How Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Impacted California Food, Agriculture, and Environment?

Jun 03, 2020

The University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics just released a special coronavirus issue of ARE Update. The report includes three articles addressing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on farm labor, food security, and traffic and pollution in California. ARE Professor Michael Anderson writes about vehicle traffic (and associated pollution) in California and shows that travel dropped dramatically—40 – 60%—in California following the stay-at-home order, but then began increasing in mid April, long before any restrictions on the stay-at-home order were lifted.

The report also includes profiles of leading California agricultural industries and illustrates the different ways the pandemic has impacted leading industries like dairy, beef, and produce – industries that have scrambled to repurpose products from foodservice to retail; and tree nuts – an industry that saw a temporary spike in sales as consumers hoarded storable goods. The report includes expert assessments of what the future holds for California’s cattle, dairy, produce, strawberry, tomato, tree nut, and wine industries.

Full Report can be found here: https://s.giannini.ucop.edu/uploads/giannini_public/d4/e0/d4e0d72d-648c-4a0e-9048-cef6d9f2ba77/v23n5.pdf

Source : berkeley.edu

Video: World Without Cows - Official Trailer

In World Without Cows, journalists Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth take viewers on a global journey to explore the essential role of cattle in agriculture, food systems, and rural economies. Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, and environmental scientists, the documentary challenges the growing wave of misinformation surrounding cattle and climate change.

Prompted by the rise of unscientific narratives that paint livestock in a negative light, Michael and Whitworth set out to tell a more balanced story—one rooted in evidence and lived experience. The film highlights the cultural significance of cows, their contribution to global nutrition, and the innovations within the industry aimed at reducing environmental impact.

World Without Cows is a compelling reminder of the complexity and importance of livestock in a sustainable future.

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