UC Berkeley – Tel Aviv University Workshop on Bioeconomy

Concerns about climate change, food security and energy supply serve as dramatic incentives for shifting into more sustainable systems. A key to this transition is the shift from a petroleum-based economy to renewable alternatives. These renewable alternatives increase reliance on solar power, but also on biofuels.

It has been predicted that between now and 2050, global population and changing diets in emerging countries are projected to bring about a 70% increase in food demand while at the same time, natural resources are being depleted and climate change is escalating.  As two billion more people are predicted to be added to the world’s population by mid-century, rapid interdisciplinary innovation in sustainable practices is needed to ensure a constant supply of food, fibers and fuel to meet rising demand.

These developments present a major challenge for the productivity of biological systems, and it needs to be addressed by experts from diverse backgrounds: life scientists, economists and policy makers.

This workshop will bring together biologists, environmental scientists, policy makers and economists to enhance cross-talk and address key challenges in the field of the bioeconomy.

The workshop will take place April 27-28, 2015 and will be open to the general public. Admission is free however, please sign up here to give us an estimate for our planning purposes.