Oh Crop! A Public Health Podcast

In this episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan is joined by renowned author, filmmaker, and academic Raj Patel.  Raj Patel, known as the 'rock star of social justice writing,' shares insights drawn from his extensive work, including his seminal books 'Stuffed and Starved' and ‘Inflamed.’ From critiquing prescriptive NGOs to advocating for grassroots democracy and equitable access to nutritious options, the episode explores pressing issues facing global food systems. The conversation underscores the importance of incorporating environmental justice paradigms into public health practice to achieve health equity and sustainable food systems.

Welcome to Oh Crop, where we dig deep into the connections between Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and Food Systems. Join me, Kat Morgan, as I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Lew Ziska, associate professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. We'll explore the dynamic relationships between climate change, plant biology, and public health, shedding light on issues of food security, nutrition, pesticides, and environmental justice.

In this episode of "Oh Crop," host Kat Morgan engages Dr. Mark Plotkin, an esteemed ethnobotanist, in a profound conversation about the vital role of indigenous wisdom in environmental conservation. They explore how environmental justice intersects with indigenous knowledge and the urgent need for collaboration between Western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and finally, Mark offers guidance to aspiring environmental justice advocates and researchers.

Dr. Mark Plotkin's impressive background includes roles at prestigious institutions and conservation organizations, and he currently serves as the President of the Amazon Conservation Team, a nonprofit he co-founded with his wife Liliana Madrigal in 1996 to promote environmental conservation and awareness.

This episode explores the journey of a guest who is passionate about promoting healthy diets, equity, and sustainability in food systems. Alejandra Schrader is an award-winning author, food systems champion, plant-based nutrition certified chef, and activist based in Los Angeles, CA. We discuss the role of plant-based diets in public health and environmental justice and ways to engage communities with limited access to nutritious food and inspire positive action.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, a member of the Hopi Tribe, discusses the challenges Indigenous communities face regarding their food systems due to climate change. He emphasizes the importance of traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices in building resilience and sustainability in food systems. His expertise and work underscore the urgency of supporting Indigenous communities in their efforts to combat climate change and protect their cultural heritage.

Episode 1 covers Background, Theory, and Tools to understand the interconnections between climate change, food systems, and environmental justice. 

This episode discusses:

• Climate change, environmental justice, and food systems are all closely tied to public health.
• Climate change is causing rising temperatures and more extreme weather events, which can lead to health problems. It's also changing how we produce and distribute food, which is a major contributor to climate change.
• Unfortunately, marginalized communities often face limited access to healthy and sustainable food options, which can lead to health disparities. The way we grow and distribute food causes environmental injustice, especially for marginalized communities who are often left out of global food supply chains or exploited within them.
• Mitigation opportunities, including covering the drivers of environmental injustice and mechanisms to use in public health advocacy and change-making. 

In Episode 2, I'm thrilled to share a conversation with Mark Bittman about his work as a New York Times editor, bestselling author,  food justice advocate, and lecturer at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

We chat about the following: 

1. Exploring the nexus between climate change, agriculture, nutrition, and health.
2. Considering ontological shifts such as heightened ecological and philosophical awareness of Earth’s finite resources and land distribution.
3. Tips for public health practitioners who want to navigate different food system sectors.
4. Considerations for food systems transformation and advocacy work.