/>
The USDA is likely to rule that the term 'organic' will not include food not grown in soil.
Dana Hoff/Getty Images
READ MORE ABOUT:
Welcome to the Planet 100 for January 26, 2010. Here's what we're covering today:
Dirt on Organic
Food not grown in soil—even without the use of pesticides, herbicides or hormones—cannot be called organic, that's the likely recommendation of the USDA's National Organic Standards Board due this March.
Proponents of innovative growing systems like aquaponics argue that research has proven vegetables grown in gravel or coconut husks are as safe and nutritious as soil grown ones. So while leaders from the aquaponics, hydroponics and greenhouse gas industries will make their case, it appears the U.S. will follow Europe's lead on banning non soil-grown plants from bearing the organics label.
Via: Daily GreenDig
Apple Power
Apple must be enjoying the rumor mill right now. This week the mysterious iSlate is set to be unveiled and three new patents indicate the gadget giant is going green.
Earlier in the month, Apple applied for two patents that enable smart charging of devices in order to reduce energy consumption and extend battery life and last week they applied for a patent on solar casings that could charge devices like iPods even while in use.
Via: MNN
Monkey Grammar
And finally, researchers at St. Andrews University who've been studying the linguistic patterns of Campbell's monkeys, have made a startling discovery—that their intricate calls used to pass on information about predators can be understood by other species of monkey and even birds.
Via: Times Online
Photo Credits:
Hydroponics ( tomatoes) - VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images
Hydroponics (strawberries) - Stockxpert/Jupiter Images
Hydroponics (coconut) - Dana Hoff/Getty Images
iPhone - Courtesy of Apple
Mona Monkey - Credit Stockxpert/Jupiter Images
