Politicians denythis impeding issue, cities are slowly going underwaterbecause of it, delicate ecosystems have been destroyedby it. It is becoming more apparent with time that global warming cannot be ignored. The rising global temperatures has stirred up a multitude of issues that effects our environment but now it can very soon be affecting our health in a truly detrimental way. Global warming has increased the rates of melting ice caps and diseases we once thought were left in history are resurfacing.
In 2016 an anthrax outbreak occurred in Siberia, killing 2,300 reindeer which are believed to have infected dozens of peoplein the region. Untouched layers of permafrost are harboring deadly bacteria that global warming is exposing to the environment as almost protective layers melt away. Extreme temperatures and a lack of oxygen have kept these lethal bacteria dormant but with the changing global temperature they are beginning to reappear. According to evolutionary biologist Jean-Michel Claverie from the University in France, “Pathogenic viruses that can infect humans or animals might be preserved in old permafrost layers, including some that have caused global epidemics in the past.” As global temperatures increase, our risk of infection by lethal bacteria also increases. Could this be the catalyst to political action by major governments?
Written by Anamaria Flores, Class of 2021