Health & Nutrition posts, articles, and infographics

Taming the sound of the city: dealing with noise pollution

May 16, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 88 views

About two decades ago, my friend Bob – a mover and shaker of sorts in the art world – took me to an artist’s studio in a (then, at least) scruffy area of lower Manhattan. The artist we were meeting, whose name I have long since forgotten, worked in the medium of environmental sound. His studio was full of wires,... [read more]

Urban Agriculture Isn’t New

May 10, 2012 by The Dirt ASLA
with 244 views

In fact, it’s been around since 3,500 BC when Mesopotamian farmers began setting aside plots in their growing cities. In a review of urban agriculture throughout modern history at a symposium at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., a diverse set of academics and designers ranging from historians to landscape... [read more]

Food for thought from Tyler Cowen

May 7, 2012 by Marc Gunther
with 44 views

This month, just for fun, I’m doing to devote most of my writing to food and sustainability. My plan is to write about organic vs. conventional yields, a controversy around Fair Trade, the giant candy company Mars, clean cooking fuels in Mozambique and the goings-on at a pair of upcoming events where I’ll be moderating: the 2012... [read more]

Visualizing the 'Edible City' in Three Minutes

May 5, 2012 by Kaid Benfield
with 329 views

The American Society of Landscape Architects has produced another great video, this one about growing food in cities. I'm a big fan of ASLA's work, in part because of their terrific skill at public and professional communications.This particular project, which according to ASLA was created with assistance from landscape... [read more]

D.C. Offers a Bold Vision for a More Sustainable Future

May 4, 2012 by The Dirt ASLA
with 269 views

At a historic church in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray said there are either two future directions for the city: “The gaps between us could further divide our city,” or the city could become “greener, more equitable, and more prosperous” for all. Outlining a bold vision for a Sustainable D.C.,... [read more]

The New Era of Urban Agriculture

May 3, 2012 by The Dirt ASLA
with 355 views

Carrot City: Creating Places for Urban Agriculture, written by Ryerson University professors Mark Gorgolewski, June Komisar, and Joe Nasr explores the new era of urban agriculture. A flux of design proposals has emerged over the last few years that respond to the increasing interest in food security and... [read more]

Consumers Are Getting Closer to Food Traceability

April 24, 2012 by Derek Singleton
with 242 views

The topic of food safety hits the national airways every time there’s a major product recall or an unsafe practice is revealed. Recently, it’s “pink slime” that’s the hot food subject right now. Every time these stories hit the national media, I’m reminded of something: consumers don’t know enough about where their food comes from and how it’s made. [read more]

Five Apps for a Healthy and Sustainable Urban Lifestyle

April 20, 2012 by This Big City
with 595 views

Our health is closely linked to the wellbeing of the natural resources we draw on day-to-day: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat… It’s no big surprise, then, that lifestyle choices that are good for the environment are often good for our health, too. Commuting by bike or on foot will cut carbon, local air pollution... [read more]

They said it at Brainstorm Green

April 19, 2012 by Marc Gunther
with 98 views

Here are some highlights of FORTUNE’s Brainstorm Green conference, which wrapped up yesterday. I’m co-chair of the event, which brought about 300 corporate leaders, environmentalists, investors and academics to Laguna Niguel, CA, for three whirlwind days of talk about how business can help solve the world’s big environmental problems:... [read more]

Food Trucks Bring New Patrons to City Parks

April 18, 2012 by City Parks Blog
with 492 views

Visitors line up for food truck fare at the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally.Credit: Elissa H. IzmailyanThe second season of the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally launched this Sunday in balmy spring weather. On the third Sunday of each month from April through October, sixteen gourmet food trucks will greet crowds of eager... [read more]

Creating Healthier Classrooms Through Practical Solutions

April 17, 2012 by Rachel Gutter
with 50 views

It goes without saying, every parent wants their child to be healthy and safe. And teachers too, always have the best interest of our kids at heart. But sometimes what we don’t know can hurt us.My little sister is a teacher, and in one of her first positions, she was the aid in a kindergarten class. She called me one day to complain... [read more]

How your zip-code is as important as your genetic-code for childhood obesity

April 11, 2012 by Adam Davies
with 470 views

The western world is getting fatter. It’s hard to ignore the spiralling rates of obesity in developed countries such as the UK and US, where more than one in four of us is now clinically obese. But perhaps even more alarming is the speed at which our children are becoming dangerously fat. More than one-third of children... [read more]