atmospheric river
Photo by michael podger on Unsplash
Valley fever on the rise in California due to climate extremes
California's extreme weather patterns, swinging between drought and heavy rains, are contributing to a significant increase in Valley fever cases.
In short:
- Intense atmospheric rivers and prolonged droughts in California create ideal conditions for the spread of Valley fever, a fungal disease.
- The disease, caused by Coccidioides spores, can lead to severe respiratory issues and disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups and pregnant individuals.
- Climate change is exacerbating the spread of Valley fever, with cases increasing dramatically in recent years.
Key quote:
"What kind of disease do you see a 1,000 percent increase in a matter of two decades?"
— Shangxin Yang, clinical microbiologist at UCLA.
Why this matters:
This surge in Valley fever highlights the direct impact of climate change on public health. It underscores the need for climate action and adaptation strategies, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events, to mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations.
In short:
- Intense atmospheric rivers and prolonged droughts in California create ideal conditions for the spread of Valley fever, a fungal disease.
- The disease, caused by Coccidioides spores, can lead to severe respiratory issues and disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups and pregnant individuals.
- Climate change is exacerbating the spread of Valley fever, with cases increasing dramatically in recent years.
Key quote:
"What kind of disease do you see a 1,000 percent increase in a matter of two decades?"
— Shangxin Yang, clinical microbiologist at UCLA.
Why this matters:
This surge in Valley fever highlights the direct impact of climate change on public health. It underscores the need for climate action and adaptation strategies, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events, to mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations.
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Credit: Wade Austin Ellis/Unsplash
Lack of flood insurance exposes Californians to risks from atmospheric rivers
In California, the recent atmospheric rivers reveal a critical gap in flood insurance coverage.
In short:
- Only a quarter of homes in California's flood hazard zones have flood insurance, leaving many unprotected against atmospheric river storms.
- High insurance costs and "disaster fatigue" contribute to low coverage rates.
- The situation is worsened by climate change, which intensifies atmospheric river storms, increasing the risk of flooding.
Key quote:
"Disaster fatigue is a real thing. People wear out hearing they’re going to die from earthquakes, fires, and floods, and they get numb, and they don’t take actions to protect themselves."
— Jeffrey Mount, senior fellow, Public Policy Institute of California.
Why this matters:
This issue highlights the intersection of climate change, economic challenges, and public policy. It underscores the need for more effective measures to ensure adequate protection for vulnerable populations against the increasing risks of extreme weather events.
Americans have sorted ourselves into communities defined by geography, demography, ideology. Does the the shared trauma of flooding offer an opening?
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