The Big Story 

California farmworkers may soon have access to reliable and more affordable housing, after Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed three bills into law Tuesday.  

© iStock

By advancing these key pieces of legislation, the Golden State is aiming to help families avoid disruptions caused by seasonal movement and enable children to maintain consistent academic progress, according to the governor's office.  

“Farmworkers are the backbone of California’s nation-leading agricultural industry and play a critical role in ensuring the stability of the state, nation and world’s food supply," Newsom said in a statement.  

"Investing in their well-being is investing in California’s success,” the governor continued. “All families deserve access to safe and stable housing.” 

The first bill, AB 2240, authorizes California's Department of Housing & Community Development to create permanent units for individuals who currently reside in seasonal Office of Migrant Services residences.  

This allowance marks a significant shift from existing law, which only allows migrant farm labor centers to operate for up to 275 days each year. By the end of 2028, state agencies will need to identify and prioritize locations for such year-round housing. 

The second bill, AB 3035, focuses on streamlining the living situations for farmworkers in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, where the governor's office cited an "urgent demand for more housing." 

The new law will allow for such housing in these counties within 15 miles of an area designated as farmland, while also increasing the maximum units permissible from 36 to 150.  

In doing so, the governor's office stated, the new law "will enable larger developments in areas with access to essential services, addressing issues of overcrowding and inadequate living conditions." 

The third bill, SB 1105, enables agricultural employees who work outside to use accrued paid sick leave to avoid heat, smoke or flood conditions during a local or state emergency.  

“California farmworkers put their bodies through incredible stress every day to feed families across the globe,” the bill's sponsor, State Sen. Steve Padilla (D), said in a statement.  

“Giving these workers the freedom and peace of mind to use their hard earned sick days to protect their health further adds to California’s landmark labor protections,” Padilla added. 

Welcome to The Hill’s Sustainability newsletter, I'm Sharon Udasin — every week we follow the latest moves in the growing battle over sustainability in the U.S. and around the world.

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Fisheries 

© AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Scientists are calling upon policymakers to shift their approach to global fisheries management — with the goal of avoiding ongoing destruction and protecting food supplies for generations. 

Key to this change will be a redefinition of so-called "sustainable fishing," which marine researchers described as dangerously flawed in a new report, published in Nature's npj Ocean Sustainability.  

‘Scientifically obsolete’: Today's prevailing definition, the authors explained, is leading to the ongoing depletion of marine species and the eradication of natural carbon sinks.  

• “The current concept of ‘sustainable fishing’, adopted by governments and private actors since the post-war period is scientifically obsolete,” lead author Callum Roberts, a professor at the U.K.'s University of Exeter, said in a statement.
• This “simplistic” definition “assumes that as long as global catch volumes remain below a set limit, anyone can fish just about anything, anywhere, with any method,” Roberts added.  

Unsustainable practices: Current standards of "sustainability," the researchers said, fail to address global biodiversity and climate breakdown. 

• Instead, the status quo supports high-capital industrial practices that benefit the Global North.
• Meanwhile, this approach is harming ecosystems and public finances, threatening jobs and jeopardizing artisanal fishing and food security. 

Minimizing, adapting: The scientists outlined a series of "golden rules" that they believe could lay the foundation for a swift transition to a long-term, sustainable fishing model.  

• Fishing must minimize impacts on marine species, enable regeneration of depleted life and adapt to a changing climate.
• The industry also must enhance the health and resilience of people and communities.   

Setting limits: To accomplish these goals, the authors suggested proactive steps, such as reducing overfishing and eliminating gear that generates collateral damage. 

• Other advice included setting limits on boat size and sourcing only from fisheries with good governance.
• The researchers also stressed the need to restrict fishing in areas with the most vulnerable species and close fisheries that abuse human rights.  

Ending the ‘resource race’: “We must view fishing as a privilege rather than a right," Roberts said.  

“Marine life is a public good that should both benefit society and nature, not be the object of a resource race driven by private gains,” he added.

Read more here.

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