- Author: Ricardo A. Vela
Pink dolphins stopped hiding on the coasts of Hong Kong and Macau. In Mumbai, the city was invaded by flamingos in numbers never seen before. Similar stories of wild animals strolling quietly through cities around the world made headlines as the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic kept humans locked up at home. People became more aware of the impact humans have on nature.
Fifty-two years ago, April was selected to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the ecological balance of our planet.
What began as a novel demonstration through the streets of Philadelphia and other major cities of the world has become an annual event to open people's eyes to see the damage that our actions are causing to our environment.
Moving to the present, April 22 is an urgent call to act and to counteract the effects of climate change.
"Global warming is happening because as there are higher emissions, we are putting more layers, more blankets on the Earth, so that's why the climate is tending to increase,” says Samuel Sandoval Solís, a University of California Cooperative Extension water resources specialist in UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Sandoval Solis adds that wildfires occur more easily and spread quickly at higher temperatures.
Rising temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and upsetting nature's usual balance. This poses many risks to humans and all other life forms on Earth. Among the most devastating effects of global warming are more frequent droughts.
Sandoval comments, "Droughts, there have always been droughts; the relationship that exists is that because the system has started to accelerate, then we are going to have them more frequently and severe."
With help from UC ANR scientists' research, even during droughts the production of fruits and vegetables has continued successfully. At the UC Desert Research Center, experts study how drip irrigation may solve drought and climate change. "It was stimulating to see," said lead author Holly Andrews, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona. "Crop yields at least remained and, in some cases, increased, but water use and gas emissions decreased especially under drip irrigation."
Another effect of drought is the drying of plant material, which can fuel a wildfire. For seven years now, California has seen an increase in catastrophic fires.
"Contrary to popular belief, climate change does not produce forest fires. It promotes a greater amount of combustible material that can easily begin to burn. In 99% of cases, fires are caused by people," says Sandoval Solís.
UC ANR experts continuously analyze measures to prevent the spread of fires while creating wildfire-resilient communities. Before Europeans settled, Native Americans used "good fire" to manage forests. Rob York, a UC Cooperative Extension forest specialist who is based at Blodgett Forest Research Station, says that winter is the best season to use controlled fire.
Sabrina Drill, UC Cooperative Extension natural resources advisor, is part of a group of UC ANR researchers who have tested fire-resistant building materials and developed recommendations to create defensible space to reduce the chance of homes succumbing to flames in a wildfire and give residents enough time to escape.
"Wildfire preparedness requires YOU to take responsibility for your safety, property and pets in the event of a fire. Keep your property maintained to reduce the risk of damage during a wildfire and be fully prepared to evacuate," stated Drill.
Indian lawyer, political leader, and philosopher Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The land is not an inheritance from our parents, but a loan from our children."
Perhaps the best way to learn land management is by observing the customs of the native peoples of America. For indigenous peoples, Mother Earth is not an inert object, it is a source of life and is sacred, so one must live in harmony with her and find a balance so that it serves current and future generations.
UC ANR's California Naturalist Program offers activities through its multiple community partners that lead us to discover the importance of being one with nature regardless of whether one lives in an urban area. This group offers tools to take a more active role in conservation, education, and restoration of natural resources.
UC ANR offers vast and diverse ways to improve one's habits toward nature. Among these are the Master Gardener and California 4-H programs. They collaborate with less privileged families in urban areas and through community gardens, orchards, or plant care to show them how to coexist with nature.
At UC ANR, we are with you, and we can be partners in reducing the harmful effects of climate change. Join our experts to see the positive results of planting trees, composting waste, growing a home garden or school garden, and creating communities resilient to drought and wildfire. The planet belongs to everyone, now is the time to renew our commitment to save the planet. Global warming is everyone's responsibility. Let's do our part for its conservation.
