World Weather, Climate, and Society Projects |
Auckland, New Zealand Melissa Crawford, Bryan Gattis, Mary Hill Weather, Climate, and Society in New Zealand Spanning from 34 degrees south to 47 degrees south latitude allows for many different climate conditions on the North Island than on the South Island, and on the west coast than on the east coast. With the Southern Alps running down the length of the South Island, rainfall tends to occur much more frequently on the west coast (windward) than on the east coast (leeward), so that the east coast is mostly dry, and much of the west coast is rain forest. New Zealand gets some of the most extreme weather on earth (mostly on the north island). Tropical cyclones and hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, floods, storm surges, volcanoes, hail, landslides, thunderstorms and lightning are typical occurrences. Most of these weather related hazards are due to a weak El Nino which warms the South Pacific Ocean and has over history created many problems for New Zealand because the hydropogenic cycle is sped up around the two islands. If the global temperature continues to rise, extreme weather will be far more common in the future. We tracked the weather in Auckland, New Zealand over the ten-week period from September 19 to November 27 of this year (2004). This span of time falls under the spring season for New Zealand. As the graph above shows, Auckland had many rainy days during this time period, which is typical for the region. The total rainfall for the month of October was 96mm, which is just above average. Temperatures throughout the ten weeks didn’t vary widely. The average temperature was 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The minimum temperature during this time was 41 degrees and it occurred on September 30. The maximum temperature was 71 degrees and it occurred on both November 9 and November 14. This graph is very representative of New Zealand’s temperate maritime climate. We looked in depth at several aspects of society in New Zealand and the ways weather and climate influence these. The specific areas that we researched include agriculture, health issues, and traditional Maori culture. The following documents discuss our findings. A Look at New Zealand Agriculture Animal farms aren’t the only widespread economy drivers in New Zealand. In addition to animal farms, New Zealand is also rich with tree farms. This way they can harvest trees for lumber without touching the indigenous forests, most of which are protected indefinitely, like the huge rainforest on the western side of the south island. 30 percent of New Zealand is covered in forest, including both natural and "planted production" forests. This is a large and seemingly healthy percentage relative to most other countries in the world. Since the problem of an “enhanced greenhouse effect” (Issues and Responses, 1) is world wide (mainly because of excess carbon dioxide), this density of forests in New Zealand actually contributes to mitigating the problem. The forests do this by absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air and releasing oxygen, the exact opposite of what humans do. New Zealand is aware of the danger of excess carbon dioxide in the air and knows that if most of its forests are kept undisturbed, they will help create “carbon ‘sinks’”(Issues and Responses, 3), or areas in which excess carbon dioxide in the air will become absorbed. This process in turn helps regulate the greenhouse effect to prevent global warming which people fear threatens the world. It seems that there is no doubt in anyone's mind now that the global climate is changing, and that anthropogenic output is the culprit. Though there is no clear evidence of this, most people believe it to be true. Unfortunately, New Zealand contributes to the problem of the drastically changing climate. Though New Zealand may be a relatively small country, and an isolated one at that, it still releases a considerable amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the agriculture industry is the main contributor. Methane and nitrous oxide are the primary emissions that are produced through the country's agricultural processes. The methane comes mainly from the many cows, goats and sheep known as ruminant livestock. The methane gas builds up in the stomachs of these animals and is let out of the mouth and nostrils and floats into the atmosphere. Since there is so much livestock in New Zealand, these methane emissions can reach surprisingly high levels. Nitrous oxide emissions are another problem and they come mostly from the natural processes of production at the farms like the nitrification and denitrification in the soil. Fertilizer and animal waste which are used plentifully on farms are also contributors. Until there are advances in farming techniques, or advances in agriculture in general, it doesn’t look like New Zealand will be able to do much to lessen the greenhouse gas emissions that it puts out. We now know how agriculture in New Zealand has contributed to climate change, but how in turn does the climate change affect New Zealand's agricultural industry? Though the global temperature has clearly been on the rise over the passed century or two, it is still not clear whether this will eventually result in crippling the agriculture industry in New Zealand, or whether warmer whether will be better for agriculture. It is true that if more and more greenhouse gases are expelled, the global temperature would increase (more at the poles where New Zealand isn't too far from). With a higher global temperature, this would mean the seas would be warmer which would produce more “extreme weather” (Issues and Responses, 1) for New Zealand to deal with, because of a sped up hydropogenic cycle. New Zealand's agriculture would have to deal with localized flooding, droughts, high winds and vicious storms. In turn this would make for an environment more prone to disease and pest issues which is every farm’s worst nightmare. This means that the livestock which is so important to New Zealand's economy could face starvation, drowning or fatal diseases while the forests could be either deprived of water, flooded, destroyed in storms, or ravaged by a pest infestation. There wouldn’t likely be any noticeable problems like these within the next decade, but perhaps within the next century. If the New Zealand climate did eventually become this extreme, the people there would sadly need to focus their economy on something other than agriculture. On the other hand, many people think a warmer climate means that regions in New Zealand that are now too cold to grow crops or raise animals might later become farmable. Also, with a warmer climate, some people think that certain vegetation that otherwise could not be grown in parts of New Zealand, might later be able to. Also, more carbon dioxide in the air might actually assist the overall growth of some vegetation. Whether the positive aspects of a warmer climate will prevail over the negative aspects remains to be seen, but it will certainly have an impact on agriculture in New Zealand and elsewhere. Humans have never been in this situation before so it will be something that we surely will find out in the future unless something is done to regulate the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. Bibliography Jebson, Mike. “Climate Change and Agriculture and Forestry: Issues and Responses”
