Keith Schneider

Paul Ehrlich, the population scientist whose prediction of a “population bomb” evolved into a global population drawback, died yesterday. The NYT obituary I prepared: nytimes.com/2026/03/15/boo…

Bayer mounted a nationwide campaign in last 2 years to protect the $2.8 billion market for Roundup. Its case is now heard in the Oval Office, Congress, the EPA, the U.S. Solicitor General’s office, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Legislatures of 11 states. circleofblue.org/2026/agricultu…

Here’s a surprise. MAGA change of strategy on renewable energy. washingtonpost.com/business/2026/…

The Senate is poised to vote on a resolution intended to clear a new pathway to eventually open a long-disputed copper mine close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There’s a lot riding on the vote, and not just for northern Minnesota. circleofblue.org/2026/water-pol…

Trump displays every intent to do as much damage as he can to America’s world-leading program of natural resource protection. But clear signals of countermeasures and opposition are in view, particularly in the Great Lakes region. circleofblue.org/2026/opinion/g…

SMR development is motivated by converging , unconfirmed projections prompting billions in investment. By far the most important: the cost of building nuclear plants will fall, and demand for electricity will significantly increase. circleofblue.org/2026/water-ene…

On January 15 author and activist Chris Jones launched a longshot political campaign as a Democrat to serve as Iowa’s 18th agriculture secretary. His message: hold agriculture accountable for its colossal contamination. circleofblue.org/2026/opinion/c…

Michigan in 2025 issued nationally significant requirements big livestock and poultry producers to more safely manage the brown tide of manure they spread each year on farm fields. They are so encouraging to movement to stem farm pollution. circleofblue.org/2026/great-lak…

America attacked Venezuela. Maduro will be prosecuted for drugs and corruption. Recall US attacked Panama in 1989 to remove Noriega on similar charges. U.S. lost 24 soldiers then. Panama casualties: 500 soldiers and civilians. Maduro operation yielded no U.S. dead, Trump said.

No one I know considers their lives near the forests and clean waters of the upper Great Lakes as anything other than a blessing. All of what we’ve accomplished in the Great Lakes is in mortal danger from a president and compliant allies in Congress. circleofblue.org/2025/opinion/t…

Court rulings are poised to arrive next year on operation of Line 5 oil pipeline that crosses the Great Lakes. They come amid a new era of energy demand and supply unfolding in Great Lakes states. circleofblue.org/2025/great-lak…

Neither Catalonia, Spain, nor Iowa took into account the serious consequences to water of raising many animals indoors – until wells and streams and lakes and rivers were thoroughly poisoned by nitrates. It’s the same story almost everywhere on Earth. circleofblue.org/2025/agricultu…

It’s useful to know that the dreadful leadership and debilitating governance that is trying to wreck the American experience is an outlier among the nations of the world. I spent time in Barcelona this month. circleofblue.org/2025/opinion/c…

Chris Jones, former U. of Iowa water quality researcher and farm pollution activist, may run for Iowa Sec. of Agriculture. If he does it would be most significant race for crucial agriculture post since Jim Hightower ran and won Texas Ag Commissioner race in 1982.

Times reports that $1.2 billion in Food For Peace program, dropped by DOGE wrecking crew that took out USAID, will be restored in ‘end shutdown’ proposal. Reflects not weakening of anti “woke” view of Whitehouse. Rather power of Corn Belt agriculture.

Why is SNAP so crucial to people that need help? Because the $9 billion SNAP costs per month to feed 42 million low income Americans amounts to an average $214 per person per month. It’s a big help and so many families receiving benefits include working adults.

Here’s another crucial, despicable, dangerous detail about the White House assault on health and environment. The Trump administration doesn’t want Americans to know about trace farm chemicals in water. See: circleofblue.org/2025/opinion/t…

The world paused for more than a moment to mourn and honor Jane Goodall. For just one mournful yet brilliant day — the first day of October 2025, the day Jane Goodall died — the deepening menace of our era was eased by the shining example of her life. circleofblue.org/2025/opinion/j…

Jane Goodall’s death is a blessed reminder of how intelligence, grace, and courage changes the world. She displayed all the essential virtues of an activist intent on assuring Mother Earth's safety. I wrote her obituary published this morning in the Times. static01.nyt.com/images/2025/10…

Across the planet a shameful retreat is occurring in the global work to secure clean water and safe sanitation for millions of people in Africa and Asia. The end of U.S.A.I.D. is wrecking business plans for thousands of American grain producers. circleofblue.org/2025/opinion/a…