Local Ag and the Environment

Master’s defense will discuss the environmental cost of increasing ag

You’ve probably heard about the importance of eating more locally grown foods. What are some ecological implications? Natural Resources and Environmental Management MS student Tanya Torres will discuss her findings during her defense of her thesis, “Quantifying the Environmental Footprint of Doubling Hawai‘i’s Local Food Supply.”

• Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2019
• Time: 3:30–4:20 PM
• Location: St. John room 011
• Join Zoom meeting; meeting ID: 294386624

Hawai‘i imports most of its food, resulting in low food self-sufficiency. To address this vulnerability, as well as support the local economy and generate jobs, Gov. Ige proposed doubling local food production by 2030. Tanya’s thesis notes that such expansion or intensification of local agriculture is likely to affect local and global environmental services. Because Hawai’i currently depends on the local environment for sustenance and economic growth through tourism, Tanya’s presentation will cover how additional local agriculture could affect the well-being of people in Hawai‘i.

Committee members include Kimberly Carlson (chair), Albie Miles of UH West O‘ahu, and Kirsten Oleson.

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