*Originally posted December 22, 2017 This year moved very quickly, and it was relatively quiet on a personal level, which is good. I really enjoyed playing with my grandchildren as they grow up. Our sons and daughtersin- law are doing well. Leorah is enjoying her retirement, and maybe one day I’ll join her. She is […]
My annual review 2017 Read More »
I first encountered the debate on climate change in the 1980s when I helped to organize a workshop at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Our aim was to discuss the findings and implications of emerging research on climate change. As I recall there was not yet a consensus among meteorologists and other scientists about interpreting
People always have been concerned with eating healthy food. In recent years with the growing concern about obesity, diabetes and heart disease, there is a growing realization that foods rich in fats and sugars are “bad for you.” This has made eating vegetables even more desirable. They are packed with nutrients, but with minimal amounts
The innovations behind the new food revolutions Read More »
The Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program is a three-week summer program that has trained more than 600 professionals, leaders and concerned citizens interested in issues of sustainable development, the environment and natural resources. It provides policy, conflict resolution, climate change, supply chain management, and marketing through interactive learning, group interaction, field trips, and projects. It helps
I was very sorry to learn that Irma Adelman passed away February 24, 2017 . A brilliant woman whose life story and achievements were truly awe-inspiring, Irma lived through some of the most important events of the 20 th century and her research tools and ideas have impacted the lives of countless people. We were privileged
Irma Adelman (1930-2017): A leading economist and outstanding Berkeley faculty member Read More »
When I was an undergraduate student in Israel, I remember asking one of my professors, ‘Who is the greatest economist in the world today: Samuelson or Friedman?’ His answer surprised me: Arrow. I was embarrassed not to know him, and asked “Who?!” My professor replied, “If you go to graduate school, you’ll learn about him.”
Ken Arrow – A Great economic theorist, but an even Greater humanist Read More »
This year wasn’t a good year in many aspects. On February 13, we lost Leorah’s mom, Hana, who was 94. She stayed with us during the last 18 months of her life and Leorah did an incredible effort to make her last few months on earth as pleasant as possible. We miss her and will
My annual review 2016 Read More »
I have been teaching agricultural policy and economics for thirty years and realized that much of the policy debate originated by thinkers and practitioners from a wide array of disciplines – and not limited to politicians, economists and policy analysts. This is not new; Silent Spring, written by Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, was a
From slow food to fast food nations: The naturalist perspective on food Read More »
On July 22, we celebrated the successful completion of the 16th cohort of the Beahrs ELP. Our three-week annual program brings together up-and-coming leaders from around the world to provide training on environmental policy, resource management, conflict resolution, impact assessment, and overview of major topics like water and climate change. The ELP alumni network has more
Extending Berkeley’s Reach Read More »
Some of the key questions we raised as we celebrated the 20 th anniversary of the ICABR consortium were “why haven’t GMO crops been accepted and adopted as Green Revolution crops or medical rDNA?” “What are the constraints to the adoption of GMO?” “What are the differences among nations?” Several speakers addressed these questions and
Why agricultural biotech hasn’t reached its potential Read More »