pandemics
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Human activities are increasing pandemic risks, new study finds
A recent study highlights how human-induced environmental changes are amplifying the spread of diseases, posing potential pandemic threats.
In short:
- The research examines various environmental factors like pollution, hunting, and climate change, and their combined effects on disease proliferation.
- Key findings indicate that disruptions in biodiversity, largely due to human activities, make ecosystems more susceptible to parasites and diseases.
- The study compiles extensive data from various species and pathogens to underscore a global increase in disease risks due to environmental degradation.
Key quote:
“This adds to a very long list of reasons we should be rapidly moving away from fossil fuels and trying to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
— Felicia Keesing, professor at Bard College, whose research focuses on biodiversity and disease risks
Why this matters:
Healthy, diverse ecosystems often act as buffers against the spread of diseases. Species-rich areas, for instance, contain a variety of hosts that can dilute the impact of pathogens. However, when biodiversity is compromised — through deforestation, pollution, and climate change — these natural checks on disease diminish, and pathogens can spread more rapidly and widely.
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Image by Jürgen Althaus from Pixabay
JM Fortier wants to help more small-scale farmers grow vegetables in winter
In his latest book, the Canadian market farmer and educator hopes to inspire a new generation of small-scale farmers to extend their growing seasons in an effort to boost food sovereignty.
Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
Andrew Nikiforuk: The 10 chilling laws of pandemics
We’re stumbling blindly through a dangerous present towards an even grimmer future.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Plant pandemics threatening global food supplies, scientists warn
Climate change, globalisation and armed conflict are facilitating the spread of plant pandemics and threatening the production of food on which billions rely, scientists have said.
Tim Dennell/Flickr
Carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2022
Communities around the world emitted more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in any other year on records dating to 1900, a result of air travel rebounding from the pandemic and more cities turning to coal as a low-cost source of power.
EU Civil Protection and Hum/Flickr
FAO: Rising prices, food insecurity add to ranks of hungry
Growing numbers of people in Asia lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices and worsening poverty, according to a report released Tuesday by the Food and Agricultural Organization and other United Nations agencies.
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