Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Rainfall and fertilizer runoff are linked. This county shows how.
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Runoff can lead to poisoned drinking water and toxic algae blooms.
Climate Change
Fertilizer washes off Midwest farm fields and taints communities’ drinking water, poisons Gulf of Mexico
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As rainfall events become more intense and frequent, fertilizers applied to Midwestern farmland wash away, contaminating waterways near and far.
Climate Change
‘Temperatures continue to rise and farmworkers continue to be at risk’
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At least 65 farmworkers have died from heat-related causes since 2002, according to an Investigate Midwest analysis of OSHA data. The Biden administration has promised to address the dangers of extreme heat in workplaces.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: With about three months remaining, 2021 has already seen the second-most billion-dollar weather disasters
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Since 1980, the frequency and intensity of the events have been steadily increasing.
Agribusiness
Among Big Ag facilities, ADM’s Decatur plant emits most carbon dioxide, EPA data shows
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Among agricultural facilities with emissions tracked by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, this ADM plant has emitted the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — by far — over the past decade, according to an Investigate Midwest analysis of agency data.
Climate Change and Agribusiness
Once climate change deniers, the agriculture industry positions itself as part of the solution
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Recently, a coalition of Big Ag companies and groups formed the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance, which has the stated aim to help address a warming planet.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Fines for environmental violations dropped during Trump administration
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Fines have ebbed and flowed over the years, but there was a drop off in the past four years.