CLIMATE CROWD NEWSLETTER - March 2020

A big source of uncertainty regarding climate change is how the spread and emergence of infectious diseases will be impacted. Vector-born diseases like malaria, lyme disease and dengue are already spreading to areas where they previously did not pose a threat. But novel viruses, many of which originate in wild animals and spread through contact with humans, may increase as wildlife migrate to more suitable climates where they risk more frequent encounters with people. Learn more in this article published by Scientific American. 

Health issues are frequently cited in Climate Crowd interviews with over 150 respondents mentioning increased prevalence of malaria, for example. More frequent interaction between people and wildlife is also apparent in the data, both due to an increase in wildlife entering community areas as well as humans entering protected areas to access natural resources. 

~Maasai farmer, Tanzania
 

"Chimps and baboons have no food in the forests when there is drought. They move to people's fields, and end up being killed/trapped."