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Harvest of Fear

Just as frightening as the corporation's tactics—ruthless legal battles against small farmers—is its decades-long history of toxic contamination. Democracy Nows Amy Goodman speaks to James Steele, contributing editor at Vanity Fair.

"While the rising cost of food around the world pushes millions into deeper hunger and scarcity, agricultural companies like Monsanto are posting record profits. The top seed maker in the world, Monsanto's stock has gained 95% over the past year and 1600% over the past 5 years. Monsantos' profits topped $1.6 Billion in the first quarter, up 37% over the same quarter last year.

North Pole

According to new data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the North Pole could become ice-free this summer because of a record low in ice formation. The good news: Its ice expanded at a greater rate this winter than it did in 2007, and there is the possibility that a milder, more cyclonic atmospheric pattern this summer could help preserve it.

The odds certainly aren't stacked in favor of the North Pole retaining its slivers of ice. Indeed, many scientists are expecting that the region, which will likely become ice-free within the next few months, could become a new hub for shipping activities and tourism. Or, as the NSIDC's Mark Serreze puts it: "The set-up for this summer is disturbing."

Edward Norton

"Sometimes it's the small things that really make a big difference for the planet. Consider your answer to a simple question: paper or plastic? How about neither. They've become insidious global tumbleweeds wreaking havoc on the environment.

"Each year more than five hundred billion (500,000,000,000) plastic bags are used worldwide. And because most bags never fully biodegrade, the environment is loaded with tiny pieces. Even tiny particles can create major problems. Within large swarthes of the Pacific Ocean there are more tiny pieces of plastic than food.

"But there is good news. The list of countries and cities banning plastic bags is growing. And you can be part of the solution. So, listen, bag the bags..."

Sir Charles Shults

Sir Charles Shults: "This is going to make solar affordable for everyone. This is a very standard prototype furnace made from a fresnel lens from an old recycled big screen television.

"I place it in an aluminum frame. And near the focus here we have a heat collector and a heat exchanged we can run water through to generate high pressure steam. We can generate approximately 1.2 kilowatts of energy from this lens."