Today I pick up the linguist’s staff and say “Agoo!” This is a call for attention in my native Akan; please lend me your attention as I share with you a new way to think about environmental issues. In the rituals and ceremonies of many indigenous and traditional cosmologies, the Earth is depicted as a nurturing mother that provides sustenance. As reverence for the Earth and its vital role in our welfare anchors the commemoration of Earth Day throughout April, we spotlight how the environment links to our health and well-being, and reflect on how as stakeholders we must protect the planet's resources and ecosystems.
There’s no doubt that climate change poses a significant threat: witness the devastating effects of recent tornadoes in Missouri, the Midwest and the Northeast. But I want to draw your attention to an innovative strategy called geospatial thinking, which studies the spatial relationships between objects, events and patterns on the earth's surface.
Like many public health problems, the impacts of climate change are spatially patterned: certain regions and population groups are more vulnerable than others. It’s generally acknowledged that societies and nations in the global West are better prepared for the effects of climate change, relative to those in "developing" or resource-constrained countries. Nonetheless, even within Western countries some groups and societies, particularly indigenous communities, visible minorities, gender and sexual minorities, children, women, persons with disabilities, and older adults are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change, due to their socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities.
A geospatial approach can reveal the complexities of climate change and help us understand its wider impacts. For instance, rising temperatures and excessive rainfall increase food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable populations, especially children, in the Sub-Saharan African region. Yet this general knowledge does not offer meaningful insight into how different climate conditions may exacerbate malnutrition in the context of local socioeconomic and geographical conditions.
In a study conducted in Uganda, my colleagues and I observed spatial differences in the effect of excessive rainfall and temperature on stunted growth (a robust indicator of childhood malnutrition) among children under the age of five years. Our results suggest that some areas in the country were more sensitive to climatic anomalies compared to other areas.
Investing in geospatial science can help identify areas that are vulnerable to the rising sea levels, extreme weather and increased temperatures of climate change. By analyzing spatial data, scientists can identify regions that are most at risk, and develop targeted adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce adverse impacts on these vulnerable areas.
Furthermore, investing in geospatial science can help promote environmental equity. By analyzing spatial data on environmental factors such as air quality, water quality, and access to green spaces, scientists can identify areas that are most at risk of experiencing environmental injustice, and develop policies and strategies to reduce inequities and improve the health of communities.
We can describe our current era with Dickens’ famous quote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ...” Despite the detrimental effects of climate change-induced public health problems, we have new tools and methods to help address them, and geospatial science can play a critical role in protecting our planet. Geographical thinking in our approach to climate change can help us devise targeted strategies and create more equitable societies. Together, we can work toward a more sustainable future for our planet and generations to come.
Prince Michael Amegbor, MPhil, PhD
Assistant Professor of Global Health