How Weather and Climate Impact Health in New Zealand Weather can affect human health in a variety of ways. For New Zealand, some of the specific health issues that are linked to weather and climate include melanoma skin cancer, weather-sensitive rheumatism, asthma, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and stress in farmers caused by weather extremes. Several studies have been done in New Zealand investigating the link between particular health problems and the weather. There are limitations to such studies, including the obstacle of trying to isolate cause and effect, but it is clear that weather and health correlations do exist. Lying on a New Zealand beach and basking in the warm sun sure sounds appealing, but there are health risks involved. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer and eye diseases, and this is a significant issue in New Zealand. Malignant melanoma is one of the most serious types of skin cancer, and New Zealand has the second highest rate of melanoma in the world. Only Australia has a higher rate, which seems to imply that this region is particularly susceptible to harmful UV radiation.1 One cause for this may be the depletion of stratospheric ozone, which acts as a shield for earth’s surface against this radiation. Decrease in the levels of ozone has been an issue around the world, but the southern hemisphere has generally been more strongly affected. Ozone monitoring in New Zealand shows that the concentration of ozone has declined 5-7 percent over the last 30 years. During this same period of time, the skin-damaging solar radiation has increased approximately 6-9 percent.2 Fortunately, due to international government actions such as the Montreal Protocol, restrictions are in place against the use of ozone-depleting substances. But the damage that has been done to the ozone continues to be a factor in health issues related to UV radiation, such as melanoma. Because melanoma is a serious health concern in New Zealand, research has been done exploring the malignancy. One specific study looked at the occurrence of melanoma throughout New Zealand. They found that the highest rates generally occurred on the North Island, while there tended to be lower rates on the South Island. Although the rates of melanoma didn’t correspond precisely with the hours of sunlight that an area has, there was some relation between these two. Southland, the southernmost region of New Zealand, has the least sunshine and was found to have the lowest rate of melanoma. The study also found that the rate of melanoma in men was significantly higher than that in women, and that the rate of melanoma increased with age.1 Another health problem that is sensitive to the weather is rheumatism. It has been said that people with arthritis can tell a storm is coming because of the pain they feel in their joints. In New Zealand, the frequent weather changes can cause increased pain in rheumatology patients. It is not known conclusively what causes this heightened pain, but there are several theories. One idea is that when there is a significant decrease in atmospheric pressure, the mechanoreceptors in damaged joints become irritated. This could explain why some patients report intensified pain prior to storms, since pressure drops rapidly before storms. Another theory has to do with various expansions and contractions of muscles and tendons caused by atmospheric changes. Whatever the reason, it seems clear that changes in the weather do affect a number of rheumatology patients.4 In 2003, the rheumatology department of Middlemore Hospital in New Zealand and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) combined their efforts in a study on weather-sensitivity in rheumatology patients. They asked 200 patients to complete a questionnaire-based survey on weather and pain. Of those that participated (137 people), 74% reported that weather did in fact affect their pain. Damp and rainy conditions as well as cold weather were the two most common responses to the question of what conditions affect their pain the most. Of those who reported weather sensitivity, 82% said that winter was the season when their pain was the worse.4 This makes sense since not only is cold weather a factor in the winter, but on the North Island (where this study took place), winter is also the season with the highest rainfall. The difference is significant too, with winter having nearly twice as much rain as summer. With the cold weather and frequent storms, it’s not surprising that most patients report worsened pain in the winter. Along with weather and climate playing a role in a number of physical infirmities in New Zealand, it can also have an influence on mental health. It has been shown that weather can impact people’s mood and emotions. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common mood disorder in which people experience depression brought on by lack of sunlight. In New Zealand, the long periods of rain can sometimes affect people in this way. During the winter of 2002, there was about a 40-day period of consistent rain in some parts of New Zealand. During this time hospitals received more visits from people suffering from depression, and the news reported an overall gloomy feeling among the people.6 Stress is another mental health issue that can be related to the weather, especially when it comes to farming. New Zealand has a large agricultural industry, which means that many farmers make a living there. Farmers rely heavily on the weather to produce their crops and raise their livestock. The amount of rainfall in a year and the occurrence of extreme weather events can affect a farmer’s entire livelihood. No doubt some stress comes along with this kind of weather dependence. One characteristic of the climate in New Zealand is that it can have periods of heavy rainfall as well as dry spells. This can lead to both floods and droughts. For farmers, extreme conditions such as these put tremendous strain on their business, and can be very stressful and exhausting. For example, a recent story on the sheep industry in Southland commented on the heavy storms that hit the region this spring. One farmer, David Rose, who is the vice-president of Federated Farmers Southland, was interviewed about the situation. “He described the spring as one of the worst he had experienced, in terms of weather and stress, for many years. ‘It was physically and mentally draining. Not good at all.’”7 The weather conditions in New Zealand can be a source of stress for farmers; it just comes with the business.
