Author Archive

Seed Proteins May Help Plants Weather Drought

Inter Press Service: British researchers are working on techniques to improve seeds chances of surviving drought by tapping the potential of little-known proteins that regulate water intake. Lorenzo Frigerio and other plant scientists at the University of Warwick are researching seeds that would use water more sparingly and in turn boost crop defences against climate change in fast- growing developing nations that are the most vulnerable to freshwater shortages and food insecurity. Asia’s thirst for water will...

Brewers Pledge to Cut Water Use

Inter Press Service: Beer manufacturers sell nearly 548 million litres of brew each day, but with every bottle, they are using many times that amount of water on a planet facing mounting resource challenges. Mindful of the impact on fragile freshwater sources in an industry heavily dependent on water, brewers are pledging significant cuts in freshwater use as the demand for their products grows. They are also forging alliances with conservation groups and international organisations to urge other industries to follow...