By Rick Laezman* Since the first iterations of robots and machine learning appeared, their possibilities have captured our imaginations and our darkest fears. The menacing potential of robots and machines to replace humans has always seemed like a science fiction scenario that wasn't entirely fiction. Ironically, this technology can do just the opposite, by helping humanity overcome a very real and existential threat in the form of climate change. In fact, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics make a great team as society attempts to transition to clean and renewable sources of energy generation. Transforming the nation's energy infrastructure requires numerous changes, not just to the fuel sources but to the myriad of support systems and equipment required to achieve this transformation. Advanced digital and mechanical innovation can facilitate these ancillary needs in several ways. Power Production The first step in renewable energy generation is development. AI and robotics are helping renewable developers in many ways. Sites must be identified and evaluated, and the necessary equipment must be manufactured and installed before any power can be generated. Just as robotics are doing in other industries, they are improving the manufacturing process for solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable generating equipment. The role of robotics in manufacturing has been expanding, as robots perform tasks more quickly, efficiently, and safely than humans. More companies are also turning to robotics when they need to address a shortage of qualified labor in manufacturing. The California-based manufacturer, Orbital Composites, specializes in “reducing blade costs and footprints by cutting transportation expenses.” Using a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE), the company is teaming up with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine to develop a process using 3D printing and robotics to manufacture wind turbine blades on the site of their installation. The process will streamline the manufacturing of turbines and eliminate the logistical challenges of delivering equipment to remote, inaccessible locations. After power generating equipment has been manufactured, developers use data analytics, algorithms, and modeling—all features of AI—for more effectively evaluating sites for the development of renewable sources, like wind power, solar, and geothermal. DroneDeploy is a software company that employs so-called “digital twins” or computer renderings to help companies evaluate sites. Using drones, cameras, robots, and software, the company captures data and produces maps and modules. Solar developers use this information to make informed assessments of their sites and implement a layout of panels that maximizes electricity generation. Geothermal power also faces challenges in site evaluation that can be addressed with AI and robotics. The selection process is typically very labor intensive. Developers analyze geological surveys that are conducted by humans relying on traditional methods. AI can dramatically improve the speed, reliability, and accuracy of this process by analyzing vast amounts of geological data and identifying suitable reservoirs of geothermal resources. AI can dramatically improve the speed, reliability, and accuracy of this process by analyzing vast amounts of geological data and identifying suitable reservoirs of geothermal resources. This saves companies money and time, enabling them to effectively select sites with the greatest potential for development. Inspection and Maintenance Once renewable sites are developed and utilized, they must be inspected and maintained. AI and robotics can help utilities improve the safety and efficiency of these processes. Wind turbines and solar farm panels are typically installed in locations that are far from densely populated areas and often difficult to access. Even when located in more accessible places, wind turbines still require teams of humans to scale dangerous heights using ropes and other suspended equipment to make visual inspections. Likewise, geothermal and wave generation resources pose accessibility challenges to humans due to the uniqueness of their locations. Utilities can now reduce time, costs, and safety risks by using smart technology to perform inspections and maintenance. Utilities can now reduce time, costs, and safety risks by using smart technology to perform inspections and maintenance. Tim Lichti is the co-founder and CEO of Swap Robotics, an Ontario, Canada-based company that builds robots designed to provide yard maintenance on solar farms. The company’s “solar vegetation robots” provide a much-needed service around the panels. The mobile units drive through the rows of panel arrays, cutting grass and weeds before they interfere with solar generation. According to Lichti, “the outdoor world needs to be maintained.” He explains that “after the solar farm is built, the biggest expense that is ongoing is cutting the grass and the vegetation.” Drones can also fly into remote locations and inspect turbines or geothermal wells. They can scan, take high-resolution images, and capture data in a fraction of the time it takes a team of human inspectors to perform the same tasks. The information they gather helps detect issues that might go unnoticed by the human eye. Drones can also inspect turbines, panels, and other equipment for damage after a storm, wildfire, or other natural disaster when human access is impeded. Robotic technology aids in the inspection of large solar farms. Mobile robots, which resemble a toy car that a toddler would love to drive, can travel an entire solar farm, inspect materials, take images, and capture data on panels and arrays more quickly and efficiently than humans. Some robots are equipped with highly sophisticated thermal cameras to detect abnormal temperature fluctuations. These signal issues or defects in the panels that must be addressed. Robots are also deployed to provide security for solar farms. They move around the perimeter of the farm and send live images back to monitors in a control center where humans can respond to security issues. Because they are mobile, these robots cover much more ground and many more angles than stationary monitors and can help utilities avoid theft of expensive equipment. Would-be thieves aren't the only interlopers utilities need to keep away from their renewable generating facilities. Birds can be a major nuisance and safety hazard. In many cases, the birds themselves are a threatened or endangered species, presenting utilities with the added challenge of having to protect their equipment without harming or killing the culprits. Here, too, robotic technology and AI are helping utilities come up with a solution. The Edge Company is an Italian-based firm that uses artificial intelligence to help wind farm operators detect the presence of flocks of birds to avoid collisions and disruptions in their operations. The S9 Bird Control Robot by the California-based SMP Robotics scares away flocks from solar farm panels to help keep the panels clean and power generation uninterrupted. Robotics can also assist in extreme climates, where freezing temperatures can disrupt and damage wind turbines. The Latvian company, Areones, uses a specially designed drone to lift heavy materials to efficiently clean, spray, and de-ice frozen turbine blades. Artificial intelligence and machine learning help with maintenance by using data analytics and algorithms to identify, predict, and isolate problems. Finally, artificial intelligence and machine learning help with maintenance by using data analytics and algorithms to identify, predict, and isolate problems; schedule appropriate maintenance; and accurately time generation. For example, they can analyze weather and tide information to help schedule wind or tidal power generation, maximize output, and minimize unnecessary strains on the system. Grid Management One of the biggest challenges for the growth of renewables is achieving and maintaining a balanced integration with the existing distribution grid. Some renewable sources, such as wind and solar, are highly intermittent. They can generate power only when the resource is plentiful, e.g., when the wind blows and the sun shines. These times don't necessarily correspond to the times of peak demand. Furthermore, renewable power is often generated by small facilities that are located closer to the consumer rather than on or near large sites, like a coal-fired power plant. These distributed generating facilities pose unique challenges to grid operators. Traditional power generation from coal-fired plants, for example, take time to achieve peak generation or “ramp up.” Renewables can be used to compensate for this delay, but only if they are plentiful and in ready supply. These and other unique characteristics factor into the management of power generation, demand, and distribution on the grid. Operators must take steps to maintain a balanced or level flow of energy, ensuring adequate supply, avoiding disruptions, and preventing spikes. Grid operators must take steps to maintain a balanced or level flow of energy, ensuring adequate supply, avoiding disruptions, and preventing spikes. AI and robotics are helping the industry achieve this goal. The solution revolves mostly around the gathering, analysis, and application of data. This synthesis of digital information has also created its own growing vernacular of new terminology. For example, the combined effect of data processing is now commonly referred to as the “smart grid.” A smart grid processes information about demand, generation, and distribution much more quickly and efficiently than humans, making the grid run more smoothly and reliably, without disruptions. One feature of the smart grid is predictive analytics. Through computer analysis of information about renewable resources and weather patterns, utilities can make proactive decisions about when power is most likely to be generated, how much will be generated, which assets will generate it, and how the production will intersect with expected demand. Through this analysis, grid operators can maximize the use of renewable resources to ensure smooth operation on the grid. One feature of a smart grid created by AI is the so-called “self-healing grid.” Centralized computer systems gather information from remote sensors and equipment that communicate with one another over the internet, otherwise known as the “Internet of Things” (IoT). This processing of information from multiple remote sites enables utilities to make continuous “self-assessments” to quickly detect issues and avoid service disruptions. Traditionally, utilities have had to rely on customer complaints to identify issues, then send out teams to make repairs. Instead, the self-healing smart grid allows them to detect, and sometimes even predict, problems in real-time and reroute power to avoid outages and the need to deploy teams of service repair personnel. The smart grid has also created a new, hybrid type of consumer: “Prosumers” are utility customers who consume and produce power. The smart grid has also created a new, hybrid type of consumer. “Prosumers” are utility customers who consume and produce power. Owners of solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming prosumers. The owner of a home with rooftop solar panels consumes electricity drawn from the grid when it is needed. At other times, the owner may send excess power back to the utility over the grid. This will happen during the day when the sun is at its peak and the panels are busy generating electricity, but the home is not drawing much power because the owner is away. EV owners may also be prosumers. At times, they will draw power from the grid to charge their vehicle. At other times, the utility may draw power from the charged vehicle and send it to other sites where it is needed. In this way, the utility is using the vehicle like a storage device that supports the grid with backup power. Smart grid technology makes prosumers possible and gives utilities and grid operators the ability to manage them effectively. This allows them to manage power from renewables more effectively to ensure smooth distribution over the grid. AI and robotics are also empowering so-called micro-grids. These are small subsets of grids that service customers in a limited and defined area, often ones that are remote and inaccessible. Microgrids provide their own generation, typically through one or more sources of renewable power. They support the smooth operation of larger grids and often provide security and protection against various forms of natural disasters that can disrupt service in the areas. In the same way that grid operators are using the technology, micro-grids are also using AI to manage generation and distribution of their limited resources. Micro-grids are a useful tool for grid operators, and AI is making them more feasible in various locations. (For more on solar micro-grids see also “Power for the People”—How Solar Mini-Grids Help the Disadvantaged, April 2022, theearthandi.org.) Conclusion Stephen Hawking has been quoted as saying that “AI is either the best thing that ever happened to humanity, or the worst.” Scary images of metallic evildoers bent on the destruction of their creators make for good movies and comic books. The reality is much more nuanced and constructive. The development and use of AI and robotic technology does pose questions of an existential nature. Far from being a harbinger of the end of the human race, technology can and is being harnessed to help save it. Climate change is perhaps the greatest threat ever posed to humanity’s continued existence on the planet. AI and robotics are being used in many ways to help humanity face this threat. *Rick Laezman is a freelance writer in Los Angeles, California, US. He has a passion for energy efficiency and innovation. He has covered renewable power and other related subjects for over ten years.

