Moshe Safdie is a master builder, a world leading architect who aims to address people’s social problems by designing buildings. I first met Moshe Safdie when we were recipients of the Wolf Prize. Safdie radiated the quiet authority of someone whose work speaks for itself, yet he was generous with his time and insights. He […]
“If Walls Could Speak” by Moshe Safdie -Architecture and Lessons for Economics Read More »
The circular bioeconomy aims to enhance the productivity of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries by optimizing the use of natural resources in these sectors. It emphasizes recycling residues and waste products to generate energy, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, while also enabling carbon sequestration. These efforts contribute significantly to the transition from non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, to
Traveling Across Europe on the Road to a Circular Bioeconomy Read More »
Late August and early September are always good times to travel. This year, I am in Europe, where I participated in the European Agricultural Economics conference in Bonn and then travelled for two days to discover Lisbon. The Conference in Bonn The good news that I learned this summer is that agricultural economics is alive
Working at Bonn and Playing at Lisbon Read More »
Most people in the developed world worry much more about “what is a good diet” or “how to enjoy food and lose weight”, rather than “will there be enough food?”. The abundance of food in the last two to three centuries is the result of scientific discoveries and resulting innovations (selective breeding, fertilizer, pesticide, tractors,
Richard was arguably the leading Ag economist in the world in last quarter of the 20th to early 21st century until his retirement. He was my dissertation advisor, and a life-long friend and collaborator. On July 30th, 2025, several of his students and colleagues assembled with Richard and his family to celebrate his career. It was an emotional
In Appreciation of Richard Just Read More »
Beahrs ELP and Rausser alumni Dear Berkeley, RCNR, and Beahrs ELP alumni, We are in the midst of an emergency. The BEAHRS Environmental Leadership Program, which brings environmental leaders from around the world to Berkeley every summer to acquire knowledge and leadership skills and build a global network in Berkeley, is under threat from immigration policies
Opportunity to Learn, Have Fun, and Support the BEAHRS ELP During this Tough Time Read More »
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and The Revenge of the Tipping Point. Both books draw on and interpret a wide array of scientific papers, making them informative and engaging and valuable contributions to broader discourse beyond the academic literature. My work focuses on the economics of adoption and diffusion. Adoption and diffusion, from time
Abundance is a timely and insightful book offering a fresh perspective on the developments that led to the Trump revolution while presenting a vision for the future. Its outlook on economics and politics is both creative and, I must say, one I strongly share. The authors begin with the premise that crises often precipitate paradigm shifts
In Praise of Abundance (Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson — Avid Reader, 2025) Read More »
On March 4th, I participated in an Ideas Lab organized by the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels. During the event, we learned that President Trump had officially imposed tariffs on U.S. allies and adversaries—tariffs being his preferred economic policy tool. That same day, we also discovered that the U.S. had halted aid to
The Awakening of Europe? Read More »
The bioeconomy applies modern biotechnology and other advanced biosciences with natural resources to produce a wide range of products, including chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, and traditional food and fiber. It provides employment opportunities in the rural sector, including the Central Valley, and addresses food security challenges, biodiversity loss, and resilience to climate shocks. Berkeley should be
The Opportunities at the Richmond Field Station – Anchoring the Bioeconomy in Berkeley Read More »