing full information on hazardous materials in nearby industrial facilities.
- Lobbying by chemical industry groups has stymied EPA efforts to increase transparency, with corporations actively pushing back on proposed reforms aimed at protecting public health.
Key quote:
“If we were serious about protecting communities from toxic chemicals, we would really update these statutes. We would make them actually reflect what we know about the hazards that these chemicals pose.”
— Eve Gartner, toxics expert, Earthjustice
Why this matters:
Industry-backed lobbying has stymied the EPA’s attempts at reform, leaving Asheville residents—and communities nationwide—on uncertain ground. For families and healthcare providers on the frontlines of post-storm health fallout, the hidden threat of toxics in their backyard adds a troubling twist to an already challenging recovery. Read more: Hurricane season spurs hog waste worries in North Carolina.
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Credit: jerseygal2009/Flickr
Indigenous communities restore bison herds to heal lands and culture
Indigenous nations are leading efforts to bring back bison to North America's grasslands, re-establishing ecological and cultural connections nearly erased by colonization.
In short:
- The Montana First Nation recently conducted a traditional hunt, part of broader Indigenous-led bison rematriation projects that honor ancestral ties and ecological stewardship.
- The Buffalo Treaty, now in its tenth year, promotes cooperation to protect bison as a keystone species and enable their free movement across the plains.
- Indigenous advocates emphasize that bison reintroduction revives cultural practices, supports biodiversity, and may enhance prairie soil’s carbon storage potential.
Key quote:
“Right from the very beginning of the dialogues, we said, ‘No one owns the buffalo.’”
— Whisper Camel-Means, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Why this matters:
The bison's return isn’t only symbolic. These animals are ecological engineers, reshaping the landscape to its natural balance. They till the soil, support diverse plant life, and create habitats for other species. Indigenous groups hope their return will boost biodiversity and even contribute to climate resilience. Read more: The other destructive Columbus.
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| BigStock Photo ID: 373450390 |
| Copyright: Anton_Medvedev |
For weary Niger Delta residents, shocking oil pollution report offers little hope
A new report commissioned by the Bayelsa state government in Nigeria holds international oil companies like Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil responsible for spilling at least 110,000 barrels of oil there over the past 50 years.
David Wilson/Flickr
Nebraskans urge better state management of factory farm animal waste
Clean-water advocates are urging the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy to do more to protect drinking water and soil quality impacted by industrial-scale beef, pork and chicken operations.
Shell and ExxonMobil are selling 23,000 oil wells in California
Shell and ExxonMobil are selling their California wells despite oil selling at high prices. Experts say one reason is looming liability for environmental cleanup.
Can a court compel the EPA to protect communities of color from CAFO pollution?
Only a third of factory farms have permits to discharge waste into water, soil, and air. A new legal effort from environmental groups seeks enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
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