If we don't prioritize climate change, we could face another pandemic. Here's why. (via The ReidOut Blog)
“At least 10,000 virus species have the capacity to infect humans, but at present, the vast majority are circulating silently in wild mammals,” the report’s authors. “However, climate and land use change will produce novel opportunities for viral sharing among previously geographically-isolated species of wildlife.”
In essence, the harm we inflict on the environment will result in ecological changes that bring us into closer contact with wild animals carrying disease. That exposure could come from interacting with animals that are forced to flee their habitats because of climate change, or through other means, like food markets.The news should be a blow to Covid conspiracy theorists, for example, who’ve pushed unfounded allegations that the disease was deliberately spread from a Chinese lab.. Investigations have found that the disease probably spread from a Chinese wet market, or markets that sell fresh meat and live animals.
Ironically, wet markets can be environmentally friendly alternatives to more industrial meat markets — but only if they’re properly managed, according toin 2020. Otherwise, such markets"can pose a danger to public health by enabling zoonotic disease spread, particularly if they are poorly regulated and allow for close mixing of different species.”
Climate change is disrupting habitats and accelerating the need for alternatives to the way we've traditionally sold animals. To avoid their downstream effects — like the spread of animal-borne viruses — we need a far more serious global response to climate change than we’ve seen thus far.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eye and Brain Study, Fluid Physics Research on Space Station After Cosmonaut SpacewalkOn Wednesday, the Expedition 69 astronauts conducted science experiments aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronauts studied the effect of weightlessness on astronauts' eyes and brains, while UAE Flight Engineer and NASA Flight Engineer set up hardware for a fluid physics study. They als
Read more »
UCLA study looking at quality of life finds LA County residents are not satisfiedAccording to a survey conducted by UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs, the quality of life for L.A. County residents remains low. What's to blame? Inflation, homelessness, and the lack of affordable housing.
Read more »
Study: 77% of Americans struggling with mental health issuesWhile excessive and obsessive behaviors are nothing new, according to the study, the pandemic has exacerbated both the underlying health issues and the toxic behavior used to treat it.
Read more »
India's heatwaves putting economy, development goals at risk - studyKiller heat waves are putting 'unprecedented burdens' on India's agriculture, economy and public health, with climate change undermining the country's long-term efforts to reduce poverty, inequality and illness, a new study showed.
Read more »
New study decodes biological cell mechanisms behind gray hairThis biological function was closely monitored using 3D intravenous imaging and scRNA sequencing to track cell movement in real time.
Read more »