tina hoover, mph, rd, ld nanna cross, phd, rd, ldn

Tina Hoover, MPH, RD , LDNanna Cross, PhD, RD, LDN

What impact does weather have on 1. Food availability and choice?

2. Nutrition and health of affected populations?

Food for Thought

According to Siikamaki, (2006) “Agriculture is frequently discussed in the context of climate change: not only is agriculture vulnerable to climate change, it is also part of the problem and its potential solutions.”

-Siikamaki, Juha. (2006). Climate Change and U.S. Agriculture. Examining the Connections. Environment, pg(s). 36-49.

Ebi, K.L. et. al. (2006). Environmental Health Perspectives. 114:1318-1324.

What are the current environmental stresses and issues that form the backdrop for potential additional impacts of climate variability and change?

Definitions

Climate Climate variability Climate change Adaptation Adaptive Capacity

Define Climate

Average state of atmosphere and underlying land or water in a particular region over a specific time period

Define climate variability Variation around the mean

climate Seasonal variations Irregular events –-El Nino

Define climate change

Change occurs over decades or longer Occurs as result of natural variability within climate systems

Caused by human factors

Define Adaptation

Strategies, policies and measures undertaken to reduce potential adverse health effects

Define Adaptive Capacity

General ability of institutions, systems, and individuals to: adjust to potential damages take advantage of opportunities

cope with the consequences

Health Outcome Categories

Temperature related morbidity & mortality

Extreme weather eventsAir pollutionWater & food borne diseasesVector and rodent-borne

diseases

Impact of climate change on human health

Which three groups of individuals are most vulnerable to adverse impacts of changing climate?

Temperature related Morbidity & Mortality

Which geographic region is at highest risk?

Which socioeconomic factors increase the risk?

Extreme Weather Events

Give six examples of extreme weather events?

Give examples of physical and mental health outcomes in response to extreme weather?

Air Pollution

Give three examples of air pollution as a result of climate change and variability

Water & Food-Borne Diseases

Excessive precipitationmay exceed capacity for treating waste water and sewage (sewage overflow)

Vector & Rodent-Borne Disease

Mosquito borne illness (West Nile virus)

Ticks – Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease

Rodents - hantavirus

Does the US have the capacity to adapt to extremes in weather to prevent negative health outcomes?

How May Ecological ChangesAffect Agriculture/Food Production?

Heat Stress w/ rising temps– crops, livestock

Increased pests, disease, weeds Some crops more sensitive to rising

temps (tomatoes– e.g.) Altered Food Webs (e.g. polluted

waters- marine food webs)

Drought/Flooding: (extreme weather events)Soil moisture/erosion, evaporation

Water pollution (i.e. agricultural run-off)

Pollution levels (soil & H20) Increased pests, disease, weeds Altered Food Webs (e.g. polluted

waters- marine food webs)

Short-Term Effects of Climate Change

on Agriculture Some crops– may improve growing conditions

- however, with continued temp increase (esp. Southern regions) some crops may not adapt.

- Northern regions may benefit most (since tend to be cooler.) e.g. longer growing season opportunity.

-- Possible to grow new crops/different crops.

Long Term Effects & Climate Change

Long-term effects of climate change are not fully understood.

Difficult to predict.

How Modern Agriculture Impacts the Climate

GHG emissions (burning of fossil fuels, manure, food transportation– e.g.)

Significant user of H20 resources. Significant user of land resources. Livestock– methane emissions, sig user of

H20 and grain. Factory Farming- e.g. (produce large

amount of GHG)

Are there Alternative Solutions/Opportunities?

GMO’s– e.g. resistant to drought/flooding

Increase irrigation efficiency Agriculture & Forests = GHG “sinks” Methane capture “tanks” Improved fertilization practices– e.g.

timing Focus on locally produced foods– e.g.

Farmers Markets

References

Backlund, P., Janetos, A., and Schimel, D.

Executive Summary: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity, pages 1-10.

-Retrieved from: http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/files/CCSPFinalReport.pdf

Ebi, KL, Mills, D.M., Smith, J.B., Grambsch, A. (2006)

Climate change and human health impacts in the United States: An update on the results of the U.S. National Assessment. Environmental Health Perspectives. 114:1318-1324.

References

Interdependent Working Group on Climate Change. (2008). Climate Change and Food Security. A Framework Document. Summary. Rome: Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (FAO). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/k2595e/k2595e00.htm

Siikamaki, J. (2006). Climate Change and U.S. Agriculture: Examining the Connections. Environment, pgs. 36-49.