By Sophia Aijo
Thanks to modern sanitation techniques and other preventative measures, most developed countries don’t have to worry about diseases such as smallpox, botulism, and bubonic plague. However, in recent decades people have greatly impacted the environment; we’ve ultimately prodded global warming through an increased production of greenhouse gases. As a result, permafrost, thick, long lasting ice that covers frozen portions of land in the arctic, is melting. We’ve all heard about the melting of the ice caps, but did you know that the consequences of it go beyond a rise in ocean levels? With the current thawing of permafrost in the arctic, we may soon have to open ourselves up to the possibility of new outbreaks of deadly diseases long forgotten by most modern communities.
To start, it’s important for us to understand what it is that we, as humans, are actually doing to increase the rate at which our world’s glaciers are melting. The answer lies in the prodigious human demand for fuel. Every time we burn fossil fuels to turn them into a more usable form, we’re releasing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. For instance, when 1 million btu (a traditional unit of heat) of diesel fuel is burned, a whopping 161.3 lbs of Carbon Dioxide is released into the atmosphere. That’s a whole extra 161.3 lbs of Carbon Dioxide that the natural carbon cycle must account for just for 1 million btu of diesel fuel. To put that into perspective, a traditional 1,400 square foot home needs about 23,000 btu PER HOUR for cooling. If you do the math, that’s about 4 pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere just to support one 1,400 square foot home’s cooling needs for one hour. So, what does this have to do with the melting of the glaciers? Well, as more greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are introduced into the atmosphere, more heat is also captured within it. Such heat is precisely what is melting the arctic today through a warming of global temperatures. The scariest part of such large scale carbon emissions, however, lies within the melting ice caps themselves.
What scientists have begun to realize more clearly, in studying and observing the melting of arctic permafrost, is that it has been around for a long time. We’re not talking decades here, but centuries. Some permafrost in places such as Siberia has been frozen for upwards of thousands of years. That means it’s outlived wars, countries, migrations, and, most importantly, epidemics. Some of the oldest permafrost in Russia has likely lived through the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 and multiple smallpox epidemics among other deadly historic outbreaks. This may seem like no big deal, but, as we all know, ice serves as a perfect means of preservation. This means that strains of a multitude of viral diseases could remain dormant, but living, preserved by the cold temperatures, within ice caps, glaciers, and permafrost. This would be all fine and dandy given that they’re trapped within the ice were it not for the melting of such natural cages. As a result of such, scientists are currently working towards gaining a greater understanding of what diseases specifically may be lurking within the frozen ground of the north and whether we should be concerned or not. After all, there’s no proof that the melting of some ice will lead to a global pandemic, right?
Technically, no major global outbreaks have occurred yet due to illnesses lying within our ice caps. However, small scale outbreaks show proof of such potential. For example, in one town in the region of Yamal in Siberia in 2016, around 2,000 reindeer died and a little shy of 100 people were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Anthrax thought to have started from an infected reindeer corpse uncovered by melted permafrost. Even more shocking is the fact that the Anthrax that lead to the outbreak dated over 70 years old. However, this isn’t the only documented case of dormant diseases arising from melted ice and causing illness. That being said, there are those who persist to argue that we are in no imminent danger of a global outbreak due to the melting of permafrost. What do you guys think? Are we in danger? And even if we are, is there anything we could do to try to protect ourselves, and the environment, from further melting of glaciers?
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25 comments:
With the knowledge you have shared, there only seems to be a small portion of scientific evidence of epidemic level effects but I definitely can see the potential of this occurring. Your Siberian citation may have affected about 100 people but what if that's only the tip of the iceberg (pun not intended). There is definite potential for pandemic outbreaks in the future if these icebergs continue to melt and release these ancient diseases.
I found this really interesting! When looking at climate change, we hardly ever stop to look at the pathological impacts. Since there isn't a lot of evidence claiming that this will definitely happen, it may be hard to convince people (especially those that don't believe in climate change to begin with) but I think that this could be a huge risk. I wonder what the emergence of new diseases will mean for the future of medicine- what new research and vaccinations must be developed in order to prevent the spread of these diseases? I think that this could be very interesting (and scary) to see this unfold. Hopefully it won't get to that point.
Wow this is really interesting! I loved how you talk about how the affects of the ice caps melting could break out deadly diseases which could affect our modern world. This is concerning to know that all of this is caused by global warming which could be prevented by reducing fossil fuels. I wonder what we could do to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. I think your topic is very relevant in today's current epidemic.
