Bees are essential in producing one out of every three bites of food we eat. In fact, 71 of the 100 crops that provide 90 percent of the world’s food—from almonds to tomatoes and strawberries—are pollinated by bees and honeybees, contribute nearly $20 billion to the U.S. economy and $217 billion to the global economy.
In the absence of regulations to protect human health and the environment, and labeling to ensure consumer right-to-know, synthetic biology is about to enter the market via new ingredients for food, cosmetics and household products, many of which are being marketed as “natural” and “sustainable.”
Natural vanillin comes from the vanilla orchid. Synthetic biology vanillin is distinct from the artificial vanillin already on the market, although both are engineered in labs.
Assessing the implementation of China's Green Credit Guidelines overseas
Two-thirds of the food crops humans eat every day require bees and other pollinators to successfully produce a crop. However, the health and productivity of honey bees, bumble bees, and other pollinators are in great peril, and populations are dwindling worldwide.
Letter to the GCF Board from 133 developing country organizations, with the endorsement of 65 developed country organizations, expressing a unified call for the adoption of the most robust environmental and social protections possible.