By Angelica Sirotin* The global narrative on energy is rapidly evolving towards green, sustainable solutions. Central to this narrative is the concept of a “green grid”—a modernized, intelligent electric power grid capable of integrating, managing, and distributing renewable energy efficiently. A modernized grid facilitates the efficient distribution of energy, ensuring that power generated from renewable sources reaches the areas where it's needed. This is crucial for minimizing energy wastage, power fluctuations, and ensuring energy security. Currently, an outdated US grid leaves large quantities of renewable energy capacity untapped. A smart grid integrates a diverse array of renewable energy sources leading to a more sustainable energy ecosystem. The technological advancements needed for this integration are challenging, and require substantial investments in research and development to manage the two-directional flow of electricity. [For more on smart grids see also the E&I article “The Role of AI and Robotics in the Renewable Energy Transition” (October/November 2023).] Microgrids, Decentralization, and Resilience Microgrids are localized energy grids that can operate autonomously from the traditional, centralized grid. They enable local energy generation, storage, and distribution, and provide enhanced resilience. For instance, during natural disasters like hurricanes, which can disrupt the main grid, microgrids can detach and operate independently, ensuring continuous power supply to the local community. They can be powered by various energy sources, such as local renewables, batteries, or other small-scale, decentralized energy technologies. This enhanced grid resilience is vital in a world increasingly reliant on electricity. Microgrids enable local energy generation, storage, and distribution, and provide enhanced resilience. Sustainable Energy Futures in Germany Germany and the USA, at different junctures in their energy transition journey, illustrate the challenges and opportunities inherent in this transformation. Germany's Energiewende (energy transition) testifies to the nation's commitment to a sustainable energy future. The initiative encompasses a phased withdrawal from fossil fuels and nuclear power, alongside a robust expansion of renewable energy within the power sector. Germany has set ambitious targets for its Energiewende, aiming to derive 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. As of 2021, renewables accounted for 47% of Germany’s electricity production, with wind power being the largest contributor. In addition, Germany aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Policies like the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), which provides incentives for renewable producers, and the Climate Action Program 2030, which outlines measures to meet the 2030 emissions target, support these goals. The current German electricity grid system is wrestling with its management of the renewable power generated. The linchpin to the success of this ambitious endeavor lies in the adequacy and modernization of the energy infrastructure. The current German electricity grid system is wrestling with its management of the renewable power generated—there are times when surplus electric wind power in the German northern coastal regions cannot be transferred to the southern industrial regions where the demand is high. Policy shaping within the German parliamentary system to align energy and climate policy with practical implementation is complex. The natural gas delivery disruptions from Russia during the initial assault on Ukraine strengthened the political resolve for the energy transition. Nevertheless, the German government is challenged to balance its ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, emission reductions, and grid modernization with stakeholder interests, managing transition costs, citizens’ objections to constructing new national grid lines, and ensuring energy equity. The Future in the USA Across the Atlantic, the USA is navigating its energy transition at a different pace and scale. The USA has a diverse energy policy landscape with federal, state, and local regulations playing significant roles. The federal government sets the broader energy policy agenda, but states have a considerable amount of autonomy in implementing and advancing their energy policies. For instance, California has been a front runner in setting ambitious renewable energy targets and promoting grid modernization initiatives. The state's commitment to achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045 testifies to the potential of state policy in driving the energy transition. So far, results are considerable (as of 2022): 54.2% of total energy was produced from non-GHG sources (solar: 17%; wind: 10.8%; large hydro: 9.24%; nuclear: 9.18%; geothermal: 4.67%; biomass: 2.15%; small hydro: 1.12%). Nevertheless, the consumer electricity price has risen sharply, California has one of the highest electricity prices in the nation: 19.65 cents/kWh (as of 2021). The utility-owned microgrid cluster in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood demonstrates how microgrids can modernize energy infrastructure and contribute to community energy resilience and management in urban areas. Facilitated by ComEd and Siemens Grid Software US, the microgrid is capable of serving approximately 1,000 customers, ensuring that they have access to power even during extreme weather events or other disruptions to the main grid. The microgrid cluster in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood is capable of serving approximately 1,000 customers, ensuring that they have access to power even during extreme weather events or other disruptions to the main grid. It utilizes various energy sources, including a 500-kW solar PV installation, and is capable of islanding itself from the main grid during outages, providing continuous power supply to residents for four hours without its natural gas generation. The project not only enhances energy security but also provides a model for integrating renewable energy and optimizing grid performance through advanced grid management technologies. It demonstrates microgrids’ potential to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to communities around the world. Investment Needs and Policy Framework The transition towards a green grid necessitates large financial commitments. Worldwide, an estimated investment of $21 trillion until 2050 is needed to upgrade grids to meet net-zero targets, not counting the cost of new solar panels and wind turbines. The investment is not only about the physical hardware but extends to the software systems necessary for efficient grid management, research and development for new technologies, training of personnel, and public engagement to foster a culture of energy conservation and efficiency. Worldwide, an estimated investment of $21 trillion until 2050 is needed to upgrade grids to meet net-zero targets. The funding for these investments can come from a variety of sources including government subsidies, private investments, and international financial collaborations. A conducive policy and regulatory framework are imperative to foster innovation, incentivize green energy adoption, and facilitate the smooth transition towards a green grid. International Collaboration International collaboration plays a pivotal role in accelerating the global energy transition. Sharing best practices, technological innovations, and financial resources across borders significantly enhances the pace and scale of the global transition towards a green grid. Some experts suggest only integrating national European power networks can deliver the potential benefits of achieving energy transition goals in Europe. The Way Forward Reflecting on the way forward, several key takeaways emerge: Investment in technological advancements and grid modernization is essential for the efficient distribution and management of renewable energy. Microgrids and decentralized energy systems enhance resilience and energy security. The combination of micro- and smart grids promises a practical pathway toward achieving energy transition goals, as being implemented, for example, in Germany. International collaboration, coupled with a conducive policy and regulatory framework, accelerates the global energy transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Through a concerted effort among nations, industries, and individuals, the vision of a green grid powering a sustainable world is an attainable reality, heralding a new era of energy that is clean, green, and sustainable. *Angelica Sirotin is a social impact venture entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of Sirotin Ventures. She is a member of the WEF AI Youth Council, B20 Indonesia 2022 Digitalization Taskforce, and has been selected as a SwissCognitive Global AI Ambassador 2022.

Interview with Dr. Lisa Miller, Founder of Columbia University’s Spirituality Mind Body Institute—Part 3 In part three of The Earth & I’s interview with Dr. Lisa Miller, she spoke at length about how the attributes and potential of Generation Z, which refers to people born between 1997 and 2012, might impact the natural environment. The Promise of Gen Z Dr. Lisa Miller: Gen Z possesses two wonderful milestones as they stand on our shoulders. The first is Gen Z does indeed have a sense of unitive awareness that fellow living beings and the Earth are conscious. They need more support and language around that, but they are quick to see it for the most part. The second thing that Gen Z already has in their hearts is the dignity and rights of fellow living beings. They are outraged by things such as the mistreatment of animals and deforestation that takes the lives of trees and food away from orangutans and their babies. So, the only piece that Gen Z, I think, is now on the cusp of starting to discover—and where we might be supportive in putting together the unitive reality and their deep respect for living beings—is that all life, the unitive reality, its expression, and the distinct point from incarnations to fellow living beings, are emanations of God. Where we have failed Gen Z is we have taken the voice, the witness of holy, sacred, ultimate Source— God—out of the public square. Forty years of silence have left a whole generation—and 40 years is long enough for somebody to grow up and have a child who is now Gen Z—without a deep roadmap of “how-to” language and understanding of the deep, unitive, sacred source of all life, whom I call God, the Universe, Spirit, Ashem, Allah, whatever one’s word might be, or Jesus, right? So, where I think we can support Gen Z now is in understanding that all life is sacred and to be respected; we are part of one unitive reality, and this whole thing, every bit of it—even you—is godly. There is ultimate sacredness. There has been a desanctification—an influx of radical materialism—and I think this desanctification that is so in the air and water has cut off Gen Z from the sense of connection to God. That has caused the epidemic—actually, I would say the pandemic—of suicide. There has been a desanctification—an influx of radical materialism—and I think this desanctification that is so in the air and water has cut off Gen Z from the sense of connection to God. That has caused the epidemic—actually, I would say the pandemic—of suicide. The desanctification of the environment is the source—I would say it is 98%, maybe 100% of the source—of the pandemic of suicide and homicides, school shootings, and mass shootings. We can fix this. And the good news is that Gen Z is in a developmental growth spurt in late adolescence and emerging adulthood. We are hardwired to be seekers, to be in a quest, to be biologically prepared to inquire of the head, “And what is the deep nature of life? Who am I in this landscape of reality?” And from the heart, “How might I love more deeply and who loves me, and am I alone or are we connected?” And so, Gen Z is on a hunt developmentally, and we see this in science through a 50% increase in inheritable contribution for spiritual capacity in ages 15–18 and 20–22. We are catching Gen Z at just the right moment to help them reshuffle the deck and understand reality that is foundationally sacred. That is what will create the generation that leads us into a unitive reality with all living beings and Earth. E&I: In your classroom, what sense do you have of where Gen Z is getting their guidance? The guidance that’s going to open their hearts to nature—how to get involved, how to care enough to make the changes in their own lives, grow their own food, volunteer, start their own shelter, or whatever. Do they talk about that? Dr. Lisa Miller: Gen Z considers it normative and important to convene. They are conveners, whether they can be in small groups, whether they can be in crowd sourcing, whether they have a mission and they exercise it by getting 400,000 other Gen Zs to do something. They understand themselves in collective, which I take to be a human expression of their deep awareness of the unitive nature of life. They do not see themselves as a solo act. I would say that the Millennials and older—including myself—see ourselves as connected to others but also see ourselves as pursuing our path, whether it be a path of contribution or service. There is a very dominant presence of making our way. Meanwhile, Gen Z thinks in terms of making “Our” way. They are foremost aware of the superordinate. Where Gen Zs Get Their Guidance That said, where do they get their guidance? Well, in very much part from one another. They learn from multiple teachers, which is, of course, part of the spiritual path, Dharma, resonating with what comes as it comes, with what teacher might come in our path or what tradition we encounter on our own journey. They are learners from what I might call “trail angels,” multiple teachers. They learn from one another in the sense their lives are a great blessed quest, which is precisely where I think we can have a more sustainable world. Where Gen Z Struggles Where I think they still struggle is that they can be at times more relativists, more ideologues, you know, “This person got it, this person doesn’t.” Instead of saying, “I disagree with what they said,” there is a tendency to, through the miseducation of Gen Z, to disagree with THAT person. “Actually, no, they’re a BAD person.” I think where Gen Z has been miseducated, in large part by academia, is in equating one’s ideas with the worthiness of one’s being. And when we are reawakened to the notion that we are all rays of the sun, all emanations of God, including all sacred sisters and brothers—even the person with whom you disagree—trees, plants, mountains, and the sun. If you are a Democrat, a Republican is a child of God, and vice versa—if you’re a Republican, a Democrat is a child of God. God loves EVERYBODY. And in so far as we are loved, held, guided, and never left alone by God, so, too, might we show up for one another, and that means for EVERYBODY to be loving, holding, guiding, and never leaving anyone alone. You do not cancel people because they have a difference of opinion. We do not cancel people because we might consider them to be in a place of learning or disagreement with our stance. [T]he reaction to everyone is that of love. It does not mean you agree with people. It does not mean you don’t take a stand … but no one is to be cancelled. So, the notion of being held, guided, and never alone, is a foundationally spiritual view through which everyone counts and the reaction to everyone