Steven Disla - Author - Center for Nutrition Studies https://nutritionstudies.org/author/sdisla/ Food. Science. Health. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:23:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Tipping Points and Food https://nutritionstudies.org/tipping-points-and-food/ Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:58:36 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=56611 In recent years, the phrase environmental tipping points has moved from scientific journals into public conversation. It now appears in climate reports, headlines, and policy debates, most recently and comprehensively in The Global Tipping Points Report for 2025.[1] Yet tipping points are not abstract metaphors or tools of alarm. They describe real, measurable processes within … Continued

The post Tipping Points and Food appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> The Silent Collapse Beneath the Waves: What Coral Reefs Reveal About a Planet Under Pressure https://nutritionstudies.org/the-silent-collapse-beneath-the-waves-what-coral-reefs-reveal-about-a-planet-under-pressure/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:23:41 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=56569 Scientists are increasingly warning that the world’s warm-water coral reefs have now crossed a global tipping point. This conclusion was recently brought into public focus by the Global Tipping Points report released in October 2025.[1] This report represents the culmination of decades of monitoring, thermal-stress modelling, and ecological observation. It shows that the combined pressures … Continued

The post The Silent Collapse Beneath the Waves: What Coral Reefs Reveal About a Planet Under Pressure appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> The Quiet Acceleration Toward a Plant-Powered Planet https://nutritionstudies.org/the-quiet-acceleration-toward-a-plant-powered-planet/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:16:12 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=56562 Social change often feels glacial, incremental, fragile, and at risk of slipping backward. History shows that transformation rarely moves in a straight line. Instead, it unfolds in waves, from slow adoption to steady accumulation, and then, suddenly, acceleration. Small shifts compound until they push entire systems past a tipping point. Today, as we confront converging … Continued

The post The Quiet Acceleration Toward a Plant-Powered Planet appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> From The Jungle to Ag-Gag: How the Meat Industry Still Fears the Truth https://nutritionstudies.org/from-the-jungle-to-ag-gag/ Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:09:01 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=56026 Earlier this year, a US federal judge upheld an “ag-gag” law in Iowa that prohibits unauthorized access to private property for the purpose of recording footage inside animal agriculture facilities.[1] To many, this decision may seem like a minor issue of property rights. But its implications reach far deeper, striking at the core of transparency, … Continued

The post From <em>The Jungle</em> to Ag-Gag: How the Meat Industry Still Fears the Truth appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> The Hidden Universe Within: Feeding and Nurturing the Microbiome https://nutritionstudies.org/the-hidden-universe-within-feeding-and-nurturing-the-microbiome/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:30:34 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55610 Imagine stepping into a vibrant zoo or, better yet, a bustling planetary system where trillions of creatures of staggering diversity roam, interact, and shape entire worlds. That might sound fantastical, but it’s the everyday reality tucked within us: our microbiome. A landmark study estimated that a typical adult has approximately 30 trillion human cells and … Continued

The post The Hidden Universe Within: Feeding and Nurturing the Microbiome appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> A Perennial Future: Agriculture’s Next Evolution https://nutritionstudies.org/a-perennial-future-agricultures-next-evolution/ Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:29:43 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55615 For much of modern history, agriculture has relied on annual crops like corn, soy, and wheat. These crops dominate farmland and anchor global markets, but their short lifespans come at a steep ecological cost. In the conventional agriculture systems that dominate today, annual fields must be plowed, seeded, fertilized, and sprayed every year, creating constant … Continued

The post A Perennial Future: Agriculture’s Next Evolution appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> The EAT-Lancet Diet: A First Step toward a Healthier Planet and Healthier People https://nutritionstudies.org/the-eat-lancet-diet-a-first-step-toward-a-healthier-planet-and-healthier-people/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 23:10:17 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55277 As the global population climbs toward ten billion and environmental pressures intensify, the connection between what we eat and the health of the planet is clearer than ever. Food production is a leading driver of environmental degradation, fueling climate change, deforestation, freshwater depletion, pollution, and biodiversity loss. In fact, agriculture is pushing us beyond at … Continued

The post The EAT-Lancet Diet: A First Step toward a Healthier Planet and Healthier People appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Planetary Boundaries 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Food Impacts Each One https://nutritionstudies.org/planetary-boundaries-101-what-they-are-why-they-matter-and-how-food-impacts-each-one/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:54:10 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55262 Planetary boundaries are a set of scientifically defined environmental limits within which humanity can sustainably survive. These thresholds establish a “safe operating space” for human development, ensuring that the earth’s systems remain stable and resilient. Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of triggering large-scale, potentially irreversible environmental changes. The global food system, particularly industrial livestock … Continued

The post Planetary Boundaries 101: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How Food Impacts Each One appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> How to Reduce Your Water Footprint through Smarter Food Choices https://nutritionstudies.org/how-to-reduce-your-water-footprint-through-smarter-food-choices/ Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:20:57 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=54961 Water is often described as the most essential element for life on Earth, yet it is a resource we frequently take for granted, especially when it comes to the food we eat. While we may be mindful of turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth or fixing leaky taps, the vast majority of our … Continued

