"The link to climate change couldn't be clearer: not only do warmer temperatures extend the geographic range of the mosquito (up to half the world's population is now at risk), but Science Daily reports that global warming 'also reduces the size of Ae. aegypti's larva, and ultimately adult size. Since smaller adults must feed more frequently to develop their eggs, warmer temperatures would boost the incidence of double feeding and increase the chance of transmission.'"I don't know about you, but more mosquitos doesn't sound appealing. Toss in the chance of contracting a potentially lethal illness and this seems like it could become a massive problem. The first world isn't exempt from the spread of disease either as mosquitoes bite indiscriminately. This, mixed in with the decreasing effectiveness of antibiotics, certainly explains the white houses's public health approach to spreading climate change awareness. Below is a map prediciting the spread of west nile virus in The United States due to climate change (This is just one of many examples):
It seems clear that the health issues that almost exclusively plagued (no pun intended) the third world are becoming rather inclusive. We will see our national healthcare system put to the test as this issue is realized in the safe oasis that is the first world. Scientists believe that lethal viruses may be trapped in the permafrost of the north, and, as the permafrost melts, these illnesses will be reintroduced into society. This may be one of the most dangerous of all of the "positive feedback loops" that climate change will pose in the coming years.
Maybe this is just karma as the first world is largely to blame for climate change, yet sadly the third world is who will be the recipients of the worst of its effects as this map from the Huffington post shows:
Maybe this is just karma as the first world is largely to blame for climate change, yet sadly the third world is who will be the recipients of the worst of its effects as this map from the Huffington post shows:
Alas, climate change is not fair.
I agree with you that Climate Change isn't fair. In my post I also addressed how scary the thought of new and old diseases spreading is for me. It is crazy to think that such a small bug--a pest who we have dealt with every summer of our lives-- may suddenly become lethal should the viruses spread to our region.
ReplyDeleteI don't if you ever seen the movie Outbreak, but your blog post just reminded me of it. It truly is frightening because this could be the way the world ends: global warming and disease instead of something outlandish like a zombie apocalypse.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree that when I read the section discussing diseases related to increasing temperatures, it grabbed my attention because I never thought about that particular outcome. It's known that malaria has been the main cause of an immense number of people throughout history, but if even dropping temperatures aren't dropping low enough to control the mosquito population, then that is a major problem.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I hate mosquitos. The thought that mosquitos in the United States could one day transmit diseases is horrifying, let alone the thought that their numbers are only going to increase. These times are going to be itchy and possibly deadly.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea before reading this chapter and your blog that these terrible diseases even had a chance to affect a first world country like the United States. Your two maps were great as far as illustrating that lethal diseases are no longer going to be limited to third world countries. It shows that no one is safe due to climate change.
ReplyDeleteI was really struck by the thought of deadly diseases becoming more prominent in our nation as well. We have our scares every now and then (H1N1/Swine Flu, for example), but this is absolutely disgusting. I'm viscerally appalled and angered that we are bringing these things upon ourselves already.
ReplyDeleteAlso, mosquitos are the worst.