is that of love. It does not mean you agree with people. It does not mean you do not take a stand. And, certainly, I am 100% for spiritual activism, but no one is to be cancelled or eradicated. Gandhi, in speaking of the British, said, “I don’t want to kill them. I want to change their minds.” Three Seasons in Life for ‘Spiritual Awakening’ In the course of a human life, there are hardwired periods of developmental depression, where, suddenly, what was fine yesterday—the people in our lives, our jobs, our situation, how we live, where we live—feels like it is not enough. There is a tendency to respond with, “I don’t think I want to be married to you anymore” or “I had better change my job.” But, actually, this is a hardwired, body/mind/spirit unitive shift from inside. It is a time of existential growth and emergence. Developmental depression is a booting up of an augmented capacity for spiritual life. It feels full of hunger and quest. It feels like a half-empty glass of spirituality. It is the mission or “knock at the door” for the emergence of a deeper spiritual awareness, of an awakening of our natural, awakened brain, or awakened awareness. It happens in emerging adulthood, where Gen Z is now, and it happens in a second bridge of midlife, and, again, in elderhood—three bridges of developmental depression—the knock at the door for spiritual awakening. This is not lost time nor down time. This is not time away from our careers. This is the most important work we will do and are beckoned to do so—we really have no choice. We are moving from a narrow, command-control, air traffic control perspective: “What do I want? How am I gonna get it? Where is this plane going to land?” to “Hey! I can control maybe 2% or 3% of life; if I push the elevator button, I don’t know if it’s coming in ten seconds or four minutes, if it’s packed, if it’s empty, if everyone has COVID-19 or is healthy, if there’s dogs on it—I have no idea who’s on the elevator. “We can control 2%–3% of life. Ninety-seven percent of life is flux, is dynamism, and actually is sacred and evolutionarily.” We can control 2%–3% of life. Ninety-seven percent of life is flux, is dynamism, and actually is sacred and evolutionarily. So, in these moments of despair, I can shift my conversation from narrow, achieving awareness for myself—“What do I want, how am I gonna get it, how do I close the deal? Why didn’t I get what I want?”—to beyond myself: “Wow! I didn’t get what I want. What is life showing me now? What is God asking of me now? What, through the knowing of my heart through which I talk to God, Spirit, or through fellow living beings, seek guidance, synchronicity, am I being asked to understand, deepen, go beyond my ego, have an ego dump that can grow and expand to a greater state of awakened awareness?” Developmental depression is the knock at the door for spiritual awakening. Well, right now, coming out of COVID-19, we have had a mass, global, post-industrial, developmental depression. This is our knock at the door, for an ego dump, from where we ask, collectively, “What do we want? How are we gonna get it, whether it be bigger, better, faster, and more money, power, control, and my way?” to “Wait a minute! We can’t control any of that. The schools were closed. The hospitals were full. The government can’t take care of you every day. What is life showing us now? What in life is real?” Well, what was real is our beautiful Earth. What was real was the regeneration of Earth, the birds started singing, the forest repopulated, and there were more animals that didn’t get hit by cars on the highways, who could live and have offspring. The Earth, very quickly, started to regenerate and become more alive. What was real—"What is life trying to show me now?”—is that we are loved, held, and guided; we are never alone. COVID-19 was scary, but we did not fall through the existential black hole. We were loved, held, and guided. This was the mass developmental depression, the knock at our door for our new emergence, our renaissance of profound awakening, and our awakened awareness after which we are loving, holding, and guiding all living beings, including animals and human beings. No one is ever alone. *Lisa Miller, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Education at the Teachers College and Founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute of Columbia University. She is also the bestselling author of The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life. Editor’s Note: For the Earth & I, Jerry Chesnut spoke with Dr. Lisa Miller.

Interview With Dr. Lisa Miller, Founder of Columbia University's Spirituality Mind Body Institute Dr. Lisa Miller spoke with The Earth & I about our sacred bond with nature: I am going to start with a story. Some years ago, I was on the river near our home, and it was March, so the snow had just melted, and the waters were high and strong, and I thought, “What a great day to go kayaking!” So, I hopped in my kayak. Suddenly, as I hit the midpoint of my travels, a goose, and another right behind her, started squawking and craning their necks [as if to say], “Go right! Go right!” The message was clear—and the message was strong and unanimous—so I pulled my kayak to the right. And, as I moved by the geese, I saw I had narrowly averted a big cement pylon in the middle of the river. The geese had really saved me. As I went another 300 yards downstream, new geese appeared and began to squawk and gesture, “Go left!” and I thought, “I’ll follow their instructions,” and I again averted another buried impediment under the river (the waters were high). The third time I approached an impediment, there were no geese. I did not know where I was, and I hit the impediment and flipped over in the March waters, barely holding onto my kayak. I looked up and, high on the cliff above, there was a human couple. So, I waved with one hand and called out, “Down here! Down here!” and, truly, they looked at me, got back in their luxury car, and drove away. So, the geese had saved me twice that day and the humans did not really show up, or perhaps did not fully connect with the moment. But I think what I experienced that day was a microcosm of the fact that all living beings of all different sorts are in relationship with one another and are very present and aware. Included in the range of those relationships is “care” and “love” and “protection” and “guidance” in the sense that we show up as emanations of the force of life—loving, holding, and guiding—and everybody is part of the symphony, except, at times, we humans. “What I experienced that day was a microcosm of the fact that all living beings of all different sorts are in relationship with one another and are very present and aware.” I can only imagine how terrifying and bizarre we must look to fellow living beings. It is as if we have gouged out our eyes and covered our ears. We are deaf to the present living moment, to the needs of fellow living beings, and to the help and love and connection with our fellow living beings. We must look strangely “cut off” from the rest of the world. But everyone else is showing up, and we humans are this close—every one of us—to reawakening our awareness of our capacity to be in relationships with other living beings. It really is a matter of being present and feeling that deep love of what I call God, or Source, and being 100% “on” and alive to see who is showing up right before us. If I were not listening to the geese, I would have capsized in a violent way, and yet, when I needed the humans—I don’t think they were bad folks; I think if I’d met them at a school board meeting, they would have been very gracious—they did not dial into the moment, to the needs of fellow human beings that day. So, this is a good opening, perhaps, to our discussion today of who we really are to one another and who we are to all emanations—like rays of the sun—our fellow living beings in nature. E&I: I recall reading a passage from an article where you were talking about humans being like whitecaps on an ocean. And the ocean was the totality of consciousness or the Source or whatever word one cares to use. Don’t you think that animals, everything that lives, is a whitecap on that same ocean? Dr. Lisa Miller: Absolutely! Every animal, every plant. I would say every body of water, and water itself, all bodies of water, the clouds, the sky, every bit of creation, the sun, the mountains, and the Earth. When I speak to my students at Columbia on this point, I say we are a “point” and part of a “wave.” We are each distinct and unique. We have different, zipped-up, bio bodysuits and GPS coordinates, and we are, indeed, part of the mind and body of life, one sacred consciousness field—whitecaps on one ocean. In this duality of being, both as a point and part of a wave, we can show up as a point—uniquely, as we are, as we have been called into position into this world—and hold the deep awareness, the unitive awareness of love and interbeing with all of life. We feel each other’s needs—their “calls”—and turn to Source for guidance, and do our job as a distinct point into which we have incarnated. And that is a tremendous opportunity, as we “show up” for each other. “In this duality of being, both as a point and part of a wave, we can show up as a point … and hold the deep awareness, the unitive awareness of love and interbeing with all of life. We feel each other’s needs—their “calls”—and turn to Source for guidance, and do our job as a distinct point into which we have incarnated.” I sometimes use the term “trail angels” as an expression of the way in which we are guided through our unitive awareness to show up for one another in this state of interbeing in which we are both one “sea of love” consciousness as well as having unique, distinct incarnate roles to play. This is an opportunity to realize, I think, something sacred in every step. Nothing is wasted, nothing is accidental. Everything from the guy on the subway to the bird in front of me as I wait in traffic—every single piece is important. E&I: This is not a typical college curriculum…, so how do you see this manifesting in your students when they immerse themselves in this material for a full semester? What do they tell you? How does it change their lives, especially vis a vis animals and nature? Dr. Lisa Miller: Well, this is such an important point because this generation, Gen Z, has grown up with an implicit understanding of a unitive reality, whereas, forty years ago, we picked up a telephone that was connected by a wire; everything had a mechanistic route. Gen Z has spent their whole life pulling information out of the air, or being connected to people at radically different GPS coordinates simultaneously. So, the notion that we inhabit one unitive consciousness field, and yet are distinct points in a three-dimensional sense, is very much resonant and at home with them. Gen Z hungers for a language, for a system of meaning, for an academia, a science that you show up in and share that lived reality. And I think you have people now—activists, scholars, people of great wisdom—who are bringing forward— verbally, explicitly, through action and activism, and walking the walk—a unitive reality. So, Gen Z is very quick and hungry for this, and when the conversation in other settings might slide into the materialistic and mechanistic, I watch their eyes glaze over because it does not resonate with their reality. So, we are poised and ready to go. I think where Gen Z might continue to expand and flourish, and perhaps where we can be helpful is in the realization that every bit of this unitive field is sacred. We don’t need to feel fear… we’re not going to fall through an existential hole into oblivion. There is something in the deep fabric of reality, who I call God and others might say Source or Hashem, Jesus, the Universe, Allah, whatever one’s word might be. There’s an Ultimate Source or Force, loving, holding, and guiding, through which we are never alone. And because the very resource that nature absorbs is loving, holding, and guiding, not only will we not erupt or existentially face Hell, but our way forward will unfold if we allow ourselves to be an open system to be used with what is our birthright, the neuro docking station that is awakened awareness. I share in my book, The Awakened Brain, that everyone of us is born innately with this neuro docking station, an innate transcendent awareness. We are built for the sacred, transcendent relationship through which we receive guidance, as well as direction for our frightened, seemingly isolated moment in which we are actually loved and held. So, this is our birthright and how the universe is built. I think we then step into the urgency of understanding our environment more deeply, just as we are built—to be loving, holding, guiding to one another and other beings. Not only do we have a transcendent relationship, not only do we feel God’s presence through our neuro docking station, but it is the very same neuro docking station through which we perceive immanence, the presence of all sacred force in every being—in every tree, in every ray of sunlight, in every fish and bird. Not only do we have a transcendent relationship, not only do we feel God’s presence through our neuro docking station, but it is the very same neuro docking station through which we perceive immanence, the presence of all sacred force in every being—in every tree, in every ray of sunlight, in every fish and bird. So, where is God? Well, God is here and in this beautiful planet. God is everywhere. And this is something that inhabited human knowledge for so many thousands of years; we knew this. And then we got a little bit frozen out and lost sight of this. And no one was more lost than perhaps the sciences in the 20th century when we moved away from a deep intersubjectivity with all living beings, where nature was not just beautiful, but we were emanations of nature. Nature was our guide, our teacher, our parent, our child for whom to care. Nature is part of our family. The sciences got very lost in the 20th century and objectified nature. And nothing, I think, was a worse lesson for humanity than to dissect a frog in fifth grade to say “this life only has knowledge for you when it is dead and cut open on the table.” That is a real violation of the life of that living being, the little frog, and it is also a violation of the growing child who actually would learn far much more, I’m sure, if she or he were to watch the frog and befriend the frog and learn how the frog handles weather when it’s cold and how it learns to work with its own little babies and tadpoles. That would have been a lesson in relationship, and certainly a relationship in sustainability. So, we need to revisit how we teach science. We need to revisit how we teach who we are in our relationship to Earth in just about every academic discipline. That is because the “silent” curriculum is the one that is infused with radical materialism, a lack of intersubjectivity, and radical objectivity that, in the end, really leads people to feel lonely, and isolated, and willing to harm the Earth. We end up thinking that we are stampeding on an inert Earth, as opposed to being in a deep, connected relationship, learning from and watching Earth, while giving something back to protect Earth. *Lisa Miller, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Education at the Teachers College and Founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute of Columbia University. She is also the bestselling author of The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.

