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As the Salton Sea Shrinks, Agriculture’s Legacy Turns to Dust

Civil Eats

López’s family moved to Salton City from Arizona in 2018 when her then-husband got a job working in greenhouses in the Imperial Valley, south of the sea. Agricultural runoff from both valleys is the primary input into the Salton Sea, and with that runoff comes pesticides and nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. In 2002, U.S.

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Are Next-Gen Synthetic Fibers the Future of Sustainable Textiles?

Modern Farmer

Fashion contributes around 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to big oil. In addition, most natural fibers are grown conventionally, which often means heavy use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and genetically modified or treated seeds. Another big factor is end of life. Enter next-gen synthetics.

Textiles 101
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Can Agriculture Kick Its Plastic Addiction?

Civil Eats

Black polyethylene “mulch film” gets tucked snugly around crop rows, clear plastic sheeting covers hoop houses, and most farmers use plastic seed trays, irrigation tubes, and fertilizer bags. These synthetic polymer products have often been used to help boost yields up to 60 percent and make water and pesticide use more efficient.