Oh Crop! A Podcast about Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Food Systems

photo of child holding green vegetables

By Kat Morgan

As a first-year Master of Public Health Candidate in Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University, I've been focusing on climate change, food systems, and environmental justice. I'm particularly interested in creating change through climate and justice-centered food systems, and that's why I developed Oh Crop!: a Public Health Podcast that uses storytelling to engage the public health community.

Through this project, I aim to promote environmental justice paradigms in public health practice to achieve health equity and sustainable, health-promoting food systems. In episode one, I provide background information and theory, and in episode two, I interview celebrity food writer and activist Mark Bittman. The project also includes a deliverable outlining theory and a PowerPoint presentation. I chose podcasting because I believe that narrative storytelling can make complex public health problems easier to understand and aid in community-based work.

It's essential for public health leaders to take a multifaceted approach to research and practice, incorporating awareness of climate change impact pathways on the food system from an environmental justice perspective. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events caused by climate change are already impacting public health, and food production and distribution are linked to climate change and often contribute to health disparities, especially for marginalized communities who lack access to healthy and sustainable food. Environmental injustice is further perpetuated through unequal food systems. However, there are mitigation opportunities that involve addressing environmental injustice drivers and utilizing mechanisms for public health advocacy and change-making.

Through Oh Crop!, my hope is to leave listeners with a robust understanding of these issues, with the take-home message that climate change and food systems are important factors in determining population health equity.

So, what's my call to action for the public health community? One key step is promoting sustainable and healthy food systems that prioritize human and environmental health. This means ensuring that everyone has access to fresh, nutritious food, regardless of their socioeconomic status or where they live. But it also means addressing the systemic inequalities that perpetuate health disparities in the first place. By working together to create more equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities, we can make sure everyone has the chance to thrive.

If you would like to listen, the show page and episodes are live on Anchor. You can also reference the accompanying slideshow presentation and the Episode 1 show deliverable.

Do you have questions or comments? Email kmp2204@cumc.columbia.edu