The Earth & I spoke with Terry Cummings, founder of the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Poolesville, Maryland. E&I: What does a typical day for you at the animal sanctuary look like? Terry Cummings: Well, we have over 250 rescued animals—horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and a few other animals: a peacock, peahen, two alpacas—a little bit of everything. We get up early and start feeding and watering them. We have a couple of baby animals still on bottles—they need care around the clock. This morning I took some sutures out of a wound on a goat’s udder and trimmed some hooves, and bottle-fed my little baby piglet that I’m taking care of. So, we’re pretty busy. I don’t even really get a whole night’s sleep right now. Usually at about 8 a.m., the staff comes in. We have about fifteen paid staff working here. Volunteers arrive at 9 a.m. During the day, we get twenty or thirty phone calls from people looking for homes for animals, and for advice about how to take care of their animals. We are limited by our barn space and funding, so we really don’t take in a lot of new animals every year because we keep them for their whole life. Since we don’t adopt them out, our turnover is low. We never want to take more animals than we can properly care for, so we network with other groups to help find homes for the ones we can’t take. We work with humane societies and other organizations. They take stray animals or [those] from cruelty cases, and they ask us if we can help. If we can, we do. Recently, we are getting a lot of calls from people who are keeping pigs as pets, and a lot of backyard chickens, which has become legalized in many suburban areas—although most of the communities allow only hens. Of course, if people are hatching baby birds, 50% of those will be boys. But they’re not allowed to keep them. People try to keep them, but then neighbors complain about crowing. Humane societies will tell them they have to find another place for them, and so they call us. Unfortunately, roosters fight with each other, so we can’t take very many. That has become a real problem. E&I: How did you start all this? What motivated you to do this? Cummings: I’ve always loved animals. I majored in animal science at the University of Maryland in College Park and got a lot of exposure—I worked with cows, pigs, goats, and sheep. When I graduated, I was looking for a job that didn’t involve harming animals. All the animal science careers that I looked into involved using and then killing animals in some way. I went back to school and got my degree as a vet tech also. I ended up working at the [Smithsonian National Zoological Park] in DC for twelve years as a veterinary technician because that seemed to be the least harmful to animals at the time. I really enjoyed it, but then started feeling bad about zoos because I really got to know wild animals in captivity. Then I thought, maybe, I could help animals that are domesticated like farm animals. During the time I was working at the zoo, my husband Dave and I started renting the little farmhouse in the middle of this 438-acre farm. It was next to where a farmer was keeping about 200 cows just roaming the property. We thought, “Oh, that seems like a good life for them. They get to do whatever they want.” But after the first couple months, I saw that “maybe it’s not a very good life for them” because the farmer just rented the land and would come here only once a week. In the summertime, the cows had lots of grass to eat, but in the wintertime, the farmer wouldn’t bring enough hay, and the cows were starving. We had started making friends with the cows. We named them, we watched them having their babies. We saw their social relationships with each other—how the mother cows all knew their babies and would all go out together and leave some of the younger female cows to babysit. I was shocked to see them being starved to death. If one of them got too weak and fell on the ground, the farmer would just put a chain on a leg, use his tractor, drag it into the barn behind us, and leave it there to die, slowly, with no food and water. I called the Montgomery [County Maryland] Humane Society and reported him for cruelty to animals. I was shocked when they told me that farm animals are exempt from anti-cruelty laws, not only in Maryland but in all states. Back in the fifties and sixties, when anti-cruelty laws were created, farmers lobbied to be exempt because so many of their common practices would be considered cruel. Farm animals are exempt from anti-cruelty laws, not only in Maryland but in all states. All these things were coming into my awareness. I could not live in a place where someone was torturing animals. So, Dave and I told the owner of the farm that we just can’t live in a place like this. She said, “Well, I don’t like it either. I didn’t know this was happening.” She told the farmer to leave and said to us, “I will let you [the Cummings] rent the whole farm, if you could do something agricultural so that my taxes will be lower.” We said, “What about an [animal] sanctuary?” She said, “Well, as long as that qualifies, yes.” The tax people said, “Yes.” That’s how we started. I quit my job at the zoo; we made up some brochures, sent them out to the local humane societies, told them if they ever took in any farm animals that we would be available to give them a home. We incorporated as a non-profit organization and started getting donations as people heard about us. Volunteers started to come from our local high school and our local elementary school. The students were getting service-learning hours for coming here. E&I: So, this was a new beginning for you? Cummings: One day before all this [starting an animal sanctuary] happened, I had observed men with baseball bats and electric shockers taking the [cow] mothers away from their babies. The babies were crying, the mothers were crying. … The men said, “What do you think we’re doing? We’re taking them to the slaughterhouse. That’s what they’re here for.” When I pleaded, “Please don’t take them,” they just laughed and kept putting the cows on the truck. That was the day that Dave and I both became vegetarian. A couple years later, we became vegan. … We started thinking: “We changed because of meeting the animals.” … We thought, if we start a sanctuary, then other people can get to know them, too, and maybe care about them more. If nothing else, these animals deserve better treatment. We hope … that people maybe reduce the number of animals they eat even if they don’t become vegetarian or vegan. “After … about ten years, the owner of the property donated the whole farm to us.” That was our goal in starting a sanctuary for farm animals—not only to rescue the ones that we could, but to also open our sanctuary and let people see how wonderful these animals are, how they all have personalities, how they all deserve our care and compassion. That is how we started Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary. Then, after we’d been doing it for about ten years, the owner of the property donated the whole farm to us. We feel so lucky. We started filling up in a hurry. We started getting calls from all over the country because there weren’t—and still aren’t—very many places that can take these types of animals. E&I: When you see the children and adults interacting with the animals, what’s their reaction? We open our doors to school groups. We do internships. Children are the future, so, we want them to learn about compassion for—and better treatment of—animals, to experience interacting with them because most kids and adults never had an opportunity to do so. I think deep down, our instinct is to care for and love these animals, but we have been taught, “No, don’t feel that way about them because it’s too difficult.” At least for me, growing up I was told, “Don’t think about them like that because you have to eat meat.” “Our instinct is to care for and love these animals, but we have been taught, ‘No, don’t feel that way about them because it’s too difficult.’ ” When I see these young people coming through ... we’ve seen a lot of change in the children. At first, they’re all excited, noisy, and loud, just thinking it’s like a petting zoo—they’re just going to have fun. But then we tell them about where the animals come from, and how they were treated before they came here. Sometimes, the parents would say, “I don’t want my children to hear terrible stories.” I would respond, “Watch the kids. They don’t cry because of the stories. They are concerned, they want something to be done.” I used to visit schools before COVID-19 and show pictures of the animals: for example, a turkey who had her toes and her beak cut off because that’s what they do at turkey farms. The farms keep them very close together and don’t want them scratching or pecking each other. So, when they first hatch, they de-toe and de-beak them. One little boy raised his hand. “The persons who did this, they’re in jail, right?” I thought, “As they should be.” The children understand this is wrong; it shouldn’t be legal. I said, “No, it’s totally legal, the farmers are allowed to do that.” Nobody cried, but these little kids just said, “No, this is bad. This is wrong. The man should go to jail.” I thought, “This is really encouraging—that’s their instinct.” I love having children come here so we can talk to them, and they really understand. Obviously, we talk to them age specific. ... It’s planting a seed, if nothing else. They’re learning, they’re understanding a different perspective they didn’t have before. We’ve had some groups visit with children who themselves had been abused, some of them had been taken out of their parents’ home because of child abuse. These kids say they really relate to the animals who have also been abused. They say, “Yeah, I understand like why that animal doesn’t want to be touched.” “These animals are so gentle, they don’t judge, they are calm and loving, and they’ll come up to the kids and let them put their arms around them and let them pet them.” Many children groups from the inner city in Washington, DC., also visit. They have never worked with or seen these farm animals before—they’re not used to walking on grass, they’re overwhelmed by everything. It’s a very good experience for anybody to spend time with the animals, interacting with them. Because these animals are so gentle, they don’t judge, they are calm and loving, and they’ll come up to the kids and let them put their arms around them and let them pet them. I think it’s just a very peaceful, wonderful experience for them. Many children groups from the inner city in Washington, DC., also visit. They have never worked with or seen these farm animals before—they’re not used to walking on grass, they’re overwhelmed by everything. It’s a very good experience for anybody to spend time with the animals, interacting with them. Because these animals are so gentle, they don’t judge, they are calm, and loving, and they’ll come up to the kids and let them put their arms around them and let them pet them. I think it’s just a very peaceful, wonderful experience for them. E&I: Obviously, it takes a lot of effort and staff to take care of the animals. How are you funded? Cummings: We’re funded totally from donations from the public. We don’t get any county, state, or federal funding. We do about four fundraisers a year. We have a “race” for the animals in the spring, a 5k-run, and a 1-mile “fun walk.” We have an open house and a “Thanksgiving with the Turkeys,” where the turkeys are the guests of honor. We do tours and charge a small fee for the tour. We also do animal sponsorships: Instead of adopting an animal, people pay a monthly donation, they get a framed photo of their animal, they get the animal’s story, and then they get to come and visit their animal when they want to. E&I: When you summarize your experiences, what do you plan for the future? Cummings: We’d like to grow our community involvement. There’s a new program just coming out educating high school students called “leap4animals.” It stands for Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet (LEAP), a compassionate agriculture program for students. It is sort of on the lines of 4-H, but it’s about teaching compassionate treatment of animals. Hopefully, we will do more educational outreach to the community—also using social media. … We started in 1997. So, we’ve been doing this for about twenty-seven years now. E&I: What has been your experience with interns and volunteers that have come? Cummings: It has been a really great experience with those we have worked with. As part of their Global Ecology program, Poolesville High School allows some students to get school credit for coming here and doing an internship during the school year. They get to come here for a couple of hours a day as part of their curriculum. They work with the animals here, and really benefit—how to care for the animals, how to medicate, how to interact with them. A lot of our students have gone on to become veterinarians and doctors. E&I: When you look at all your experiences throughout your life and look at the general society, the trends you see, what will be the alternative? What would be necessary to change? Cummings: Well, it’s so easy now to be vegan that people could start [being vegan] maybe one day a week? Just to try. It’s scary to think of doing it all at once. … I didn’t know how to make one thing vegetarian when I decided that I didn’t want to eat meat anymore. I had to figure it out. But it’s so much easier now. I think a lot of people even for health reasons are looking to more plant-based diets. It’s better for the planet, it’s better for the animals, it’s better for the people. E&I: Thank you very much. Editor’s Note: For The Earth & I, Christoph Wilkening spoke with Terry Cummings. For more information visit the sanctuary’s website at Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary.

