[North-NV-Greens] bugs on the move

[Paul Etxeberri]

GLOBAL WARMING -- IT'S INFECTIOUS
Environmental change linked to spread of infectious diseases

If the catastrophic flooding, drought, and weather-related calamities 
associated with global warming don't kill you, exotic infectious 
diseases might step up to do the job, a new report released by the 
U.N. suggests.  It found that changes to the environment -- such as 
deforestation, urban growth, mining, and pollution of coastal waters 
-- may be aiding the spread of infectious diseases, including 
ailments never before seen in humans.  The report also suggests that 
global warming could be a major aggravating factor because rising 
temperatures and altered habitats could allow more diseases and their 
carriers to flourish.  Climate change may also increase the number of 
environmental refugees moving to new areas and taking germs with 
them.  The researchers noted a rise in the occurrence of dengue 
fever, found in only nine countries in the 1970s, but now present in 
more than 100.  Other ailments scientists have linked to the 
environment include tuberculosis, bubonic plague, and cholera.

straight to the source:  The Independent, Michael McCarthy, 22 Feb 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4391>

straight to the source:  VOA News, Cathy Majtenyi, 21 Feb 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4392>

straight to the source:  Planet Ark, Reuters, C. Bryson Hull, 22 Feb 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4393>


-- 
Paul Etxeberri

"Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow"   ---Chateaubriand