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This study analyzes the current challenges in the science of sustainability, SS, in protected natural areas, particularly the case of a Unit of Environmental Management (UMA—Unidad de Manejo Ambiental) of the Moreletti crocodile in Ria Celestun, Campeche. SS is conceptualized as a holistic approach for identification and resolution of the main problems in sustainable systems with a global, social, and human scope. SS is not a basic or applied science; rather it distinguishes knowledge (scientific and non-scientific) to reach its objective to solve problems in the relationships between society and nature. The results of the analysis revealed intertwining of the activities of biodiversity conservation with sustainable practices in the territories parting from the approach of ecosystem services. This has been a key factor in obtaining advances in proper management of an intensive breeding farm associated with a scheme of productive diversification linked to development of both scientific-technological and social innovation, in which it is sought to conjugate scientific innovation with culture, traditional productive practices, and strengthening of local sociocultural identity of the mangroves to constitute a sustainable civil productive organization.

The aim of this article is to analyze why there are hindrances to the development of PGI products in Mexico, based on the case study of dairy farming in the Cienega de Chapala, Michoacan. Currently, local dairy production satisfies the demand of a parastatal company, marginally supplies the local consumption of fresh milk and is the supplier of the input for the production of a typical low-value ranchero cheese with local demand. In addition, there was a negative impact of NAFTA on local products, and it persists with the recent USMCA. However, with further development of collective action of local dairy farmers, it is possible to promote PGIs for the regional market by taking advantage of the opportunity offered by the new labeling policy of the current federal government. The methodology is a combination of qualitative and quantitative; 68 interviews were conducted with dairy farmers in the study area, and MFA and ATLAS.ti software were used. The results highlight that socio-environmental problems and market failures are related to the obstacles such as the lack of collective action of dairy farmers and the absence of a local governance system that regulates the market and promotes quality, food safety and sustainable practices in the territory.

Traditional food supply systems, like municipal public markets (MPM), are in crisis. Nevertheless, MPMs continue to demonstrate importance in the lives of the cities. In this article we discuss the case of Mexico City and the importance of the public markets for its neighbourhoods. We present the results of two research projects, completed in Mexico City at two different historical times and interpreted longitudinally. The results demonstrate the importance of socio-economic relationships for MPM's survival and potential. The article concludes with public policy recommendations to permit conservation, given the MPM's importance for the city's social cohesion.

[EN] Developing a basket of land goods means a systemic strategy for small farmers because it allows reaching multiple objectives in order to promote territorial competitiveness to access market niches with varied rural goods, strengthen social capital and generate better local levels in employment and income, together with increasing and preserving the environment. This analysis implied the application of a system dynamics model which produced possible future scenarios (through Vensim® DSS 5.8) about employment and income obtained by smallholder coffee farmers from Xicotepec de Juárez municipality in Puebla, regarding the setting of the above mentioned strategy for rural development. Results showed that this strategy was implemented successfully and also revealed opportunities for: a) improving the development capacity of small farmers; b) making the institutional context favorable; c) The reinforcement of social capital essential to implement this land strategy, [ES] La formación de una canasta de bienes territoriales representa una estrategia de índole sistémica para los pequeños agricultores, al permitir alcanzar múltiples objetivos que den resultados en materia de elevar la competitividad territorial, por medio de acceder a nichos de mercado de bienes rurales diferenciados, fortalecer el capital social y generar mejores niveles locales de empleo e ingresos, así como también mejorar y conservar el entorno ambiental. El análisis consistió en la aplicación de un modelo de dinámica de sistemas que generó posibles escenarios futuros (con el software Vensim® DSS 5.8) en torno a empleos e ingresos de campesinos cafetaleros minifundistas del municipio de Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, en relación a la adopción de dicha estrategia de desarrollo territorial rural. Los resultados fueron favorables para la implementación de dicha estrategia e indica las oportunidades para: a) mejorar el desarrollo de capacidades de los pequeños agricultores; b) hacer favorable el contexto institucional; c) fortalecer el capital social indispensable para dicha estrategia territorial.

Presently, alternative agri-food networks are in a renaissance, utilizing an economy of proximity to compete against transnational agri-business and food distributors. While this is positive ecologically and socioeconomically, the overreliance on market mechanisms in short food chains has led to class distinctions in food distribution and consumption. The result has been a capitalist consumer paradox exacerbating inequality in the alternative agri-food networks. To resolve this inequality, we focused on how public policy can leverage state investment in public markets to reduce or overcome the capitalist consumer paradox in short food chains. To clarify our argument, we began by examining the benefits of short food chains in the urban food system. Then, we explained how type of consumption and policy regime effect food access. After this, we utilized Mexico City and New York City’s public market systems as representative of an alternative policy regime and the effects of moving away from state-oriented development. We concluded by describing possible conflicts and complements to the integration of public markets into short urban food chains.

El presente artículo aborda dos aspectos: el primero explica las características de la crisis económica internacional y su conexión con el fenómeno de volatilidad de los precios agrícolas; el segundo analiza la influencia de la inestabilidad de los precios agrícolas sobre el agro latinoamericano y algunos posibles efectos sobre la seguridad alimentaria en la región. Se concluye que la volatilidad de los precios de los commodities agrícolas internacionales está supeditada a las tendencias de financiarización de la economía evidenciada en la crisis económica mundial reciente. Además, en Latinoamérica se afecta a los consumidores tanto urbanos como rurales disminuyendo su capacidad de acceso a una disponibilidad alimentaria de calidad, adecuada y suficiente repercutiendo negativamente sobre la situación de la seguridad alimentaria regional.

En este artículo se examina el concepto de modelo de intervención social y su aplicación en la solución a problemas socioambientales a partir de las encuestas de opinión que se realizaron durante 2007 y 2008 en dos barrios de Xochimilco sobre la ejecución del programa “A no generar basura”, dirigido a evitar la contaminación de los canales del lago; se concluye que los resultados fueron limitados dadas la persistencia de la contaminación por basura y aguas negras en los canales y la presencia de asentamientos irregulares en la zona chinampera. La hipótesis de trabajo, corroborada con instrumentos analíticos, plantea que una alternativa a esta deficiente instrumentación es el establecimiento de un proceso de intervención social basado en la educación ambiental, cuyo principal eje sea considerar que el problema es contrario a una buena calidad de vida del grupo social afectado. Con ello se activaría su participación para alcanzar una solución efectiva a dicha problemática socioambiental.AbstractThis article examines the concept of the model of social intervention and its use in the solution of socio-environmental problems on the basis of the opinion surveys conducted in 2007 and 2008 in two neighborhoods in Xochimilco on the implementation of the “No More Garbage” program, designed to prevent the pollution of the lake channels. It concludes that the results were limited due to the persistence of pollution from rubbish and sewage in the canals and the presence of irregular settlements in the chinampa zone. The working hypothesis, corroborated by analytical instruments, posits that the alternative to this inefficient implementation is the establishment of a process of social intervention based on environmental education, whose main axis involves considering that the problem is not conducive to a good quality of life for the social group affected. This would activate their participation in order to achieve an effective solution to this socio-environmental problem.