Health Promotion & Policy 590F - FoodInsecr,ClimCh,&WmnResilnce

Climate change, extractive economies of scale, and population shifts are compounding the collapse of biocultural diversity around the world. Rural communities in developing countries are increasingly vulnerable: the loss of natural resources upon which these communities rely so closely, and the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge are threatening their food and water security. This course will take a multi-disciplinary approach to this topic, with a focus on the importance of mainstreaming gender. The health, security, and resilience of women and children are disproportionately affected by the risks posed by climate change, natural disasters, and the degradation of natural resources. Rather than just telling a tale of doom and gloom, however, we would devote attention to ways communities, and particularly women at the grassroots level, are crafting powerful actions and alliances, and innovative solutions in the face of challenges. Tools and methodologies that can be applied in fieldwork, especially participatory learning and participatory media, will be explored. The course is of value to students interested in the intersection of health, development, gender, climate change and natural resource management.