The post How to Reduce Your Water Footprint through Smarter Food Choices appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> How Our Food Choices Could Help Reforest the Planet https://nutritionstudies.org/how-our-food-choices-could-help-reforest-the-planet/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:42:49 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=54834 The global food system lies at the center of some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Yet it also offers one of our greatest opportunities: the chance to reforest vast areas of the planet by rethinking what we eat. Nearly half of the world’s habitable land is currently … Continued

The post How Our Food Choices Could Help Reforest the Planet appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply https://nutritionstudies.org/toxic-trade-offs-how-banned-pesticides-still-enter-the-us-food-supply/ Mon, 19 May 2025 13:48:11 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=54595 Despite growing scientific consensus around the dangers of certain pesticides, many of these chemicals continue to be produced, used, and consumed around the world—even in countries where they’ve officially been banned. This global dissonance is particularly stark when comparing pesticide regulations in the European Union (EU) and the United States. Relying heavily on the precautionary … Continued

The post Toxic Trade-Offs: How Banned Pesticides Still Enter the US Food Supply appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Pesticides—Adapting Chemicals of War https://nutritionstudies.org/pesticides-adapting-chemicals-of-war/ Mon, 19 May 2025 13:39:28 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=54587 The story of pesticides is not merely one of agricultural innovation; it is also a story of militarism, industrial expansion, ecological upheaval, and a conflicted relationship with the natural world.

The post Pesticides—Adapting Chemicals of War appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Can Organic Farming Feed the World? https://nutritionstudies.org/can-organic-farming-feed-the-world/ Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:23:04 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=54143 In the ongoing debate between conventional and organic farming, it’s commonly believed that conventional agriculture is necessary to meet the growing global demand for food. However, decades of research from the Rodale Institute show that organic farming can not only match but often outperform conventional methods in terms of yield, sustainability, and profitability.

The post Can Organic Farming Feed the World? appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Fish Farming and Aquatic Life https://nutritionstudies.org/fish-farming-and-aquatic-life/ Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:20:50 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=53454 Aquatic ecosystems worldwide are facing severe challenges according to nearly every available metric. Recent reports indicate that shark and stingray populations have been halved since 1970, trends which echo earlier studies showing a 49% decline in fish populations between 1970 and 2012.[1][2] Today, nearly 90% of global marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or … Continued

The post Fish Farming and Aquatic Life appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> ​​How Much Land Could 100 Americans Conserve by Switching Their Diets? https://nutritionstudies.org/how-much-land-could-100-americans-conserve-by-switching-their-diets/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 09:03:54 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=49176 In recent years, the debate around what constitutes a “sustainable diet” has led to much discussion. So, as a thought experiment, we analyze the impact that would come from 100 people currently eating the standard American diet switch to a fully plant-based diet.

The post ​​How Much Land Could 100 Americans Conserve by Switching Their Diets? appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Air Pollution and Industrialized Livestock https://nutritionstudies.org/air-pollution-and-industrialized-livestock/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:55:36 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=47761 For a long time, we have understood that agriculture is a major contributor to air pollution, but only recently has there been an effort to determine the relative impact of specific foods or diets.

The post Air Pollution and Industrialized Livestock appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Can Agriculture Prevent Earth’s Sixth Mass Extinction? https://nutritionstudies.org/can-agriculture-prevent-earths-sixth-mass-extinction/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 05:43:15 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=46193 The effort to combat the ongoing biodiversity crisis, which has led many to conclude we are currently entering and experiencing Earth’s sixth mass extinction event. Unlike the previous five extinction events, the current one is caused by the activity of a single species—humans.

The post Can Agriculture Prevent Earth’s Sixth Mass Extinction? appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> The Environmental Case For Free-Range Livestock? https://nutritionstudies.org/free-range-livestock/ Sun, 29 Jan 2023 12:24:48 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=45751 The agricultural system is designed to provide for diets high in animal products. Nine in ten Americans consume meat regularly, and three in five agree that eating red meat is part of the American way of life. This attitude and practice run contrary to the science of nutrition.

The post The Environmental Case For Free-Range Livestock? appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Consolidation in the Food System https://nutritionstudies.org/consolidation-in-the-food-system/ Wed, 09 Nov 2022 09:15:56 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=44839 This month a mega-merger was announced between Kroger and Albertsons that could have large ramifications for grocery shopping in American supermarkets while continuing the trend toward further consolidation.

The post Consolidation in the Food System appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Have You Ever Considered the Environmental Footprint of Your Pet? https://nutritionstudies.org/have-you-ever-considered-the-environmental-footprint-of-your-pet/ Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:03:12 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=31909 You consider your environmental footprint with all your food choices, but have you ever thought about the environmental “paw print” of your beloved pet?

The post Have You Ever Considered the Environmental Footprint of Your Pet? appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]> Feeding Our Food: Agriculture and Deforestation https://nutritionstudies.org/feeding-our-food-agriculture-and-deforestation/ Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:50:17 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=31727 Climate change is an existential crisis driven substantially by deforestation, which is driven in turn by food production. Along the way, the forces driving climate change also exploit people, degrade communities, and destroy biodiversity. A more sustainable and socially just future is possible. Learn how you can be a part of the solution.

The post Feeding Our Food: Agriculture and Deforestation appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Steven Disla.

]]>