User:Shae Chand/The Impact of Climate Change on the Agricultural Industry

= The Impact of Climate Change on the Agricultural Industry = The definition of climate change varies depending on health, environment, and agribusiness. Climate change has had a major influence on environmental conditions like the drought, global warming, and crop production. Its influence has been directly harming food production and human health. It is important to take the short term effects of climate change into account in order to prevent devastating long term events.

Health & Agribusiness
Health effects are a common factor of climate change. Health is referred to as a collection of an individual's physical, mental and emotional state. It is important to keep all three of these areas balanced as it is directly related to maintaining a productive lifestyle. Additionally, it ensures that the body functions properly in relation to organs and different bodily systems. Climate change targets sensitive groups and makes them more vulnerable to illness. For instance individuals 65 years of age or older are linked to increased heart and lung disorders, immune system reactions, allergies, and mental illnesses (Hwong, Alison R.). Additionally, climate change also has a direct reaction to increasing blood pressure and blood clotting mechanisms because increased external temperature excites the body's internal temperature causing faster breaths and harder work for the heart (Hwong, Alison R.). In some areas climate change is not as destructive as others. In the central valley, residents have faced large storms, flooding, droughts and intense heat waves. Experiencing such events can cause emotional distress. These factors can result in serious mental health issues and lead to anxiety, depression and even suicidal behavior (Davidson, Debra J., and Maik Kecinski.).

Physical health is also degraded with climate change. Working indoors is not as harmful as working outdoors. There is a greater risk working outdoors since injury is more common. Working under high stress conditions can increase muscle tension, dehydration or chronic illnesses. Additionally, working outdoors with the harmful impacts of climate change can only be sustained for short periods of time. Working efficiently under such conditions is not ideal. Farmers are an example of workers who work long hours in the heat. They deal with harsh pesticides, toxic chemicals and polluted air on a daily basis. Needless to say, the chronic stress placed on farming communities in the central valley has led to multiple physical problems.

Environment & Agribusiness
Climate change has been a major contributor to degradation of the environment. In the central valley, increase in temperature has threatened a greater wildfire season. Wildfires are most abundant in dry vegetation areas. According to The California Departments of Forestry and Fire Protection, statistics collected greatly illustrate the increase in wildfires and number of acres burned. In 2011 the max number of acres burned was 51,889. Fast-forwards to 2020 there was around 1,458,881 acres burned just in California alone. In just 9 years there has been an increase of over 1.4 million acres (Porter, Thomas W., Wade Crowfoot, and Gavin Newsom). Due to already poor environmental conditions, wildfires have been on the rise. Wildfires directly add to the already present carbon footprint with the release of greenhouse gas emissions. The two main emissions are carbon dioxide and methane. These gasses impact air quality and create a ground level ozone which prevents the presence of cool temperatures. As a result, climate change and global warming is expected.

A major factor of devastating wildfires are drought conditions. As mentioned before, the drought has directly contributed to visibly dry vegetation and drastically lowered water levels in the central valley and throughout the state of California. While these drought factors may seem minor to current California residents, long term effects can be devastating: A shortage and poor quality drinking water, along with increase in diseases from poor hygiene and sanitation degrades the public health standard. The droughts impact the environment and also negativity impacts livestock. The drought has a direct correlation to negatively affecting nutritional sources and increasing disease among livestock. Studies have shown a lower quality of milk production due to heat stress among animals and decreased hydration sources (Passioura, John). Because of increased heat from climate change, there has also been a disruption in crop yield. Reduced agricultural productivity impacts food quality and quantity. As a result, there has been an increase in price on certain products that are not keeping up with customer demand.

Overall, Climate change has directly impacted individual wellness and surroundings. It is important to take action to stop climate change from growing in order to preserve the atmosphere and create a healthier environment.