1 of 21

Farmstand Business Curriculum

Lesson 7: Food, Farming, and Climate Change

2 of 21

Warm-up

What is one word that comes to mind when you hear the term ‘climate change’?

3 of 21

Lesson Outline

What is climate change?
How will climate change impact New York City?
How will climate change impact our food system?

4 of 21

What is climate change?

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions lead to increased global temperatures
Most significant GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2) - from burning fossil fuels such as coal

4

5 of 21

What is climate change?

Shifts in atmospheric conditions, temperature, water systems, and weather systems
Impacts include increased -

Natural disasters: Droughts, floods, cyclones, wildfires
Land damage
Heat waves and hot days
Climate migration
Political instability
Global health issues

6 of 21

Who does climate change impact?

Climate change disproportionately impacts low-income communities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, seniors, and children
As climate change impacts intensify, those who already experience systemic oppression will be further burdened

Climate change is also a symptom of colonization. Before colonization, Indigenous communities lived in mutual respect with the land, with deep tradition and stewardship informed by generations of knowledge. Colonizers took away Indigenous land stewards from their homes and enforced an abusive dynamic onto the land, one that takes as much as it can from the land without holding respect for it. Colonizers shifted the dynamic between humans and the Earth to an extractive relationship of power and domination. Climate change disproportionately impacts low-income communities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, seniors, and children. Those who already experience systemic oppression will be further burdened by the effects of climate change in our current system. In order to address the climate crisis, we must know how it will affect us.

7 of 21

How will climate change impact our food system?

“The climate crisis is a crisis of natural disasters, of floods and storms and heat waves. But it also directly leads to a food security crisis. It makes it much harder to feed people.” �- U.S. Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield

8 of 21

Activity One

For the following scenarios, consider these three questions:

How do you think your climate scenario will affect growing food in NYC?
How do you think your climate scenario will impact food access across NYC?
Are there certain parts of NYC that will be affected more? Why do you think that is?

9 of 21

Scenario One: Extreme Heat

10 of 21

Scenario Two: Precipitation Increase

11 of 21

Scenario Three: Sea Level Rise

12 of 21

Scenario Four: Wildfires and Air Quality

13 of 21

Activity Two:

Responding to Climate Change

14 of 21

Share Out:

Group One - Seed Keeping

15 of 21

Share Out:

Group Two - No-till Farming

16 of 21

Share Out:

Group Three - Rainwater Catchment

17 of 21

Share Out:

Group Four - Solar Energy

18 of 21

Share Out:

Group Five - Native Plants

19 of 21

Share Out:

Group Six - Permaculture

20 of 21

Reflection Questions

What climate-conscious practices do we want to incorporate into our farm business plan? Consider what resources are accessible to you and what time/space allows.

21 of 21

Questions?