Sustainable food and water systems in Chile and Sweden

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Research Theme Summary

This research theme explores sustainable food and water systems in Chile and Sweden from multiple perspectives, including agronomic, climatic, socioeconomic, geographic, and ecological dimensions. Food and water systems encompass the entire supply chain—from resource inputs to consumption and waste management—and are influenced by factors such as hydroclimatic conditions, water availability, technology, economics, and policy. The goal is to develop an integrated understanding of these complex systems and their interactions to address challenges related to food and water security, sustainability, and climate change adaptation in both countries.

Both Chile and Sweden face significant challenges in ensuring food and water security amid climate change. This research is scientifically relevant as it integrates multiple disciplines to understand complex system interactions, and socially relevant because it addresses critical issues affecting agricultural livelihoods, water resources management, and food supply chains in both countries.

PIs

 

Magdalena Jensen, Universidad de Concepción

Fernando Jaramillo, Stockholm University

 

Participants

 

David Lindao, Stockholm University

Dilier Olivera Viciedo, Universidad de O'Higgins

Andres Bustamante, Universidad de Chile

 
 

Martin Marañon Eguivar, Stockholm University

Luigia Brandimarte, KTH

Abigail Robinson, Stockholm University

 
 

Andrew Frampton, Stockholm University

Francisca Echeverría González, Universidad Católica

Tania Zaviezo, Universidad Católica

 
 

Osvaldo Alejandro Salazar Guerrero, Universidad de Chile

 

Outcomes

The workshop produced significant outcomes across its four-day program. On Day 1, participants engaged in discussions identifying current challenges for achieving water and food security in both countries. Day 2 focused on exploring existing interdisciplinary frameworks to analyze these challenges. The most significant outcome emerged on Days 3-4, where the group developed a joint journal manuscript with the working title “From Patagonia to Fennoscandia: A binational approach for research collaboration to understand food and water security in the light of climate change.” The interdisciplinary team, comprising researchers from Chile and Sweden at various career stages, established productive collaborative relationships and outlined clear responsibilities for the manuscript’s completion.