@newscientist: Science is giving us plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future - one is fertilisers. Synthetic fertilisers cause a lot of problems to the health of our environment and ecosystems - but researchers believe they’ll have a solution very soon. Rowan Hooper discusses the very real possibility of crops that can make their own fertiliser. Prompted by Caitlin Moran’s new book How to Be Hopeful, the New Scientist team shares eight recent developments that genuinely make them optimistic about the future Hear the full story on The World, the Universe and Us, a news podcast for the insatiably curious, hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet. Tap link in bio to learn more #ScienceHope, #AIDiscoveries, #Breakthroughs, #ClimateChange, #Renewable energy, #Fertilisers, #SciencePodcast, #Science, #ScienceFacts, #NewScientist, #Podcast

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Saturday 26 September 2026 08:55:02 GMT

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Alarchwen :

Fungi also help plants to grow. Insects cycle nutrients. So farmers need to stop using fungicides and insecticides.

2026-09-26 11:40:57

thru_the_eye_of_needlez :

I've noticed they've gotten rid of the ridiculously chipper music when discussing serious topics. Thanks, I see you.

2026-10-08 00:59:46

jefferyocrowley :

Learned this from that farmer on clarkson farm

2026-09-26 09:03:28

Losthiker :

These two are brilliant.

2026-09-26 13:41:30

Sweet Potato :

I didn’t even know we HAD synthetic fertilizer wtf someone lock up the whole Boardroom and the Shareholders wtf

2026-09-26 09:29:35

TimG :

This is why I ignore The New Scientist. Junk science. Yes there are differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers. Namely the latter being water soluble. That results in faster uptake by the plant, but it also increases the possibility of leaching and runoff. However that’s not the end of the story. There are multiple methods to limit leaching and runoff. Then there is the not so small fact that synthetic fertilizers make up more than 80% of the world’s agricultural nutrient input. Meaning what the asswipes who want to get rid of synthetic fertilizer really want is to reduce food production. Less food, less people, who are after all the bane of Mother Nature.

2026-09-27 17:05:37

Monday Benson 🇬🇧🇪🇺 :

Aw, don’t do a clip with the Diva Caitlin Moran and only give her ten seconds of air time😢

2026-09-26 09:25:03

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