11–20 of 84 posts
The ecological and political consequences of avocados appears harsh. The article touches on both of these points. But I have no idea how global consumption could be reduced without also causing harm.
It appears to be as much of a "resource curse" as the drug trade is/was to Michoacán.
> We finally managed to recall the first name of our point person on the council How do you not have at least a hand scrawled itinerary ready to prompt you? > Uli joked about our holdup at the checkpoint, but Marcos didn’t laugh Why were they so unaware of the severity of the situation? Is it uncharitable to say their behavior makes me question the caliber of their journalism?
> They squinted at the business card in a plastic sleeve that I was passing off as a press credential If you are passing off a business card as fake press credentials, you aren’t a real journalist.
> We finally managed to recall the first name of our point person on the council How do you not have at least a hand scrawled itinerary ready to prompt you? > Uli joked about our holdup at the checkpoint, but Marcos didn’t laugh Why were they so unaware of the severity of the situation? Is it uncharitable to say their behavior makes me question the caliber of their journalism?
If they're writing first for a UK audience, how they described the incident could be cultural. I can totally imagine some UK people I know writing or speaking about an incident that way. It doesn't mean they're less aware or capable than someone who would write of the same incident differently.
In Cherán, however, there was no such violence. Nor were there any avocados. Thirteen years ago, the town’s residents prevented corrupt officials and a local cartel from illegally cutting down native forests to make way for the crop. A group of locals took loggers hostage while others incinerated their trucks. Soon, townspeople had kicked out the police and local government, cancelled elections, and locked down the w…
I remember watching Vice lionize rival Cartel thugs as "fed up anti-Cartel paramilitaries". I had to laugh.
In Cherán, however, there was no such violence. Nor were there any avocados. Thirteen years ago, the town’s residents prevented corrupt officials and a local cartel from illegally cutting down native forests to make way for the crop. A group of locals took loggers hostage while others incinerated their trucks. Soon, townspeople had kicked out the police and local government, cancelled elections, and locked down the w…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> They squinted at the business card in a plastic sleeve that I was passing off as a press credential If you are passing off a business card as fake press credentials, you aren’t a real journalist.
I’m not sure what other credentials an American journalist would have. Freedom of the press means everyone can be a journalist.
After reading, it appears the humble avocado might be better farmed vertically, using hydroponics, in region(s) with sufficient access to fresh water, and somewhere with the rule of law. It appears to be as much of a "resource curse" as the drug trade is/was to Michoacán.
After reading, it appears the humble avocado might be better farmed vertically, using hydroponics, in region(s) with sufficient access to fresh water, and somewhere with the rule of law. It appears to be as much of a "resource curse" as the drug trade is/was to Michoacán.
The problem is just that avocados farmed without regulatory oversight on illegally deforested (or otherwise occupied) land in regions with insufficient rule of law will be cheaper - same as with palm oil, marijuana ( https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-11/illegal-... ) and several other products...