Lecture 32 Climate change Flashcards
What is important about climate change
It is not just a environmental problem but a health problem, and it is the greatest opportunity for global health
What are the criterias in the royal review of NZ health impacts
Air, food, water, temperature, disease, disruption of community networks, mental health impacts, shelter
What does it mean where climate change is a risk multiplier?
It exemplifies risks already existing, especially for those already deprived (loss of assets, vulnerability to climate hazards, multidimensional inequality)
What are climate tipping elements?
Feedback loops which result in the continual worsening of climate change.
What is the global trend for emissions?
Emissions are not yet decreasing but may have leveled off
What are NZ’s biggest emission sources?
50% he agriculture sector (no carbon policies), 18% the transport sector
What are planetary boundaries?
The ecological limits we need to live within on this planet, (biodiversity loss, nitrogen, chemical/plastic pollution well beyond boundaries)
What is Raworths doughnut framework?
It is a guide for sustainablity. We need to efficiently use some planetary resources to maintain public health. If we use too much, we’ll overshoot the planetary boundaries
How does food and climate change have in common?
Plant based foods have much lower emissions, has more efficient land use and less water use/pollution. Vegan diets are also very good for health gains, it is even better in terms of health gains compared to the dietary guideline. However, changes take time
What is the relationship between a climate based diet and biodiversity benefits?
Because food production competes for land with native forests, switching to a plant based diet results in land being freed up which means more land for native forests
What is the relationship between warm, energy efficient housing and climate change?
- NZ has lots of damp houses, but changing to a energy efficient housing (passive houses) reduces respiratory illnesses in children
- Benefits of a compact cities. Financial benefit (more cheap housing) for apartments. Need to intensify amenities around intensities where people are living
What is the benefits in terms of transport and emissions?
Shifting to walking/biking reduces CO2 emissions and also increases physical activity. This is why we need to deliberately plan for better cities which would result in more physical transport.
What are the benefits of climate change in terms of clean healthy air
There are lots of deaths made from human made air pollution, so improving climate will also save lives
Why are electric vehicles not the answer RAHHH
Emissions (reduced), No change for urban sprawl, physical activity, road traffic injuries, air quality (reduced) and equity (EVs are expensive so improved air quality only in expensive neighborhoods)
How is Aotearoa doing?
We agreed to the paris climate agreement, zero carbon act, climate change commission, auckland climate plan, auckland transport emissions, sustainable access for a thriving future
