Project Team

Dr. Christopher Still, Geography

Dr. Stuart Sweeney, Geography

Robyn Clark, PhD Student, Geography

Carlos Baez

Alex Samarin

Research Objectives

to educate UCSB undergraduates about the extent to which their diet is dependent on fossil fuels, and about the scientific issues pertaining to sustainable cuisine and agriculture.

Where’s Waldo (Zea mays)• Starch• Glucose• Maltodextrin• Fructose• Ascorbic acid• Lecithin• Dextrose• Lactic acid• Lysine• Maltose• MSG• Polyols• Xantham gum• Caramel color• HFCS!

Image: Natalie Dee.

Research Component One

• analyze carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition of hair samples

• quantify the percentage of dietary intake of corn and corn-based food products, and the proportion of animal protein

• assess how much of the average undergraduate diet is derived from non-local industrial agriculture

Research Component Two

• isotopic analysis of bottled water to determine the geographic source region of the water

• quantify the carbon released and the energy consumed to transport the water from its source to the campus

Image: Brett Weinstein.

Spatial Variations in Water Isotopes

Image: Purdue University.

Education/Outreach Components

• GEOG 109 – Economic Geography

• Website (interactive)

• Labeling

• Colloquium

Questions?

Image: Commonwealth of Kentucky.