Creating Hope and Progress During Climate Crises By Natasha Spencer-Joliffe* As climate change impacts millions of people around the globe, terminologies such as eco-grief, climate anxiety, and solastalgia, a combination of the words “solace” and “nostalgia,” have emerged to describe the distress over their broken relationships with the planet. Yet, dedicated grassroots-to-global climate actions spur hope, and citizens may find reassurance in the collective consciousness committed to combating climate change and its impact on mental health. How Environmental Crises Affect Mental Health The relationship between mental health and people’s environmental attitudes and actions are “intimately related and inseparable,” says Michael Goodman, professor of environment and development/human geography at the University of Reading in the UK. As climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods become more frequent and intense, more people are exposed to potentially traumatic events. As climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, become more frequent and intense, more people are exposed to potentially traumatic events, such as by witnessing injury or death, often of family members, friends, or neighbors. “With an increase in such exposure, many people will experience higher levels of psychological distress,” says Gary Cohen, co-founder and president of Health Care Without Harm, a US-based organization focusing on environmentally responsible healthcare. “There is growing recognition that our safety, health, and ability to thrive—as individuals, families, and communities—is in danger because of the increasing instability of our climate,” Cohen says. Climate-related disasters affect the social determinants of health because these events can lead to unemployment, homelessness and displacement, food and water insecurity, and loss of social support. As a result, these conditions can detrimentally affect people’s mental health. Expand Research and Public Awareness The growing number of studies on environmental disasters and their impacts on personal well-being reflect an elevated awareness of the relationship between climate change and mental health. In 2022, University of Cambridge researchers found a link between gender-based violence during or after extreme climate events. A 2018 study predicted that unmitigated climate change could lead to as many as 40,000 additional suicides in the US and Mexico by 2050. Scientific studies have also found connections between climate change and its effects on anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and aggression. UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index estimates that half of all the world’s children—over one billion—are at risk of climate impacts in their lifetimes. A May 2023 study in Nature Mental Health said that “[u]nlike previous generations, whose awareness of climate change was largely abstract and unlinked to daily life, contemporary young people are more aware of the results of climate change and the dearth of answers surrounding how this will impact their futures.” It cited a study of 10,000 youth in 10 countries that found that 59% were “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change and 84% were moderately worried. Research shows that the more access people have to green spaces and outdoor environments, the better mental health and physical health they have overall. Research shows that the more access people have to green spaces and outdoor environments, the better mental health and physical health they have overall. Green spaces and outdoor programs that focus on improving mental health convey the vital role of a healthy environment. At the Imperial College of London, UK, the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) and the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment formed a team of researchers, policy-makers and educators called “Climate Cares.” Together with international partners, they are engaged in a year-long project, Connecting Climate Minds, to initiate dialogues on climate change and mental health, exploring ideas on how to connect communities and pursue global research. Support Vulnerable Populations Survey data details the psychological distress experienced by people in contemplating the loss of a habitable planet and environmental destruction. Dr. Alison Hwong, researcher and postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, states that this distress may be disproportionately shouldered by children and adolescents, indigenous communities, low-income populations, and already vulnerable groups (such as those with serious mental illness). “While climate change affects everyone’s ability to thrive, underserved populations are more vulnerable to climate impacts—including mental health impacts—and have fewer available resources to adapt to the changing climate,” says Cohen. “We need healthy, happy, and supportive people who have access to the environment, who cannot just see the value of nature but also in preserving it for current and future generations in light of the climate emergency.” “We need healthy, happy, and supportive people who have access to the environment—whether poor, middle-class, or well-off, and living in the city, the suburbs or the countryside—who cannot just see the value of nature but also in preserving it for current and future generations in light of the climate emergency,” Goodman emphasizes. Following research exploring the effects of climate change on child and adolescent mental health, Hwong reports “on the power of youth climate activism, particularly, as a proactive and powerful response to climate change.” However, there are caveats, Hwong says: People need to ask about who is engaged in protecting the environment, what resources do they need, and what are the top priorities to address. A sense of the intrinsic value of nature is particularly critical for children and young people to support them in a time of climate emergency and crisis, Goodman says. It also promotes the development of an environmental ethic crucial for maintaining the planet’s health. Combatting Despair Around the globe, organizations are working collaboratively to help heal communities and the planetary environment. Health Care Without Harm believes health care needs to move upstream to address the social and environmental conditions affecting people’s health. The Climate Psychiatry Alliance is a group of mental health providers who educate about the climate change crisis and its impacts on mental health. The Carbon Almanac, a collaborative book project by 300 writers, strives to help combat climate despair and promote positive well-being. Community organizations, such as Toronto's shared space, The Bentway, create a shared sense of action through community events. “Collective climate action comes from those who have the mental and physical capacity to work for and support changes, so positive mental and physical health is crucial to the climate movement,” Goodman concludes. *Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe is a freelance journalist and editor. Over the past 10 years, Natasha has reported for a host of publications, exploring the wider world and industries from environmental, scientific, business, legal, and sociological perspectives. Natasha has also been interviewed as an insight provider for research institutes and conferences. Editorial notes Sources: Interviews with Michael Goodman, Professor of Environment and Development/Human Geography, University of Reading, UK. Interview insights from Gary Cohen, cofounder and president of Health Care Without Harm. Interview insights from Dr. Alison Hwong, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco.

The Ethical Dairy believes people care about ‘how their food is produced, its impact on the environment, and animal welfare.’ By Mark Smith* Nestled away in a southwest corner of Scotland lies the historic town of Gatehouse of Fleet. It got its name as the “Gait House,” or toll booth, on the late 18th century stagecoach route from Dumfries to Stranraer. These days, the picturesque location contains a waystation on an altogether different journey—a journey towards a kinder, more ethical way of dairy farming. Not far from town lies Rainton Farm. Run by couple David and Wilma Finlay, the farm differs from more traditional methods of dairy farming in that it keeps calves with their mothers—or dams as they are known—to suckle for several months. Under the name The Ethical Dairy, the couple’s venture has gone on to become the first commercial dairy in the UK to follow this “cow with calf” method of farming. Not only has it been a success—despite early “financially disastrous” setbacks—the Ethical Dairy is fast becoming a blueprint for others to follow. The couple say that not only is it the right thing to do, but with fluctuating commodity prices, it makes sound financial sense too. So, What’s Not to Love? For observers, consumers, and those who are not farmers, keeping a cow with its calf sounds like a nice thing to do. Why would anyone want to separate them? As with most things, it is not quite that simple. Separating the calf shortly after birth is very much the norm on dairy farms all over the world. Newborn calves are taken away within a few hours, housed separately, and fed artificially. Backers of this method say it stops the cow and calf from forming a strong bond, which reduced the stress of separation when it eventually comes. Cow-calf contact (CCC) backers say it produces emotional benefits for both animals. Some research has also shown biological benefits for calves, including improved weight gains. But there are arguments for keeping cow and calf together, too. Known as cow-calf contact (CCC), backers say it produces emotional benefits for both animals. Some research has also shown biological benefits for calves, including improved weight gains. The Ethical Dairy A firm believer in the latter way of doing things, The Ethical Dairy keeps calves with their dams for between five and six months, milking the cows just once a day. It produces organic milk and cheese. “Cow-with-calf ecological dairying is a system,” David told The Earth & I. “It requires system change, not least a change in management mindset. The cow and her calf are part of a complex ecological interaction of carbon, nutrients, insects, wild mammals, microbes, and us. “Once we learn to stop interfering in these natural processes but [learn] to better understand and facilitate them, we can begin to harness the power of nature without all the toxic downsides from the use of fertilizers and pesticides.” “The cow and her calf are part of a complex ecological interaction of carbon, nutrients, insects, wild mammals, microbes, and us.” He said their method has seen several benefits, which go beyond what they produce, including: Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than half. Reducing energy use by more than half. Cutting antibiotic use by 90%. Cutting agrochemical use by 90%. Doubling the productive life of cows. Increasing farm biodiversity five-fold. Increasing the net amount of food in its food system by 80%. Apart from the pros and cons debated by the scientific and farming communities is public perception—and that is increasingly in favor of what consumers perceive to be kinder and gentler methods, eschewing practices such as zero-grazing, tethering, dehorning, and euthanizing male calves. “There is no doubt that people’s concern of how their food is produced, its impact on the environment, and animal welfare has increased in recent years,” said Wilma. (For a further discussion of animal welfare see the article “A Labor of Love—How an Animal Sanctuary Heals Animals and People” in this issue.) “Many people will buy ‘less but better’ meat and dairy products; others will move towards more plant-based diets.” Can the Cow and Calf Method be Financially Viable? Beyond benefits to the animals and the environment, financial issues are a hot topic of debate. Proponents of cow and calf separation say it enables farmers to harvest the maximum amount of milk available for sale. In contrast, keeping cows with nursing calves can reduce the amount of milk available for human consumption by up to 20%. This is a major consideration given the financial pressures on the industry. In the UK where The Ethical Dairy operates, many dairy farmers are quitting due to production costs. The Finlays understand this dilemma. They first built a dairy designed to house calves with their mothers in 2012, and while it taught them a lot, they admit it was “financially disastrous.” In 2016, they committed to trying again and gave themselves three years to see if it could succeed. In late 2019, they made it a permanent shift. But David said there are two big challenges. “Firstly, it takes time—years—for the [grazing] soil to heal and begin the process of regeneration. “Secondly, there is an entire industry that makes a lot of money from the mess and misery of industrial agriculture. That feeds right through to our educational and research and development institutions and, ultimately, as all this generates a lot of tax, to government.” But David said their model makes financial sense in an era of unstable commodity prices. The Ethical Dairy model is organic, so it does not use artificial fertilizer. Instead, it has an anaerobic digester that produces fertilizer from the dung of the cows. The dairy is also registered as 100% pasture-fed, so it does not buy soya or cereals. David said this brings the cost of production much closer to the cost of producing conventional milk. “From a business perspective, the model is resource-efficient and financially resilient, being relatively unaffected by global commodity price volatility and how that feeds into the cost-of-living crisis,” he said. “This approach favors the family farm scale dairy and insulates them from competition from