- Author: Ricardo A. Vela
en Mumbai, la ciudad se vio invadida por flamencos en números nunca vistos. Historias similares de animales salvajes paseándose tranquilamente por urbes por todo el mundo hacían titulares mientras la amenaza de la pandemia del COVID19 mantenía a los humanos encerrados en casa. El hecho de ver a la muerte amenazante merodeándonos, mientras que resurgían especies de animales que con nuestra indiferencia habíamos condenado a su extinción; fue la bofetada que necesitábamos para poder reconocer nuestra huella en el calentamiento global.
La pandemia causada por el virus del COVID19, nos obliga a reflexionar sobre el daño que le estamos haciendo al planeta. Tomó solo un par de semanas en donde desde el interior de nuestros hogares constatamos que la naturaleza necesitaba el descanso de nosotros, de nuestros malos hábitos, de nuestra avaricia, de nuestra arrogancia hacia el planeta en el que y del que vivimos.
Desde hace cincuenta y dos años, abril fue seleccionado para concientizarnos sobre la importancia de conservar el equilibrio ecológico de nuestro planeta.
Lo que inició como una novedosa manifestación por las calles de Filadelfia, y otras principales ciudades del mundo en la cual se invitaba a todos los habitantes del planeta a que abrieran los ojos y vieran el daño que nuestras acciones pudieran ocasionar en la tierra en un futuro no muy lejano.
Pasemos rápidamente al presente, en donde el 22 de abril más que un abrir de ojos, es un despertar de todos los sentidos para actuar y poder contrarrestar un poco los efectos del calentamiento global.
Se ha vuelto una realidad el que por todo el planeta se vivan más días calurosos y olas de calor; el año 2020 fue uno de los más calurosos registrados en Europa. "Las temperaturas más elevadas aumentan las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor y pueden dificultar el trabajo y los desplazamientos.
“El calentamiento global se está dando porque como hay mayores emisiones, le estamos poniendo más capas, más cobijas a la Tierra, entonces por eso es por lo que el clima está tendiendo a incrementar”. ComentaSamuel Sandoval Solís, investigador sobre recursos hidráulicos de la División de Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de California.
Sandoval Solís agrega que los incendios forestales se producen con mayor facilidad y se propagan más rápidamente cuando las temperaturas son más altas.
El aumento de las temperaturas a lo largo del tiempo está cambiando los patrones climáticos y alterando el equilibrio habitual de la naturaleza. Esto supone muchos riesgos para los seres humanos y todas las demás formas de vida de la Tierra. Entre los efectos más devastadores del calentamiento global, son las sequías más frecuentes, sobre esto, Sandoval comenta, “Las sequías, siempre ha habido sequías; la relación que existe es que debido a que el sistema se ha empezado a acelerar, entonces las vamos a tener más frecuentes y severas”.
Expertos de UC ANR se encuentran al frente de las investigaciones para que aun durante la sequias, la producción de frutas, y legumbres, continué con éxito. En el centro de investigación del Desierto de la Universidad de California, sus científicos estudian como la irrigación por goteo puede ser la solución a la sequía y al cambio climático.
"Fue realmente emocionante verlo", dijo la autora principal Holly Andrews, becaria postdoctoral de la Fundación Nacional de Ciencias en la Universidad de Arizona. "El rendimiento de los cultivos al menos se mantuvo y, en algunos casos, aumentó, pero el uso de agua y las emisiones de gases disminuyeron especialmente bajo el riego por goteo".
Otro de los efectos de las sequías es el número de materiales combustibles y susceptibles para iniciar un incendio de maleza que se genera. Desde hace siete años California ha visto un aumento en este tipo de incendios.
“A diferencia de lo que se piensa, el cambio climático no produce incendios forestales. Lo que hace es propiciar que exista una mayor cantidad de material combustible que fácilmente puede comenzar a arder. En el 99% de los casos, los incendios los provoca la gente”, declara Sandoval Solís.