Not going to lie, I said "oh my god" out loud in the middle of reading the first paragraph. This is some unnerving information. In freshman year biology, Mrs. Jeter talked about bacterial/viral dormancy and how dangerous it is. Dormant bacteria is ultimately immune to antibiotics, which is alarming at best. The Siberian anthrax case you shared, while not quite a serious, has me very concerned. I appreciate that you included the animal casualties instead of focusing solely on human effects. I am genuinely upset that this information is so rarely talked about and circulated as a potential threat to pretty much any living organism; I'm a little disappointed in myself that this is the first I'm hearing of it in a real world example instead of just as a concept like in freshman year. There are way too many illnesses that have almost wiped out regions, and the thought of even one, although there are most likely many more, being released is terrifying.
This is really fascinating! It is also concerning that using a great amount of resources in an unlimited manner is the main cause for global warming and melting of ice caps. One thing that I found shocking was that these issues have been happening for centuries and not long from now, humans and animals could be highly affected by diseases caused by global warming. Worldwide actions (not only awareness) by individuals and government could reduce emissions.
I felt captivated from reading your blog. I knew that there were effects from the melting of glaciers, but I only thought of rise in ocean levels and habitat loss, as you have mentioned. However, I never thought about the many things that could be preserved within the glaciers/permafrost. I wonder how the melting of these glaciers will affect aquatic life if there are unknown diseases within the ice. I think we should take many precautions and do further testing in order to determine what could possibly be hidden. As for what we can do to prevent it, using less materials that cause an increase in greenhouse gases is a must. An example would be to decrease the amount of excess carbon dioxide we release in the atmosphere that isn't apart of the carbon cycle. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning about this potential epidemic.
Interesting topic Sophia. I have heard about the possibility of pathogens within permafrost; however, I failed to realize the rate of those permafrost melting, and the possibility of certain pathogens being released. For those skeptical regarding climate change, the possibility of pathogenic outbreaks by melting permafrost seems even more unrealistic as there is not much scientific data in support of it quite yet. I personally believe that it is important that people recognize the dangers of melting permafrost, but at the same time, I do not believe these people need to feel like they are in eminent danger. Scientists have cured many strong illnesses, and luckily, scientists are fully aware of the possibilities of pathogens being stored within permafrost, giving them enough time to prepare themselves. To decrease the rate of melting permafrost, people must begin to lessen their usage of materials that increased the production of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, scientists must provide scientific and proven data that supports the negative effects of melting permafrost because without such support, many people will continue to question the dangers of melting permafrost
I found this really fascinating! Most people realize that the Arctic is melting, but they do not think about what is being released with this melting. If we do not want another Black Death Epidemic, then society needs to start using less fossil fuels. For example, we can start using more solar panels and making cheaper electric cars. But these are temporary solutions to a rapidly approaching problem. The next generation needs to step up and find a permanent solution to the greenhouse gas problem because the wrong outcome will lead to another major epidmeic.
I think this blog did a fantastic Job of taking a different look at global warming. Many people around the world realize the problem that Global Warming is but most don't realize the extent of the issue. You did a great job explaining how diseases long forgotten could come back and take a toll on our planet and how the governments and people of the world aren't paying enough attention to it. Sooner rather than later, the people and governments of the world need to step up to fix this problem that is causing such huge issues on our planet and find a viable solution.
Global warming is one of the most talked about issues facing today’s world, but most people don’t really know what they mean when they say it. This blog really captures the various types of problems that spread from the big broad topic of global warming. I do believe people joke about the title “global warming” and don’t realize the real danger were in if we don’t change. No one would think about the realeasing of old viruses due to the melting of ice caps, but it is in fact a real thing. Humans have relied on new technologies and resources to survive, but if we still want to survive on this planet, adaptation to sustainability is necessary.
Your post does a superb job of talking about the more present dangers of climate change in our society. Often times climate change is ignored as a major issue because of the lack of relativity to everyday life, especially in the United States. Many view climate change as something that only affects a few Arctic environments, but what they do not understand is the danger that comes with this destruction. I appreciate the way that your writing brings to the forefront of the clear and present danger presented by pathogenic substances within our melting permafrost. Often times the struggle with encouraging people to act against climate change is the idea that it is a very slow moving issue that won’t be relevant for many decades, but what you’re writing showcases is a perfect example of why climate change and global warming should be taken seriously not only for people in the Arctic but for the entire planet.
