Washington, DC - The food system depends on a healthy environment; but agriculture is also responsible for environmental degradation. Beekeepers continue to lose 30 percent of honeybee colonies during an average winter likely because of pesticides and other agrochemicals. Soil degradation is occurring at staggering rates with soils being depleted 10 to 40 times faster than they are being replenished. And up to 100,000 plant varieties are currently endangered worldwide.

Durham, North Carolina - If ever you've felt frustrated that your reward for getting things done was more work to do, new research shows that uneasy feeling could be spot on.

Washington, DC - Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta S. Jacobson hosted the delegation from the Cuban government led by Josefina Vidal, Director General of the U.S. Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the fourth round of talks to re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open embassies.

Sacramento, California - California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with international leaders from 11 other states and provinces, collectively representing more than $4.5 trillion in GDP and 100 million people, to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius – the warming threshold at which scientists say there will likely be catastrophic climate disruptions.

Imperial, California - One of my sons recently came home from a twelve month military deployment. My wife and I took a couple of days and flew to welcome him at his stateside arrival airport. We watched soldier after soldier pick up his or her duffel bags and other luggage in baggage claims. We didn't see families or friends hugging them and welcoming them home. My son turned the corner and came into the area and I was so delighted to see him.

Milan, Italy - May 22 is the International Day of Biodiversity an opportunity to increase understanding and awareness of the Earth’s flora and fauna. This year’s theme is biodiversity for sustainable development.