Expertos de UC ANR analizan continuamente las medidas para evitar la expansión de estos incendios y al mismo tiempo crear comunidades resilientes a las llamas. Mientras unos analizan métodos ya utilizados por los primeros pobladores de América como lo es la “buena quema” del suelo, Rob York, especialista en bosques de la Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California, y ubicado en la estación de investigación de la UC en el bosque Blodgett, asegura que el invierno es la mejor temporada de hacer este tipo de incendios controlados.
Sabrina Drill es parte del grupo de investigadores de UCANR que han dedicado horas y horas a probar materiales para construcción resistentes al fuego, y desarrollar una técnica para crear un espacio defensivo para reducir la posibilidad de que viviendas sucumban ante las llamas en un incendio forestal y se tenga tiempo suficiente para poder escapar con vida.
Querer conservar el planeta motivados sólo por el temor de perder nuestras propiedades, e incluso nuestras vidas durante una catástrofe natural ocasionada por los efectos del cambio climático, es como vivir una vida “piadosa” por tan sólo tener miedo a la muerte y a vivir en el infierno por la eternidad.
La única manera lo suficientemente fuerte para motivarnos por hacer algo para contrarrestar los efectos inevitables del cambio climático y el calentamiento global es que nos volvamos uno con la naturaleza, es decir, ver a la naturaleza como parte de nuestra esencia. Sólo así, podremos hacer un cambio radical en nuestro comportamiento como si el planeta fuera nuestro y desechable. El abogado, líder político y filósofo indio Mahatma Gandhi, dijo en una ocasión “La tierra no es una herencia de nuestros padres, sino un préstamo de nuestros hijos”.
Tal vez la mejor forma de aprender esto es poniendo nuestros ojos en las costumbres de los pueblos nativos de América. Para los pueblos indígenas, la Madre Tierra no es un objeto inerte, es fuente de vida y es sagrada, por lo que se debe vivir en armonía con ella y encontrar un equilibrio para que sirva a las generaciones actuales y futuras.
Las herramientas con que cuenta UC ANR para cambiar esquemas y rectificar malos hábitos son aún más. Entre estas se encuentran los programas Maestros Jardineros y California 4-H, que tiene entre sus objetivos colaborar con familias menos privilegiadas en zonas urbanas y a través de jardines comunitarios, huertos o el cuidado de plantas mostrarles como coexistir con la naturaleza.
En UC ANR estamos contigo y te mostramos como podemos ser socios en reducir los efectos negativos del cambio climático. Acompaña a nuestros expertos y permíteles mostrarte los efectos positivos de plantar árboles, reciclar la basura, cultivar un huerto casero o escolar y crear comunidades resilientes a las sequias y los incendios forestales.El calentamiento global es responsabilidad de todos, ahora es el momento de renovar nuestro compromiso de salvar el planeta. Pongamos de nuestra parte para su conservación.
- Author: Mike Hsu
Expanded from four chapters in the previous edition to 12, the third edition of Pesticide Safety: A Study Manual for Private Applicators aims to be more than just a study guide.
The manual, available for purchase in English and Spanish, provides much more detail on essential processes and procedures that will help keep applicators safe while using pesticides – as well as reduce environmental impacts from misapplication.
Published by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with the state's Department of Pesticide Regulation, the manual – intended for members of the agricultural community who own, manage or work on farms that use restricted-use pesticides – also includes substantial updates.
The new manual reflects important changes to federal and state regulations since the publication of the previous edition in 2006.
“There are significant regulatory updates which help you stay up-to-date with safety rules and standards – and protect your workers from overexposure to pesticides,” said Lisa Blecker, technical editor of the publication, and currently a pesticide safety educator at Colorado State University.
In addition to emphasizing the broader ecological ramifications of improper pesticide use, the manual includes information on subjects that might get short shrift in other manuals, such as the correct calibration of equipment to ensure accuracy of application.
“All of that is now in the book and fully fleshed out,” Whithaus said. “[Applicators] are going to be able to do that much more effectively using the new book, compared to the old one – it was really hard to be thorough in 80-some pages.”