Overall, I think you did a great job at going beyond the superficial level of the consequences of global warming. Although global warming is a hotly debated topic, I don’t think most people know the extent of its effects. For example, I personally didn’t even think about the fact that global warming could cause the melting of permafrost and therefore the release of ancient diseases. This fact is definitely concerning because we don’t have well developed vaccines to combat diseases from thousands of years ago. I think if this information was more widespread, it would encourage people to be more mindful of the environment and motivate us to decrease our greenhouse gas emissions.
Great job! One can tell that you put much effort into making this blog with all of the facts and data you present to us. It’s scary to think that permafrost can be holding not just one deadly disease but potentially multiple. I learned a lot from this blog and glad you are making our whole class aware of this problem. I am fascinated with the fact that this problem has the potential to be catastrophic to our world and it has been developing for thousands of years in which we didn't even know it.
Wow! That was so much information! After reading the blog I have a better understanding of how the world is slowly dying. I love that you used statistics to demonstrate the urgency of the harmful effects of greenhouse gases. I learned about the dangers of greenhouse gases and the potential risks it holds in the future after reading your blog!
Exactly! People always talk about global warming but don’t do anything about it! They don’t do anything about it because they think nothing is happening anytime soon...
I had no idea about the recent discovery of old, hidden diseases that are inside the frozen permafrost within our glaciers. I knew that the melting of glaciers and ice caps is becoming a huge problem in our global environment, but I did not realize the potential outbreak of a pandemic that could shock the world. The federal government needs to start paying attention to this issue before it becomes too late and the whole world has suffered. Without a solution to the increased carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas levels, the world could be in trouble for a long time. Instead of wasting so much fossil fuels for our everyday lives, maybe try and use more solar panels to create more energy. Harnessing the suns radiant energy can benefit everyone that way we do not have to create more excessive carbon dioxide for the atmosphere.
I think you chose a great topic and did a great job writing you blog as well. Specifically, I love how you chose to write about a different angle of what climate change could lead to, an angle that I had never heard or even thought about. So obviously you could assume I found it very interesting, especially how you provided a real life example of an occurrence that has already happened from this which would help us, the reader, to believe more in the topic. In my opinion, I believe we might very well be in danger. I have heard estimates of time when the damage that we have done to Earth will no longer be reversible, and just that thought (even if years away) scares me. To help combat this problem, I have tried my best to save energy around my family’s house as well as carpooling with my friends since we live so close to each other. Although, we obviously need to do more than just that. For instance, maybe start government funded research that involves reducing the effects of climate change that way if results were to be found we could implement them immediately rather than having some private corporation share the results but nothing be done with them.
This is some really important information. I think that if the ice caps continue to melt, some people will pay the price for it by contracting the deadly diseases stored in there. More people need to know about this so that we can take action and change our ways before its too late. The world’s national governments need to open their eye to this upcoming danger. If they don’t, a lot of bad things may happen. This is why people need to start doing something to fix it.
Cara Kelly
It may sound silly but I really never thought of the fact that diseases could be released from melting ice caps until we learned it in class. People that don't believe in climate change, as well as people that don't believe in vaccines or medicine, truly concern me because they are so ignorant about that fact that all natural issues, whether it be disease or climate change, are all interconnected in one way or another.
I think you did a really good job in describing the potential danger that can be found in the ice caps, I found what you wrote interesting. Something new I learned was the amount of energy it took to cool an average home and the carbon footprint it left behind. It’s crazy to think something as simple as cooling your house on a summer day could potentially lead to an outbreak of infectious diseases. It’s worrisome that not many people are aware of what’s trapped under the permafrost and the harm it could do to not only us but all living organisms.
This blog post was particularly interesting to me as I had no idea that the melting of these ice caps could have had such dire repercussions. If the ice caps continue to melt, there is no doubt that we as humans will be the recipients of these deadly ancient diseases being released from said ice caps, and that we will also suffer both environmentally and economically from the exponential increase in atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gases induced by the melting of the permafrost inside these ice caps.
The blog had some really good facts and important topics. I like how you brought up the melting of the ice caps and how they could have had a lot of repercussions. We as humans need to figure out how to stop the ice caps from melting before bad diseases release. -Jack
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