large scale dairy—as the management challenges make this way of farming difficult to operate at large scale.” Spreading the Message The pair say The Ethical Dairy is a model for others in the industry to follow in their footsteps. David said: “Cow-with-calf dairying has been our latest and, probably, our final step in a decades-long journey of growing awareness in the challenges facing humanity and how we, within our limited sphere of influence, might help find solutions.” “Cow-with-calf dairying has been our latest and, probably, our final step in a decades-long journey of growing awareness in the challenges facing humanity and how we, within our limited sphere of influence, might help find solutions.” The couple have spoken at several events, including several connected with COP26, and were co-recipients of an Outstanding Achievement award at Vibes, Scotland's Environment Business Awards in 2021. And they are continuing to spread their message. Part of that process is opening their business to the public and other farmers to learn how they do what they do. Wilma said that in the last twelve months, they have seen a lot more farmers visiting to decide how to convert their farms to a similar model. “For us,” she said, “it is vital that more farms convert to nature-based, high-welfare systems.” “Just like organic dairy farming forty years ago, a nucleus of farms operating a cow with calf system is needed, so that it is viable for a dedicated milk tanker to collect all the milk in order for it to be processed in a central factory to benefit from economies of scale and a much wider range of dairy products available,” she said. Driving a Permanent Shift Money, ethics, doing the right thing—all those factors play into a more ethical way of farming. But for the team at The Ethical Dairy, there is also the firm belief that a deeper and more fundamental shift must be undertaken to address several crises. “Tweaking existing systems isn’t going to be enough to tackle the crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human health,” said Wilma. “Our food systems are vital in producing the changes that we need—healthy food, healthy soils, and increasing biodiversity. Natural methods are much more likely to produce these triple benefits than technological solutions with their unintended consequences.” *Mark Smith is a journalist and author from the UK. He has written on subjects ranging from business and technology to world affairs, history, and popular culture for the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, and magazines in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Editor’s Note: David and Wilma Finlay’s book is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTDHN23C

Using Crops as Ground Cover Over the Winter Months Improves Agricultural Yield, Soil Health, and Helps the Environment By Ray Weil, PhD* The following article is an edited summary of Professor Ray Weil’s Poster Session remarks for the Twenty-Fifth International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences (ICUS XXV) in Seoul, Korea, February 12–14, 2019. His remarks were titled: “Cover Crops for Soil Health, Environmental Quality, and Farm Profitability.” Using cover crops—plants grown for the protection and enrichment of soil—in agriculture is nothing new, but the steady march of science is showing farmers new ways to use these crops to improve yields, profits, and the environment. The Soil Quality Lab at the University of Maryland (UMD) started conducting cover crop research in the 1980s. It has spent the last two decades studying how cover crops can improve soil health compared to the common practice of leaving soil bare (and vulnerable to runoff and loss of nutrients) during part of the year. One of the guiding principles of the lab’s research has been that cover crops can offer multiple benefits to the farmer, soil, and environment. In addition, the combination of several benefits allows cover crops to provide a positive return on investment. Different cover crop species provide different ecosystem services, so the choice and mixtures of species are critical. The following is a summary of highlights from two decades of research. Brassicas, Grasses, and Legumes The Soil Quality Lab at UMD pioneered Brassica cover crops (such as cabbage, radish, and mustard), documenting their ability to alleviate soil compaction as well as send roots rapidly down to the subsoil to capture nutrients before they leach away during the winter. These Brassica species, especially daikon radish, proved valuable in reducing fertilizer requirements by pumping the nutrients nitrogen (N), sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and boron up from deep soil layers and making them available in the surface soil. Cover crop species in the grass family (e.g., ryegrass, rye, wheat, oats, and barley) also proved to be valuable for capturing nutrients, protecting the soil from erosion, improving soil structure, and sequestering carbon. Species in the legume family are generally slower growing and less able to provide the above-mentioned benefits, but they have the distinct advantage of biological nitrogen fixation, which can add additional nitrogen to the cropping system. In temperate humid regions, this nitrogen addition occurs principally in spring before cash crops are planted. Multiple Species Create Synergies In addition to the performance of individual cover crop species, the soil lab examined interactions among species and found that there were many synergies that could be harnessed to improve cropping systems. For instance, it was discovered that mixing a small amount of a cereal with a legume improved biomass production and nitrogen fixation. Another example of synergy is that early planting of a mixture of radish, clover, and cereals produced excellent fall Brassica growth, weed suppression, and nutrient capture, while promoting the growth of the legume in the spring, thus maximizing the amount of nitrogen fixation. Timing is Key Much of the scientific literature on the effects of cover crops is based on single species, often with very low levels of cover crop productivity. Low cover crop performance is often due to poor timing of both planting and crop termination. This prevents the species from achieving its full potential. That is why, over the past several years, the lab’s research has focused on the timing part of cover crop management, both for planting in late summer/early fall and for termination in the spring. Low cover crop performance is often due to poor timing of both planting and crop termination. Maryland [where the lab is located] has a unique subsidy program to encourage farmers to grow cover crops. Its goal is to reduce the nitrogen that makes its way from farmland to the Chesapeake Bay estuary where dense plant growth kills marine animal life from lack of oxygen. The dense plant growth is caused by too much nitrogen in the water. Although adoption of cover cropping has been widespread in Maryland, cover crops could be much more effective if the rules required earlier planting and later termination. UMD’s soil lab research shows that nitrate leaching over the winter is not significantly reduced if the cover crop is planted too late for growth before winter dormancy sets in or death occurs. This discovery challenges farmers to adapt and plant cover crops much earlier than in the past. This may require using earlier-maturing cash crops or changing crop rotations to include winter small grains that allow cover crop planting in late July or early August. Inter-seeding and ‘Planting Green’ Other soil lab research involves inter-seeding (planting seeds where a crop already exists) with airplanes [and helicopters and drones] or machines that can drive over a standing cash crop of, say, corn or soybean, and seed the cover crop several weeks before the cash crop is harvested. The soil lab researchers have looked at what cover crop species and mixtures perform best under these inter-seeded conditions. Many cover crops are underperforming because they are killed too early in the spring. One problem with allowing cover crops to grow late into the spring is that cash crops must be planted early to achieve high yields. Typical agricultural practice is to kill the cover crop with herbicide about three weeks ahead of cash crop planting. An innovation that solves this problem is a practice called “planting green,” by which a no-till planter seeds the cash crop into a living green cover crop. In this way, biomass and carbon sequestration can be quadrupled by allowing cover crops to grow up to, or even a week or two beyond, the planting of the cash crop. [See video here: …] Although this idea seemed quite challenging because of the tall and heavy cover crop growth that would be present at planting time, the experience of farmers and the UMD Soil Quality Lab research group shows that the practice of “planting green” works very well in terms of both the mechanics of the no-till planter and the growth of the cash crop. High biomass, multi-species cover crops also provide habitat for beneficial insects and arachnids, as well as for a wide range of wildlife species. An added benefit of this late termination management is that many of the cover crop species will go to flower and provide pollinating insects with early spring food resources. This kind of high biomass, multispecies cover crop also provides habitat for beneficial insects and arachnids, as well as for a wide range of wildlife species. Why There’s a Cover Cropping Renaissance Although not a new concept, cover cropping is experiencing a renaissance, especially among conservation tillage farmers in North and South America. Annual cash crops keep the soil permeated with living roots and covered by foliage for only three or four months of the year. Cover crops give annual crop rotations many of the advantages of perennial vegetation, including carbon sequestration, weed suppression, and nutrient cycling. Adding cover crops to a crop rotation also changes everything about the soil-plant-water-atmosphere system. The heavy residue protects the soil from erosion, overheating, and evaporative water loss all summer. Cover crops can also be used as soil improvement tools. One major mechanism is called bio-drilling, by which cover crops with strong roots growing during the wet, cool time of the year penetrate compacted soil layers, leaving behind permanent root channels that later cash crop roots can follow when the soil is dry and hard. Thus, bio-drilling gives crops with weaker roots, such as soybean, access to the great water and nutrient stores in the deeper layers. Cover crops such as forage radish (FR), rapeseed, and rye roots have differing abilities to penetrate compacted layers into the subsoil. Corn crop roots permeate the compacted subsoil in proportion to the number of cover crop roots that had grown there during the previous winter. The effect can be extended to next year’s soybean crop as well. Cash crops stop taking up N from the soil a month or more before harvest maturity, and residual nitrate commonly leaches out of the soil between fall and spring in the humid, mid-Atlantic region. Over half of the remaining N was found to be 90–210 cm (35–82 in) deep, which is likely to be out of reach for next year’s summer crop. The residual mineral N comes from both fertilizer and soil organic matter and may be even greater following soybean than following corn, due to more mineralization. Research by the UMD soil lab and others shows that properly managed cover crops can clean up nearly all the soluble N from the soil profile in the fall. Ideally, the cover crop will cycle that N back to the surface soil so it becomes available for the following cash crop, thus reducing fertilizer requirements. However, grass cover crops tend to keep the N in unavailable forms because of microbial immobilization. In order to evaluate the ability of cover crops to capture N remaining deep in the soil profile before it leaches away over winter, UMD soil lab researchers buried stable isotopes (non-radioactive forms of atoms) in the soil to act as a nitrate tracer. They buried the tracer at various depths at the end of the cash crop N uptake season. Next, they planted various cover crops over the buried tracer on various dates. When planted in early September, both radish and rye cover crop roots could reach the nitrate tracer buried at 180 cm (70 in) deep. Cover crops planted a month later were able to reach only the 60 cm (23 in) deep tracer. If cover crops are planted early enough in the fall, they can greatly reduce the concentration of nitrate in the leaching water all winter. Research at many sites revealed that planting cover crops after the cash crop harvest is usually too late for effective reduction in wintertime N leaching. Cover crops planted by early October, common in Maryland, were not much more effective than no cover crop. The planting date also influences the type of cover crop vegetation produced. The species that dominates a mix of cover crops changes dramatically with just a few weeks’ difference in planting date in the fall. It is frustrating that many research papers simply state that a cover crop was used, but not the planting dates and biomass achieved. Extending cover crop growth in spring is just as important as planting early in the fall. Both the fall planting date and spring termination date affect the nature of the cover crop. In summary, research is advancing cover crops technology using multiple species, early planting, late termination, and no-till management to enhance ecosystem services while using fewer inputs, maintaining high profitability, and increasing yields of cash crops. This innovation is part of what is sometimes referred to as the “no-till cover crop revolution.” *Ray Weil, PhD, is Professor of Soils, Department of Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland, USA.

