Michael Puma
Puma, an associate research scientist at NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, is using his Center for Climate and Life funding to apply advances in network analysis to better understand the global food system and mitigate potential food-system disruptions.
To do so, he works closely with a broad range of stakeholders involved in the global food system, including farmers, industry, non-governmental organizations, and governments to address how society can reduce the vulnerability of the global food system to climate-related shocks.
“On the surface, globalization of our food system balances supply and demand across different regions, provides protection against regional disturbances, and leads to a more efficient global system,” Puma said. “However, experience with other interconnected systems like the financial sector demonstrates that seemingly minor disruptions could spread rapidly, with disastrous consequences.”