Water, Biogeography, and Food

1. Water, Biogeography, and Food • Finish Global Climate Change • Water Resources • Biogeography • Food Resources • Introduction to King Corn For Next Class: Read background on King Corn at http://www.kingcorn.net/

3. El Niño-Southern Oscillation North Atlantic Oscillation Late 1970s Climate Shift Pacific Decadal Oscillation “Decadal variations in teleconnections considerably complicate the interpretation of climate change. Since the TAR, it has become clear that a small number of teleconnection patterns account for much of the seasonal to interannual variability in the extratropics” (Trenberth et al. 2007, Chapter 3 of IPCC Physical Science Basis).

4. Ocean and Freshwater Distribution Figure 7.3

5. If total global water supply was 100 liters, then: • 3 liters = freshwater • 0.003 liters (~1/2 teaspoon) readily available to humans • Water Stress: term that identifies greatest water resource problems Water Resources

6. Global Water Stress Figure 2.18

7. Four Areas of Concern • Water scarcity (e.g., limited availability) • Water sanitation (e.g., polluted water) • Water access (e.g., distance, time, cost) • Water resource management (e.g., conflict, borders, and inefficencies)

8. Bioregions (Closely resemble climate regions) Figure 2.20

9. Examples of Bioregions – Forests Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Forest Figure 2.21 Figure 2.24

10. Deserts and Steppes Desertification in Marginal Lands Figure 2.23

11. What the World Eats http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519_1373664,00.html http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1645016,00.html

12. Food and Agriculture 1. How do you choose what you eat? Cost? Quality? Production Methods? Where it was produced? 2. What is the difference between industrial and subsistence agriculture?

13. Industrial Subsistence Industrial vs. Subsistence Agriculture

14. Increases in food production • Since 1950s • New agricultural techniques • Chemical fertilizers and pesticides Green Revolution Figure 2.26 Planting Rice in the Rishi Valley of Andhra Pradesh state in India

15. First Stage: Three processes • Traditional mixed crops  monocrops • Increase intensity • Water, fertilizer, and pesticides • Reduce fallow time between seasonal crops • Second Stage: Since 1970s • New crops  bred for tropical and subtropical climates • Multiple crops in one parcel Green Revolution (cont’d)

16. Environmental Costs • Fossil Fuel Use • Habitat Fragmentation/Damage • Pollution: Water and Air • Social • Financial Costs • Social Inequalities Increased Food Production Figure 2.27 Cattle Ranching in Western Brazil

17. Food supply • Local and regional issues • Politicized food distribution Globalization and Food Production • Changing dietary preferences • Two regions of concern • Africa • South Asia

18. Global Food Problems and Projections • It is in fact local and regional problems that often keep people from obtaining food! • Political problems are usually more important than natural events (drought/flooding). • Food security in Africa and South Asia are of particular concern. • Africa was self-sufficient in food until 1970!

19. King Corn http://www.kingcorn.net/