The new edition – totaling more than 200 substantive pages – also features a more streamlined and user-friendly layout modeled after a sister publication, The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides, written for commercial applicators.
She highlighted the “knowledge expectations” listed at the beginning of each chapter and in the margins of the book, next to the relevant passages. The statements serve as “visual cues” to help readers learn and retain the material they need to pass California DPR's certification exam for private applicators.
And while the manual functions as an improved study aid for owners, managers and workers who apply pesticides, it doubles as a reference that they can turn to for years to come.
“It's going to be able to serve as a reference manual, as opposed to just a study guide,” Whithaus said. “You really will be able to use this book as a tool to help you do better in managing your land.”
The manual, listed at $29, is available for purchase in English at https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3383 and in Spanish at https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3394.
- Adaptado al español por: Ricardo A. Vela
Ampliada de cuatro a 12 capitulos, la tercera edición de Seguridad en el uso de Pesticidas: Un manual de estudio para aplicadores privados pretende ser más que una simple guía de estudio.
El manual, disponible para su compra en inglés y en español, proporciona muchos más detalles sobre los procesos y procedimientos esenciales que ayudarán a mantener seguros a los aplicadores mientras usan pesticidas, así como a reducir los impactos ambientales de la aplicación incorrecta.
Publicado por University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources en colaboración con el Departamento de Regulación de Pesticidas del estado, el manual, destinado a los miembros de la comunidad agrícola que poseen, administran o trabajan en granjas que usan pesticidas de uso restringido, también incluye actualizaciones sustanciales.
El nuevo manual refleja cambios importantes en las regulaciones federales y estatales desde la publicación de la edición anterior en 2006.
"Hay actualizaciones regulatorias significativas que lo ayudan a mantenerse al día con las reglas y estándares de seguridad, y protegen a sus trabajadores de la sobreexposición a los pesticidas", dijo Lisa Blecker, editora técnica de la publicación y actualmente educadora de seguridad de pesticidas en la Universidad Estatal de Colorado.
Además de enfatizar las ramificaciones ecológicas más amplias del uso inadecuado de pesticidas, el manual incluye información sobre temas que podrían tener poca importancia en otros manuales, como la calibración correcta del equipo para garantizar la precisión de la aplicación.
"Todo eso está ahora en el libro y completamente desarrollado", dijo Whithaus. "[Los aplicadores] van a poder hacerlo de manera mucho más efectiva usando el nuevo libro, en comparación con el anterior, fue realmente difícil ser exhaustivo en 80 páginas".
La nueva edición, que suma más de 200 páginas sustantivas, también presenta un diseño más simplificado y fácil de usar modelado a partir de una publicación hermana, The Safe and Effective Use of Pesticides, escrita para aplicadores comerciales.
Destacó las "expectativas de conocimiento" enumeradas al principio de cada capítulo y en los márgenes del libro, junto a los pasajes relevantes. Las declaraciones sirven como "señales visuales" para ayudar a los lectores a aprender y retener el material que necesitan para aprobar el examen de certificación de California DPR para aplicadores privados.
Y si bien el manual funciona como una ayuda de estudio mejorada para propietarios, gerentes y trabajadores que aplican pesticidas, funciona como una referencia a la que pueden recurrir en los próximos años.
"Va a poder servir como un manual de referencia, en lugar de solo una guía de estudio", dijo Whithaus. "Realmente podrás usar este libro como una herramienta para ayudarte a mejorar en la gestión de tu tierra".
El manual, que se cotiza en $29, está disponible para su compra en inglés en https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3383 y en español en https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3394.
- Author: Norma De la Vega
- Adapted to English by: Ricardo A. Vela
Today, amid a pandemia-battered labor market and a deep crisis across the food industry chain, it is crucial to reduce barriers to employment and pay attention to the problem of sexual harassment. This problem occurs most often in low-paying, male-dominated jobs such as agriculture.
