PARIS : Scientists fear the emergence of long-dormant viruses brought back to life due to climate change could prove to be disastrous for the world.
These could be disaster movie storylines, but they are also serious and increasingly plausible scenarios of epidemics unleashed by global warming, scientists say.
The COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the globe and claimed over 760,000 lives so far almost certainly came from a wild bat, highlighting the danger of humanity’s constant encroachment on the planet’s dwindling wild spaces.
But the expanding ecological footprint of our species could trigger epidemics in other ways too.
Climate change — already wreaking havoc with one degree Celsius of warming — is also emerging as a driver of infectious disease, whether by expanding the footprint of malaria- and dengue-carrying mosquitos, or defrosting prehistoric pathogens from the Siberian permafrost.
‘Ignorance is our enemy’
Trending
- A two-day seminar held to discuss the development and validation of a risk and needs assessment tool for probation in Pakistan
- All the prisoners of JAC should be released: Muhammad Tahir Khokhar
- Social Media and Its Influence on Humans
- Revitalizing Education in Pakistan: Embracing International Best Models for Reform
- Protests in AJK Don’t Reflect Hate for Pakistan and Pak Army
- FM for Finance & Revenue updates on Banking Sector’s Strategic Initiatives in Priority Sectors
- Files Pile Up For ADCR Orders
- GDGC Al Noor Block 19 Hosts Successful Chess Workshop and Sports Certificate Ceremony