Climate Change, Soils, and Human Health

Dr. Eric C. BrevikDickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND, USA

Soils are important for human health• Production of food• Exposures to harmful chemicals• Disease-causing organisms• Filter for water• Medications– About 40% of prescription drugs have

their origin in soil

Soils are linked to the atmosphere

• Changes in atmospheric carbon affects soils• Changes in temperature/precipitation affect soils

Climate change, soils, and human health

• Indirect effects– Increased deaths related to temperature extremes– Increased tropospheric ozone concentrations

leading to respiratory problems– Increased range for vectors

Climate change, soils, and human health

• Direct effects– Changes in soil properties due to climate change

could influence nutrient cycling and the carbon cycle, compromising food security

– Atmospheric dust generated from soil is expected to increase with climate change