Maria Jose
Ibarrola-Rivas
Associate Researcher
Institute of Geography, UNAM, Mexico
My main research topic is the sustainability of the food system. I am interested in analysing the environmental impact of food from a demand perspective. To do this, I focus on the use of agricultural resources: land, water and energy. I link what people eat with how it is produced. I study the interconnections among the different drivers of the food system. I connect the drivers of the food production systems (agro-climatic parameters and management practices) with the drivers of the food demand (socioeconomic, demographic and cultural situation which determine the diets’ and population’s dynamics). I calculate the use of agricultural resources per person and use it as an indicator of sustainability. Furthermore, I discuss the trade-offs among agricultural resources e.g. land VS fertilizers. In order to do this, I follow an interdisciplinary approach. I analyse changes in the past and differences among regions to assess the future situation.