rising temperatures
Newsletter
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CDC develops new test to identify climate-driven malaria-carrying mosquitoes
In a major stride against malaria, CDC researchers have created a rapid test to identify the Anopheles stephensi mosquito, a malaria carrier thriving due to climate change.
In short:
- Anopheles stephensi, native to Asia, has established itself in Africa due to global warming, threatening 130 million people.
- The CDC’s new test allows rapid identification of this mosquito, enabling quicker responses to potential malaria outbreaks.
- Climate change facilitates the spread and persistence of this mosquito in new regions, increasing malaria risks.
Key quote:
"If we start seeing that mosquito in the United States, transmitting or getting a foothold here, then there’s more concern that we’re going to see more widespread malaria in, potentially, urban areas.”
— Judith O’Donnell, infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania
Why this matters:
This breakthrough couldn't come at a better time, as the threat of malaria establishing itself in the U.S. looms larger. By nipping these mosquito migrations in the bud, we might just keep malaria at bay and protect vulnerable communities from a resurgence of this ancient scourge. Read more: The Holocene climate experience.
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Credit: Philip Brookes
Construction worker's tragic end highlights the deadly impact of extreme heat on workers
Caught in a deadly heatwave, David Azevedo's effort to impress in a new job tragically cost him his life, underscoring the urgent need for better protections for outdoor workers.
In short:
- David Azevedo, working in extreme heat on a French construction site, succumbed to heatstroke, demonstrating the severe risk posed by rising temperatures.
- Despite showing signs of severe heat illness, David was left unattended for critical moments, which may have contributed to his death.
- The incident reveals the urgent necessity for stronger safety regulations to protect workers in increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves.
Key quote:
“Workers are compelled to be in the heat. They have to work or they lose their livelihood. This speaks to a wider dynamic: power and money determine your vulnerability to climate change.”
— Cora Roelofs, professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
Why this matters:
As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, our bodies are pushed to their limits, and the risks aren't just limited to those working under the sun. Read more: How youth can battle extreme heat in their communities.
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Hurricanes are becoming less predictable and more dangerous
Fueled by rising ocean temperatures, hurricanes are intensifying faster, lasting longer, and becoming less predictable, posing new challenges for communities worldwide.
In short:
- Climate change is extending hurricane seasons and increasing their intensity, with warmer oceans providing more energy for storms.
- Hurricanes are slowing down, leading to prolonged rainfall and increased damage in affected areas.
- Shifting hurricane tracks are bringing extreme storms to regions unaccustomed to such events.
Key quote:
"Because we can't suddenly turn off climate change and have everything go back to the way it was. There's an inertia to the system that we can't really get past. And so adaptation is going to be a big part of it."
— James Kossin, climate and atmospheric scientist, NOAA, retired
Why this matters:
Hurricanes are no longer playing by the rules. As climate change cranks up the Earth's thermostat, these once somewhat predictable storms are turning into wild cards, packing unpredictable punches that leave communities scrambling to pick up the pieces. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
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Credit: Eddy Billard/Unsplash
Kidney disease surges among Sri Lanka’s young men
Rising temperatures and contaminated water have led to an epidemic of kidney disease among young men in Sri Lanka's farming and fishing communities.
In short:
- Young men in Sri Lanka’s rural areas are experiencing high rates of kidney disease, requiring dialysis or transplants.
- The disease is likely caused by extreme heat, worsened by climate change, and pesticide-contaminated water.
- Many affected communities lack access to clean water and rely on well water for daily use, exacerbating the problem.
Key quote:
“Sri Lanka has made the perfect case for how climate change is affecting people in real time.”
— Nishad Jayasundara, expert in global environmental health at Duke University.
Why this matters:
Kidney disease linked to climate change and water contamination is affecting vulnerable communities globally. Addressing these environmental health risks is crucial to prevent widespread health crises.
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Newsletter
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Scientists rush to save historical data locked in melting glaciers
As glaciers worldwide melt, scientists are scrambling to retrieve vital ice cores that hold historical climate records before they are lost forever.
In short:
- Researchers are urgently retrieving ice cores from glaciers worldwide, as warming temperatures melt and corrupt these historical climate records.
- The Ice Memory Foundation aims to store ice cores in Antarctica to protect them from further damage.
- The Foundation's goal is to get cores from 20 glaciers around the world in the next 20 years and lock them away in an ice cave in the Antarctic.
- Many glaciers have already lost valuable data, raising concerns about the future availability of these critical climate archives.
Key quote:
"When you are standing on a glacier that’s literally melting under your feet, you really feel the urgency.”
— Margit Schwikowski, environmental chemist at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Germany and scientific lead for the Ice Memory Foundation.
Why this matters:
Preserving glacial ice cores is important for scientific understanding of historical climate patterns and predicting future environmental changes that can influence global efforts to combat climate change and protect public health. Read more: People are flocking to see melting glaciers before they're gone—bringing both benefit and harm.
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Credit: Anthony Quintano/Flickr
A growing wildfire threat endangers global health
Escalating megafires worldwide are worsening air quality and posing serious health risks, with vulnerable populations most at risk.
In short:
- Increasing wildfires, driven by climate change and poor forest management, are leading to more smoke-related health issues.
- Vulnerable groups, like the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, are particularly at risk from the short-term and long-term effects of smoke.
- Wildfire smoke contributes to the cumulative air pollution burden, even affecting remote areas and stalling progress on clean air improvements.
Key quote:
“For every death and heart attack, you’ve got 10 times more people needing to see a GP or needing to go to a pharmacy. You’ve got 100 times more people with symptoms missing work, kids [missing school], so the ramifications … are quite big.”
— Fay Johnston, professor at the University of Tasmania in Australia.
Why this matters:
The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires lead to more severe air pollution, exacerbating health problems like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and affecting large populations, including vulnerable communities. Read more: Carlos Gould on wildfire smoke and our health.
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Newsletter
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Rising temperatures accelerate global dengue spread, including U.S. territories
Dengue fever cases are surging globally, in part driven by climate change, with Puerto Rico seeing record numbers and a warning for future outbreaks in the United States.
Lena H. Sun and Sarah Kaplan report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Dengue cases have reached an unprecedented 10 million this year, exacerbated in part by global warming, which expands mosquito habitats.
- Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency with over 1,500 cases reported by mid-June, anticipating more due to the hot and rainy season.
- Public health officials expect the virus will crop up in more temperate regions, including the southernmost parts of the United States.
- The only U.S. dengue vaccine will expire in 2026, complicating future prevention efforts.
Key quote:
“The storm’s comin’, folks. It’s here in Puerto Rico, but you guys are going to feel it pretty soon.”
— Grayson Brown, executive director of the nonprofit Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit.
Why this matters:
Mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species responsible for transmitting dengue, flourish in warmer, wetter environments. As climate change drives temperatures upward and alters precipitation patterns, these insects can expand their range, invading new territories and bringing dengue along with them. Countries unaccustomed to dealing with dengue outbreaks must now brace for potential epidemics, placing additional strain on healthcare systems already grappling with other infectious diseases.
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