Karen Mancl

Commentaries by Karen Mancl

Karen Mancl

Professor Emerita of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, and Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars

Karen Mancl is Professor Emerita of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University. In 2020, she is working as a research assistant in the Woodrow Wilson Center China Environment Forum. She specializes in rural wastewater treatment and has developed low-cost treatment systems installed in Ohio and China. Her PhD in Water Resources is from Iowa State University and MA in East Asian Studies and MA in Public Policy are from Ohio State University.

U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement Rooted in Agriculture
Feb 26, 2024
Since the early 1970s the United States and China have exchanged teams of agricultural scientists to explore solutions to food security issues. Agriculture has been a part of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement since 1979 and over 2100 U.S. scientists traveled to China to learn more about their technology with a near equal number of Chinese scientists also participating in the exchange. Sadly, this foundational agreement expired in August 2023 and is operating on just a 6-month extension.
U.S. China Policy China’s U.S. Policy Economic Cooperation
Decades of Plastic Use in Agriculture Is Catching up to Chinese Farmers
Jun 02, 2022
The advent of plastic mulch has electrified agricultural output globally, with China leading the way in its application. Sadly, plastic fragments are now heavily polluting China’s agricultural soils. New regulations within the 14th five-year plan set out to greatly restrict the use of the ultra-thin plastic and protect China’s soil.
Environmental Protection Sustainable Development
Holiday Treats Become Invasive Species and Threatens Biodiversity in the U.S. and China
Oct 07, 2021
In 2019, U.S. Customs seized 3400 pounds of invasive Chinese mitten crabs at the Cincinnati, Ohio airport. The mitten crab threatens commercial fishing and biodiversity and is listed on the top 100 worst invader list. China is hosting the 15th meeting of the Convention on Biodiversity and is in a position to show leadership in protecting aquatic environments.
Environmental Protection
COVID-19 Changing the Mink Production Landscape in U.S. and China
Apr 17, 2021
Early in the pandemic, an unexpected outbreak among mink brought catastrophe to Denmark’s vaunted mink fur industry, leading to the extermination of its entire mink population and total collapse of its output. The U.S. and China are among the top contenders looking to capitalize on the sudden vacuum in the market.
COVID-19
Brewing Biogas in the U.S. and China
May 17, 2020
Around the world, breweries are seeking ways to lower their environmental footprint, while increasing production and profits. The brewery industries in China and the U.S. look at methane biogas capture from their wastes as a part of both their business plans and to meet environmental sustainability goals.
Environmental Protection
China Increasing Agricultural Production on a Sea of Plastic
Apr 16, 2020
Agricultural plastics have transformed China’s agriculture and the Chinese are unlikely to abandon its use. If things do not change, plastic use in agriculture will move from a “white revolution to white pollution”.
Environmental Protection
Pig Disease Creating Mountainous Solid Waste Problem
Feb 12, 2020
The spread of African swine fever is likely to extend beyond China’s borders and become a global issue. The U.S. would benefit greatly from collaborating with its long-standing trade rival to combat the disease that has been wreaking havoc on the pork industry.