There are numerous ways that the weather and climate of New Zealand affect health there. Melanoma, rheumatism, asthma, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and stress are just a few of the health issues the weather can influence. It isn’t always easy to pinpoint the effects of weather on different aspects of health, but it is clear that weather is constantly influencing our well-being. 1 Martin RC and Robinson E, Cutaneous Melanoma in Caucasian New Zealanders: 1995-1999. J. Surg. 2004; 74: 233-237.
Maori Culture: The Coexistence of Nature and Man
Introduction Brief Maori History The Maori tribes were able to evolve and flourish as a result of hunting and agriculture. The relative isolation of the island enabled the Maori to develop a rich, unique culture.5 Thus, the Maori culture was able to resist crumbling under European colonization in 1769. Regardless of the Europeans’ incessant fight for land ownership, the Maori persisted in viewing that the land as “Mother Earth’s placenta” and not belonging to anyone.3 It is remarkable that the Maori withstood the tests of time, and continue to preserve their culture to this day. Maori Religion: Ancient Origins Maori religion is largely based on the ancient legend of Rangi and Papa. The religion promotes a deep connection and respect for nature. It is their belief that all life possesses mauri (life force), wairau (spirit), and mana (power, influence, and charisma).3 This universal life force is traditionally celebrated, passed down, and remembered through rituals. The Maori of present day New Zealand continue to use traditional song, dance, and music to celebrate and remember their religious and cultural roots. “He taonga tuku iho a nga tupuna” is a phrase that is often repeated in ritualistic chants; it means “Invaluable treasures that we inherited from our ancestors.”3 Maori Rituals ~ Winter Solstice (Te Maruaroa O Te Takurua, Hotoke)- June 21-22: ~ First Light (Pakawera Hongonui)- August 2: ~ Spring Equinox (Te Koanga, Te Mahuru)- September 21-22: ~ Beltaine (Whiringanuku) – October 31: ~ Summer Solstice ( Te Maruaroa O Te Raumati) – December 21- 22: ~ Lugnasadh (Te Waru) – February 2: ~ Autumn Equinox ( Poututerangi Tengajuru) – March 21-22: ~ Last Light (Haratua, Paengawhawha)- April 30: Conclusions Bibliography |
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It is safe to say that New Zealand is largely a farming nation since farming makes up a high percentage of the country's export earnings. The country's climate ranges from regions in the north that are considered "warm subtropical", to "cool and temperate" in the south. These diverse areas allow for numerous kinds of farming which are vital to New Zealand's economy. All over the country there are deer, llama, ostrich, goat, cattle and sheep farms, and though they get no subsidies from the government, they still play a large part in contributing to overseas markets with their beef, wool, dairy products, other meats, hides, venison (from deer), and goat fiber. It is said that there are about 20 times as many sheep as there are people in New Zealand, but since the country has become increasingly more developed in recent years, this figure has dwindled and continues to do so. This is not to say that the development of human civilization in New Zealand is the preeminent concern for threatening the country’s animal farming industries. In fact, climate change is a greater concern, and if global temperatures continue to rise as they have been over the years, New Zealand ’s animal farms could take a hit. 
In response to the health issues associated with exposure to the sun, New Zealand has developed programs to educate people on the risks of solar radiation and the precautions that can be taken. One such program is called SunSmart, and its goal is to promote sun safety behaviors in New Zealand. Some statistics are posted on their website regarding the effects of skin cancer in the country. These include the fact that every year in New Zealand, about 50,000 new cases of skin cancer are reported, close to 260 people die from the disease, and it costs the New Zealand health system around 33 million dollars.
Another health problem that weather has an effect on is asthma. In New Zealand, the prevalence of asthma is relatively high. One study looked in depth at the adult asthma prevalence in different regions of New Zealand and explored the connection between climate and asthma. It was noted that New Zealand was an ideal setting for this type of study since its climate ranges so much from north to south. The results of this study showed a link between average temperature and asthma prevalence. Although symptoms of asthma can be exacerbated by cold weather, it is actually warmer temperatures that are associated with a higher prevalence of asthma. A reason for this may be the levels of allergen that exist in warmer temperatures compared with cooler ones.
