Climate Change, Health and Nutrition – Educate, Engage and Activate
The environment, climate change and the foods people consume are factors that impact health and nutritional well-being.
Speaking on this week’s episode of ECCB Connects, Associate Dean at the Florida International University, Dr Cheryl Holder, explains how these issues are connected and offers solutions to help people preserve their health. Holder also expressed the belief that better agricultural practices will result in the best outcomes.
Dr Holder says, according to a 2015 report on the worldwide impact of agriculture, the Caribbean region, which is heavily dependent upon importation, is now adversely affected as a result of a marked decrease in production. She notes that agriculture accounts for over 54.0 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gasses, resulting in the increasing pollution of the atmosphere and planet. With respect to the food supply, she says the entire population of fish, animals, livestock and humans, live within a certain temperature, and as sea level temperatures continue to rise, this creates a negative impact on the environment and subsequently on the health of the population.
Dr Holder emphasises that every climate solution is a health solution, and to address the many social determinants prevalent within the region, the implementation of policy in relation to these issues, is critical at both the national and regional levels. She calls on health professionals to educate and motivate citizens and policymakers.
To view the full discussion, log on to the ECCB’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page: ECCB Connects.
