"This Executive Summary focuses on the 2011 biotech crop highlights, which are presented and discussed in detail in ISAAA Brief 43, Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2011.
Biotech crops, fastest adopted crop technology ...
Biotech crops reached 160 million hectares (395 368 000 acres), up 12 million hectares on 8% growth, from 2010, as the global population reached a historical milestone of 7 billion on 31 October 2011
2011 was the 16th year of commercialization of biotech crops, 1996-2011, when growth continued after a remarkable 15 consecutive years of increases; a double-digit increase of 12 million hectares, at a growth rate of 8%, reaching a record 160 million hectares.
A 94-fold increase in hectarage from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 160 million hectares in 2011 makes biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in the history of modern agriculture.
Millions of farmers globally elect to adopt biotech crops due to the benefits they offer."
"The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) is a non-profit, industry and government funded international organization that promotes the use of agricultural biotechnology, with a special focus on resource-poor farmers in developing countries. The ISAAA facilitates the transfer and delivery of proprietary biotechnology products by involving partner organisations from public and private sectors in the research and development continuum. Aside from technology transfer, ISAAA is also involved in biotechnology-focused knowledge sharing and capacity building, and produces annual reports on the use and benefits of biotech crops.
The ISAAA receives funding from both public and private donors. Some of the ISAAA's funding agencies include the USDA, US Grains Council, Monsanto, Bayer, two banks - Fondazione Bussolera in Italy and Ibercaja in Spain, USAID and the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"A new blue phalaenopsis orchid called "Blue Mystique" is sold by Bachman's florists in Minneapolis. The color is achieved using a patented process from Europe that colors the flowers from the inside."
"We share our world with many other species and live in an ever-changing environment. Fortunately, photographers around the world have captured the moments and beauty that allow us to see amazing views of this awe-inspiring planet. This is a collection of favorite photos from The Natural World gallery in 2011, a showcase of images of animals and environment that runs on Boston.com throughout the year."
A laborer rests on piles of plastic bottles at a recycling center in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, China
by - Alan Taylor - In Focus - The Atlantic
"November 15 is America Recycles Day, an annual event launched in 1997 by the National Recycling Coalition. The need to reuse and recycle raw materials has never been as urgent as it is today. The human race has reached a worldwide population of 7 billion, and America is responsible for consuming a disproportionate share of the planet's resources. In many parts of the world, recycling is done by necessity. In others, artists, governments, and businesses have found creative and useful ways to reuse materials -- a plastic bottle may find itself reborn as artwork, a warm blanket, or fuel oil. Collected here are photographs of various recycling efforts around the world, ranging from small and whimsical to industrial in scale. [33 photos]"
The Last Breakfast” by Brian Stuckey
"Salivating. That’s the only way to describe me after looking at all this food porn. I love to eat breakfast, it’s the best meal of the day as far as I’m concerned. Pancakes, cereal, brunch, eggs, healthy breakfasts, greasy breakfasts, I’m not fussy. My only trouble is what to choose…"