Recent research from the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California UC ANR found that 30 percent of female workers at nine wine industry companies in Napa Valley reported some form of sexual harassment at their current job. They are young women under the age of 40, several temporary employees who usually work in small groups throughout the camp where sexist and hostile jokes and comments are frequently heard.
- Sexual harassment in agriculture is a historically neglected problem that is gaining economic relevance in the current context of agriculture, an industry dealing with labor shortages.
- The lack of a workforce is a severe problem, considered by several experts as the main challenge in food production.
- The shortage of male migrant workers would be even worse without increasing the female workforce.
"Women need to feel safe to be productive, and with the critical lack of labor in agriculture, this industry needs to make sure it retains these workers," Hobbs said.
Research indicates that between 40 and 75 percent of all working women in this country have experienced some form of sexual harassment, and this has not decreased since the 1980s. Even worse, the problem often occurs in low-paying jobs that men dominate.
Sexual harassment is unwanted behavior that the victim perceives as offensive that threatens their well-being. "It's a barrier that not only harms the victim but other workers at the company, and I should add that sexual harassment is not something that happens only to women but also to men, but this was not the focus of our study," Hobbs said.
- Gender-based harassment – jokes, comments, or suggestive stories that are offensive, or different treatment for being a woman (contempt or ignoring the woman)
- Unwanted sexual attention – requesting a date or inviting drinks even though you were told NO. Touching or groping the person.
- Sexual coercion – bribing the employee in exchange for engaging in sexual behavior (offering a promotion in exchange for a sexual favor)
- Hostile Sexism - comments or acts that are interpreted by women as sexist (for example: "Women are easily offended"; "women do not appreciate everything that men do for them"; "Women exaggerate the problems they have at work."
In agriculture, labor shortages are not a new problem. Since before the pandemic, they have been present and have been reduced thanks to the increase in women workers.
In 2017, Napa Valley vineyards employing an average of 100,000 workers had a shortage of 12 percent workers, and this would have been worse without the workers. "More women are working than there were 20 years ago, and this change in the gender of workers that I describe in Napa is also happening to some degree on the California Coast," he says.
The research highlights that between 2013 and 2016, the proportion of working women increased in Napa Valley vineyards from 10 to 25 percent.
"The economic motivation is, therefore, stronger than ever for agricultural companies to reduce barriers to employment and retain female workers, and sexual harassment in the workplace is a barrier to employment," Hobbs says. These women are indispensable to fill the vacancies that used to be filled by immigrant workers that have declined in recent years."
The research involved 195 men and 100 women, all Hispanics. The nine companies surveyed have more than 50 employees each; in seven of them, subcontracted labor is used, and in 2 vineyards, their employees are directly employed. The survey was conducted in English and Spanish. Of the 30 percent of women who reported experiencing sexual harassment, 9 percent said unwanted sexual attention and 1 percent sexual coercion.
"The fact that harassment is more prevalent among young women is an indicator that harassment is an obstacle to expanding the workforce because they are women who are starting to work," he said.
He explained that the relatively low percentage of sexual harassment found in this research compared to other research could be because the wine industry usually offers better wages and better working conditions than other workplaces.
Hobbs concludes that this research is an approach to a complex labor problem that requires more attention, and possibly the next step will be to analyze the overall work environment, addressing the hostile sexist attitudes of workers and evaluating the entire organization, which seems to be the most promising thing to reduce harassment in agriculture. "The conditions in which the workers are currently working makes them more vulnerable, the training help, but there are changes that must be executed. Changes have to be made throughout the organization," concluded the expert.
Additional resources:
This investigation was carried out thanks to the collaboration of the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at the University of California, Davis, offers all kinds of training on agricultural safety. An integral part of this report was a podcast where Teresa Andrews, the Center's Education and Community Outreach Specialist, talks extensively about what harassment is, what the law says about harassment, and what to do when you have been bullied. Here's the link to the podcast.