Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3905

Faculty/Instructor

Donna Mercado

About the Author

My name is Jada Melendez, and I am a student at the University of Central Florida majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Studio Art. My academic interests center around public health, environmental justice, and equity for marginalized communities. This project reflects my commitment to highlighting community-driven solutions and deepening awareness of structural issues affecting Puerto Rico. I would like to thank my instructors, the U-LEAD team, and the grassroots leaders in Borikén whose work toward food sovereignty continues to inspire me.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

This project examines how Puerto Rico’s agricultural system has been shaped by historical colonization, economic policy, and climate change. Once largely self-sustaining, the island now imports more than 85 percent of its food, creating major vulnerabilities during natural disasters and economic disruptions. My research analyzes four key systems of injustice political, economic, social, and environmental and how they intersect to impact food sovereignty. The project also highlights grassroots solutions such as agroecology education, land protection, and investment in sustainable infrastructure. Through this work, I developed a deeper understanding of how colonial legacies continue to affect food systems today and how local resilience efforts offer meaningful pathways toward justice.

Keywords

climate justice; food systems; sustainability; community empowerment; land access; Caribbean studies; Latinx communities; environmental justice; agriculture; leadership; social change

Download

Share

COinS
 
Spring Jan 1st, 12:00 AM

Rooted in Resistance, Growing in Boriken: The Fight for Climate and Agricultural Justice in Puerto Rico

This project examines how Puerto Rico’s agricultural system has been shaped by historical colonization, economic policy, and climate change. Once largely self-sustaining, the island now imports more than 85 percent of its food, creating major vulnerabilities during natural disasters and economic disruptions. My research analyzes four key systems of injustice political, economic, social, and environmental and how they intersect to impact food sovereignty. The project also highlights grassroots solutions such as agroecology education, land protection, and investment in sustainable infrastructure. Through this work, I developed a deeper understanding of how colonial legacies continue to affect food systems today and how local resilience efforts offer meaningful pathways toward justice.