This Zesty Cold Soup Can Light Up Any Meal By Julie Peterson* Each year, harvest season brings loads of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables to market. One way to enjoy this short-lived summer pleasure is to add a healthy and delicious cold soup called gazpacho to the menu. Thought to have originated in Spain, zesty, raw, and vibrant gazpacho helps cleanse the body before moving into autumn and winter— the cucumbers, red bell peppers, and tomatoes used in the soup are filled with fiber. Since gazpacho doesn’t require cooking, the raw veggies also retain their nutrients for optimal human health. Besides, any opportunity to avoid cooking lessens the energy burden on the planet. It’s as simple as chopping, blending, chilling, and enjoying a refreshing and nourishing meal, and it’s enjoyed the world over using available produce and regional seasonings. Moreover, if the flavors and options aren’t intriguing enough, researchers at the University of Barcelona, Spain, found that “the consumption of gazpacho, a Mediterranean vegetable-based cold soup rich in phytochemicals, is associated with lower blood pressure and/or reduced prevalence of hypertension in individuals at high cardiovascular risk.” They surmised that the association between gazpacho intake and reduction of blood pressure is likely due to “synergy among several bioactive compounds present in the vegetable ingredients” of gazpacho. Anyone who has eaten gazpacho knows that making a quick and delicious gazpacho and then slurping it up provides the healthful benefit of joy. Get That Gazpacho Going The following super simple gazpacho recipe can get anyone started on the road to loving this revitalizing and wholesome soup. It’s easy to experiment with variations using the veggies on hand or that are found at a farmers' market. Imagine adding zucchini, pattypan squash, bell peppers, chives, tomatillos, or radishes to this recipe. Chopping, dicing, shredding, or pureeing provides a dish with different textures, colors, and flavors. Gazpacho Yield: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 1 15½-ounce can chopped tomatoes 1 cup (236 ml) tomato juice small cucumber, peeled (optional) and chopped ½ onion, finely chopped ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon vinegar ¼ to ½ teaspoon hot sauce (optional) ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper Directions Mix the chopped tomatoes, tomato juice, cucumbers, onions, garlic, vinegar, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Cover and chill one to two hours before serving. Source: Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center, U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. Fresh and Organic for Nutrient Density For optimal health benefits, the ingredients should be fresh and organic, although subbing in canned tomatoes or dried herbs is fine as well. Follow these basic proportions for four servings and experiment from there. Proportionate Gazpacho Ingredients 3 tomatoes or 1 avocado (or maybe both) 2 or 3 cucumbers 1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper 1 serrano or spicier pepper (optional) ½ to 1 red, yellow, or white onion 2 to 4 cloves garlic ½ to ¾ cup fresh herbs (basil, parsley, dill, mint) ¼ cup oil ¼ cup vinegar 1 to 2 Tbsp lemon juice (about 1 lemon) Salt and pepper to taste Instructions (version one) Rough chop or dice everything. Toss in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Instructions (version two) Rough chop everything. Toss in a blender. Pour in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Variations Gazpacho can be thrown together in less than ten minutes using what is at hand, making the varieties virtually endless. Here are some common variations on the gazpacho theme. Smoothie: Pulse the ingredients together in a blender and then strain out the seeds and skins. This provides a smooth consistency that can be served in a glass as a refreshing drink (get fancy with a salted rim, a stick of celery, or a mini umbrella stuck into an olive). It can also be served in a bowl with a crusty piece of buttered bread for dunking (another piece of bread will probably be needed to soak up all the goodness). The smoothie gazpacho is great for kids who may tend to avoid certain veggies. Toppings are a fun addition to any gazpacho recipe for flavor and presentation. Examples include shredded cheese, croutons, nuts, seeds, chopped prosciutto, sardines, oysters, shrimp, hard boiled eggs, herbs, toasted edamame, fresh berries, or edible flowers. Vinegar gives gazpacho tanginess. Switch it up with red or white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. There are all sorts of raw organic vinegars available (pomegranate, grape, etc.) that can be used in gazpacho recipes to add extra taste, enzymes, and sparkle to the finished product. Lemon or lime juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar and will give gazpacho a sour zest and pick-me-up. Oil: Most traditional gazpacho recipes call for ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil and/or a drizzle of oil on top before serving. Oil gives the soup flavor and texture. Try substituting avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or make an herb oil by infusing basil, cilantro, or oregano in a mild salad oil. Green gazpacho might become a favorite. Simply omit the tomato and use avocado. It’s easy being green with cucumbers, green chiles, parsley, dill, mint (any favorite herbs will do). Add the proportionate amounts of onion, garlic, vinegar, or juice. This version is particularly “cool” to look at when blended. Bitterness: If gazpacho is too bitter, stir in a spoonful of honey or sugar to balance it out. Salt can also balance bitterness. Creamed soups are popular in winter, and cold gazpacho can also be creamy. Add ¼ to ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt to the chopped or blended variety for another level of tanginess and a beneficial dose of probiotics. Fruit? Yes, fruit! Try an incredibly simple gazpacho with cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumber, oil, basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend it up and keep guests guessing on who came up with the amazing flavor blend. Or, get fancy with this Blueberry Gazpacho recipe designed by sous chef Josh Riach from Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont. Farmers Market Gazpacho Garlic, cumin, and lemon juice give a zesty flavor to this cold, blended vegetable soup. Cilantro added at the end leaves a refreshing pop of flavor. Makes 4 servings. Ingredients 2 cucumbers (diced into ¼ inch pieces) 3 red bell peppers (seeded and diced into ¼ inch pieces) 3 green peppers (seeded and diced into ¼ inch pieces) 4 celery stalks (diced into ¼ inch pieces) 2 tomatoes (diced into ¼ inch pieces) 1 onion (medium, diced into ¼ inch pieces) 2 lemons 2 cups (473 ml) tomato juice, low-sodium 3 garlic cloves (fresh minced) 1 tablespoon cumin (ground) 1 cup (236 ml) cilantro (fresh chopped) salt and pepper (to taste, optional) Directions Combine all ingredients except salt, pepper, and lemons in a bowl. Remove 2 cups (473 ml) of the mixture and reserve. Using a blender or food processor, puree the remaining mixture in the bowl. Add 2 cups (473 ml) of reserved mixture to the pureed mixture. Season with salt, pepper (optional) and the juice from the lemons. Cover mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve cold, garnished with chopped cilantro. For nutrition information, please visit Farmers Market Gazpacho at USDA’s MyPlate Kitchen. *Julie Peterson is a freelance journalist based in the Midwest region of the US who has written hundreds of articles on natural approaches to health, environmental issues, and sustainable living. Sources: https://nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/# https://nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/world-peas-food-hub/world-peas-csa/produce-recipes/tomato-melon-gazpacho https://nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/world-peas-food-hub/world-peas-csa/produce-recipes/tomato-tomatillo-and-avocado-gazpacho https://nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu/world-peas-food-hub/world-peas-csa/produce-recipes/beet-tomato-gazpacho

Health Concerns Grow Over Tiny Particles Being Added to Food By Mark Smith* Deep inside food and food packaging is a microscopic universe where tiny nanoparticles reside. These nanoparticles are intended to help keep food fresh or improve its taste or its color. But could these additives also be causing harm to human health? The prefix “nano-” means one billionth when used as a unit of measure, but can also just mean small —very, very small. A nanoparticle measures anywhere between 1 nanometer (nm) and 100nm. For the sake of comparison, a piece of paper is 100,000nm thick. Nanomaterials have been widely used in industries ranging from medicine to engineering, but they are increasingly being applied in food processing and packaging too. Some nanoparticles are used to prevent the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide, or moisture, and thereby extend shelf life and inhibit the spread of bacteria in foods. The benefit to the consumer is healthier, safer, and higher quality foods. But as with any relatively new technology, the full health impacts are still uncertain. And that’s got some people worried. What Types of Nanoparticles Are There? Nanoparticles can be divided into two categories: organic nanoparticles, which are composed primarily of carbon-containing molecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, and inorganic nanoparticles consisting primarily of molecules that do not contain carbon, such as silver, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. In some foods, nanoparticles are naturally occurring. For instance, milk contains casein micelles, nano-sized spherical structures that automatically assemble from casein proteins. The structure and chemical properties of the micelles enable casein proteins to dissolve in milk, and facilitates absorption into the human gut. [N]anoparticles may be added to foods to enhance certain properties such as flavor, shelf life, and color. For example, a common nanoparticle called titanium dioxide—which is found in sunscreens, plastics, and paint—is used to brighten foods like sauces and cheeses. In other cases, nanoparticles may be added to foods to enhance certain properties such as flavor, shelf life, and color. For example, a common nanoparticle called titanium dioxide—which is found in sunscreens, plastics, and paint—is used to brighten foods like sauces and cheeses. Are Health Concerns Justified? The health impacts of nanoparticles on the body— particularly the digestive tract—are still largely unknown. Some studies on animals in which abnormally high quantities of nanoparticles were used, have shown they can get into the bloodstream and accumulate in the body. These studies showed inflammation and adverse impacts on liver, kidney, and brain following high dosages of silver nanoparticles, as well as damage to the hearts of young rats by high dosage of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. But studies into health impacts of nanoparticle consumption have shown different results due to the wide range of variables involved such as composition, structure, size, dose and what they are consumed with. One review article by the University of Massachusetts noted that, “nanoparticles are already present in many natural and processed foods, and that new kinds of nanoparticles may be utilized as functional ingredients by the food industry in the future. Many of these nanoparticles are unlikely to have adverse effects on human health, but there is evidence that some of them could have harmful effects and that future studies are required.” And an earlier study carried out at Dong-A University in South Korea found “no significant accumulation” by rats which had ingested them, suggesting that most of it was eliminated through feces. Studying The Latest Science But the need for further investigation has prompted new studies to be carried out. Dr. Helen Onyeaka, an industrial microbiologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK, led one such study. Her team has been looking into the safety of nanomaterials in food production and packaging, and one of the things which piqued their interest was the sheer amount of inquiries being generated into its safety by the public, regulatory bodies, and scientific community. They conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature on nanotechnology in food packaging, while also examining research papers and reports to gain a wide-ranging picture. Dr. Onyeaka said in an interview with The Earth & I: “We discovered that nanomaterials can improve food packaging, providing benefits like enhanced barrier properties and long shelf life. “However, we discovered nanoparticles can migrate from packing into food, which is a concern that raises the question about their safety.” The team also discovered that the size of the nanoparticles influenced their behavior, with smaller ones having a higher likelihood of migrating into food. However, overall, the transfer of nanomaterials into food was limited. She added: “Given the unique properties of nanoparticles, it wasn’t surprising that they could migrate into food, but the extent of migration and potential health impacts are areas that need further study.” Is There a Need For Regulation? Fortunately, studies have yet to show widespread or serious health impacts from nanoparticles that are commonly used in food and packaging. And with studies still being carried out into possible health impacts, regulation of nanomaterials in food is rarely mandated. Yet some countries have taken precautionary measures. With studies still being carried out into possible health impacts, regulation of nanomaterials in food is rarely mandated. > In France, reporting of substances with nanoparticles has been mandatory since 2013 and requires manufacturers, importers, and distributors of more than 100 grams of nanoparticle substances per year to declare the identity of the substances, the quantities handled, and the intended uses. In 2020 France banned the use of one nanoparticle—titanium dioxide—with the European Union following suit last year. The UK, however, did not follow the EU in banning titanium dioxide, with its Food Standards Agency stating that it was not able to identify any safety concerns after reviewing the data. The EU also issues guidance to industry regarding the use of nanomaterials, with the introduction of a nanomaterial definition, which will be the same for chemicals, novel food, cosmetics, biocides and medical devices. Further Research and Funding Dr. Onyeaka believes many people are worried about the possible effects of nanoparticles, but that there are also those who think that they can be used safely as long as proper regulation is in place. She said additional research can help resolve such concerns. “While there is growing awareness of the potential benefits of nanotechnology in food applications, there is also concern about the safety and regulatory aspects” she said. “The level of understanding is still evolving, and ongoing research is essential to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits.” She added that assessing these long-term effects requires continuous observation to detect potential health impacts that may not be immediately apparent but could surface over extended periods. “Nanotechnology is constantly evolving, introducing new types of nanomaterials and applications that necessitate ongoing safety assessments to keep up with these developments.” She said: “Nanotechnology is constantly evolving, introducing new types of nanomaterials and applications that necessitate ongoing safety assessments to keep up with these developments. “Reaching a scientific consensus on the safety of nanomaterials in food is a gradual process that demands more studies and data to form a comprehensive understanding.” She added that funding was also a crucial factor, but that it was also essential to coordinate efforts among researchers, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders to address pressing questions effectively. Food for thought With pressures on global food prices and supplies, the use of technology to preserve food shelf life has potentially huge benefits. But as with any nascent technology, the science may advance faster than the understanding of the long-term consequences. So, as recommended by Dr. Onyeaka, continued investigation in nanoparticles may be needed to protect the health of consumers. *Mark Smith is a journalist and author from the UK. He has written on subjects ranging from business and technology to world affairs, history, and popular culture for the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, and magazines in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. For the Earth & I, Mark Smith spoke with Dr. Helen Onyeaka.

Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe* Pivoting from “harmful” to “healthy,” the public health rhetoric on sunlight and its healing properties has transformed in recent years, largely due to the benefits of vitamin D exposure. For more than a century, public health messages focused on the adverse effects of sunlight on our health. Overexposure to sunlight is linked to negative consequences, such as skin-damaging sunburns, raising the risks for skin cancer, and even cataracts. However, the public health narrative has now evolved due to the availability of new sunscreens, supplements, and light therapies, not to mention scientific findings highlighting the multiple health benefits associated with sunlight. Sunlight has been linked to boosting serotonin, helping improve mental health, building strong bones, contributing to cancer prevention, and healing skin conditions. Studies also indicate preliminary evidence for sunlight as a potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and thyroiditis. Harm from the sun remains a crucial consideration, however. People can protect their skin from too much sun by applying sunscreen with at least a sun protective factor (SPF) 50, avoiding direct sunlight and subsequent sunburn, and wearing sun-protective clothing and UVR-filtered sunglasses. Risks of Too Little Sun A 2020 research study suggests that “insufficient sun exposure is a significant public health problem” and cited previous research linking it to an estimated 340,000 deaths in the US and 480,000 in Europe per year. Further, a lack of exposure to sunlight may increase the prevalence of various conditions, including breast and colorectal cancers, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and asthma. A 2020 research study suggests that “insufficient sun exposure is a significant public health problem.” Exposure to the sun’s rays causes the skin to produce vitamin D, which has long been considered the primary benefit of sunlight. The sun’s rays contain ultraviolet-B radiation, which makes the vitamin. “Vitamin D plays a critical role in immune function,” Dr. Michael Holick, professor of pharmacology, physiology, biophysics and molecular medicine, and director of the Ehlers-Danlos Clinical Research Programme at Boston University School of Medicine, told The Earth & I. Calls to rethink sun exposure policy or to promote vitamin D supplementation in higher-risk populations were prominent fifteen years ago, with one particular study highlighting this need. However, since then, results indicate that while likely to be more beneficial than not, researchers have not convincingly shown that vitamin D oral supplementation helps to prevent these conditions. In a 2022 webinar, Dr. Roger Seheult, an associate professor at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine, spoke on several topics, such as sunlight's positive role on cell health by interacting with melatonin, humans’ widespread deficiency in sunlight exposure, and its overall health impact. Sunlight and the Covid-19 Pandemic In February 2022, Dr. Holick published an editorial paper in the journal Nutrients on the prominence of vitamin D deficiency in the COVID-19 era. The paper, entitled The CO-VID D-Lemma: A Call for Action, cited previous research suggesting that people with ample amounts of vitamin D had lower risks for respiratory infections and clinical complications, such as those connected to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced sunlight exposure due to widespread stay-at-home policies, resulting in difficulty in “active and healthy aging,” 2021 research found. The review study also found that phototherapy with full-spectrum light is a potential alternative to sunlight exposure. The researchers recommended future studies focus on screening optimal phototherapy conditions, such as light strength, effective wavelength, and exposure duration. Through previous findings, researchers knew that activated macrophages produce 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, which interacts with both T and B lymphocyte cells. These cells are responsible for making antibodies and cytokines. Scientists also know that during COVID-19, one of the significant complications of infection was the cytokine storm. “So, vitamin D, playing a critical role in both adaptive and innate immunity, would reduce the risk of developing infection, morbidity and mortality,” Dr. Holick adds. During COVID-19, one of the significant complications of infection was the cytokine storm. “So, vitamin D, playing a critical role in both adaptive and innate immunity, would reduce the risk of developing infection, morbidity and mortality.” Researchers conducted various studies to prove this. The first published study Dr. Holick undertook evaluated 191,000 COVID-19-positive patients throughout the US for their vitamin D status. They found that patients with a circulating concentration of 25 hydroxy vitamin D of at least 34 nanograms per ml had a 54% reduced risk of COVID infection. Another study showed that if COVID-19 patients went into a hospital with adequate vitamin D status, they had less risk for complications or death. Mirroring the recommendation over a century ago during the Spanish flu pandemic, researchers advised sensible sun exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic and a healthy vitamin D status with dietary and supplemental vitamin D. Today, as the world population edges away from the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin D sufficiency is no less critical, as it offers multiple health benefits that are difficult to replicate artificially. Is Vitamin D All About the Sun? “Herein lies the problem,” Dr. Holick responds when asked if vitamin D is solely associated with sunlight or if other factors are present. “It’s well-recognized that vitamin D deficiency is probably the most common medical condition worldwide—at least a billion people in the world are vitamin deficient,” Dr. Holick adds. The reason is simple, however. Research indicates that people living in Calgary, Canada, or the UK, or at similar northern latitudes cannot make any vitamin D in their skin for six months, from approximately October until mid-April. People naturally turn to other vitamin D sources, though these are limited as there are very few dietary sources. “Oily fish, and mushrooms exposed to sunlight, and cod liver oil are your only dietary sources of vitamin D,” says Dr. Holick. Wild-caught salmon contains 500 to 1,000 units in a serving, while farmed salmon has only about 10% to 20% of that amount. In addition, the public has been taught to avoid the sun by going outside only in early mornings and late afternoons. That kind of schedule largely defeats the idea of getting vitamin D. “It turns out you make none” at those times, says Dr. Holick, adding that people only make vitamin D from about 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., regardless of whether one lives at the equator, in Panama, or in Boston. Circadian Rhythms and the Sun Circadian rhythm refers to human physical, mental, and behavioral changes in a 24-hour cycle. Astronauts’ cycles increase by over an hour because they no longer have the typical circadian rhythms humans are born with. Alertness in the morning is due to the adrenal corticotropin hormone from the pituitary gland, which wakes people up. It sends a signal to the adrenal glands to make cortisol so that cortisol levels at 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. are high and robust to help people wake up. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) [See The Earth & I, Dec 2022], thought to impact approximately 10 million Americans, comes from the body’s inability to recognize winter sunlight, Dr. Holick says. “There has been an evolution in our thinking about sun exposure,” says Dr. Holick. After recognizing that the time of day, season, and latitude create skin pigmentation, all of which influence the ability to make vitamin D, Dr. Holick developed an app called dminder. The app is designed to tell the user when they can begin making vitamin D and how much is made, and it warns them to get out of the sun so they do not get sunburned. The app cannot customize the results based on each person’s condition; however, it does consider health factors that can affect vitamin D, such as skin type, obesity, or a granuloma disorder. Bright Light Therapy: A Solution for Autumn and Winter? Without access to sunlight and with the prominence of SAD, vitamin D sources are limited, prompting potential deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation is advised throughout the year to support sufficiency. “I recommend that everyone take the supplement every day, spring, summer, fall, and winter, because your blood level excursion [fluctuation] of vitamin D is very little,” says Dr. Holick. Without access to sunlight …, vitamin D sources are limited, prompting potential deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation is advised throughout the year to support sufficiency. Artificial sources can also provide a solution, particularly in autumn and winter. “Bright light therapy is the most effective way of helping people with seasonal affective disorder,” says Dr. Holick. The recommendation is to use at least a lamp with 10,000 LuxS. Turning the indirect light on in the morning while preparing breakfast or reading a newspaper helps suppress melatonin. Technology developers are creating artificial sources of red light designed to provide some of the beneficial infrared wavelengths of the sun’s light without going outside. Companies such as Mito Red Light produce light therapy products to help people access artificial sunlight. Presenting their “tentative evidence,” researchers in a 2020 study on sunlight and health showed that red and near-infrared light, both present in sunlight, could explain the associations between sunlight exposure and better health status. *Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe is a freelance journalist and editor. Over the past 10 years, Natasha has reported for a host of publications, exploring the wider world and industries from environmental, scientific, business, legal, and sociological perspectives. Natasha has also been interviewed as an insight provider for research institutes and conferences. Source: Interview with Dr. Michael Holick, Professor of pharmacology, physiology, biophysics and molecular medicine, and director of the Ehlers-Danlos Clinical Research Program at Boston University School of Medicine.

Africa Food Systems Forum (AGRF) released its 2023 status report in September, “Empowering Africa Food Systems for the Future.” It provides “a comprehensive outlook into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead” for creating sustainable food systems on the continent. The report cites youth empowerment and advances in technology and infrastructure as key components in overcoming significant challenges to the continent’s food security. According to the AGRF report, “Africa is at a critical juncture” in providing food security for its people with its youth population projected to reach 200 million by 2030. More than 20% percent of Africa’s population (about 257 million people) is undernourished (FAO, 2022). More than 20 million people and at least 10 million children “faced severe food shortages in Africa due to crop failure and four consecutive dry seasons” (UNICEF, 2022) The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) predicts annual food imports will increase from $15 billion in 2018 to $110 billion by 2025. Fertilizer prices have increased by about 78% compared with the average prices in 2021 (Hebebrand & Glauber, 2023). According to the AGRF report, “Poor infrastructure shaves up to 2% off Africa’s average per capita growth rates.” By adopting “appropriate technology, it is estimated that an additional 96 million hectares in sub-Saharan Africa can be irrigated by smallholders.” This could benefit nearly 369 million people. The report blames “dominance of starchy staples, alongside lower animal-sourced foods and fruits and vegetable supply” for deficiencies in the continent’s consumption of micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, zinc, folate, B vitamins, and calcium). Source: https://agra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AASR-2023.pdf