Spring Break
Disease: The Hidden Threat Of Global Warming
Christopher Duray
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
Kennedy also said that since plants feed off it, the carbon dioxide imbalance causes an increase in certain dangerous fauna. As global warming increases, plants like ragweed and poison ivy will spread faster and develop stronger strains.
The biggest threat in terms of plant life is red tide, according to Kennedy. Red tide is a form of massive infestation of sea algae that usually occurs at beaches. The algae kills large quantities of fish, and certain strains of it can cause problems ranging from skin irritation and rashes from swimming in it, to liver failure and death if it is ingested. It can also cause respiratory problems, particularly in asthmatics.
Kennedy was also adamant about recycling, since certain disposal methods can contribute to diseases. Many plastics, for example, release a toxin into the air called Dioxin when burnt. Dioxin is an incredibly potent carcinogen.
A large point that Kennedy made had to do with hurricanes. With the warmer weather, hurricanes are more likely to strike and be larger than normal. Americans need only look at Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans to understand the danger. Kennedy pointed out that in a post-hurricane disaster area, diseases are easily spread, particularly in damaged homes where dangerous mold spores thrive.
To make matters worse, the healthcare in such areas is dismal. According to a New York Times article published last July, only one hospital was fully open in New Orleans at the time. Two operated at partial capacity, and four others were still closed. In all, the amount of available hospital beds has dropped by roughly two thirds. Should global warming increase the odds of situations like this being commonplace, health care will take a serious blow.
Kennedy finished his speech by identifying America as the largest producer of greenhouse gasses in the world, both net and per person. He suggested many ways for people to try and remedy this, such as planting trees, installing low flow showerheads, buying recyclable goods, carpooling or switching incandescent light bulbs with compact, fluorescent ones.
"Do as much as you can, and tell people what you're doing," he said. "Fix up your own area, a little bit by a little bit, and eventually we'll get where we need to be."
He spoke to an audience of about fifteen people from the Farmington community. Kim Scala, a homemaker, was particularly impressed by his presentation. "I was surprised how much the United State contributes to global warming," she said.
Scala said Kennedy's speech inspired her to switch her electricity service to a more clean burning provider.
Kennedy acknowledged that students living in dormitories have less influence in what lightbulbs and showerheads are purchased, but said students do a service to the planet by walking to classes instead of driving. He strongly encouraged UConn students to join environmental groups.
Contact Christopher Duray at
Christopher.Duray@UConn.edu.
The biggest threat in terms of plant life is red tide, according to Kennedy. Red tide is a form of massive infestation of sea algae that usually occurs at beaches. The algae kills large quantities of fish, and certain strains of it can cause problems ranging from skin irritation and rashes from swimming in it, to liver failure and death if it is ingested. It can also cause respiratory problems, particularly in asthmatics.
Kennedy was also adamant about recycling, since certain disposal methods can contribute to diseases. Many plastics, for example, release a toxin into the air called Dioxin when burnt. Dioxin is an incredibly potent carcinogen.
A large point that Kennedy made had to do with hurricanes. With the warmer weather, hurricanes are more likely to strike and be larger than normal. Americans need only look at Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans to understand the danger. Kennedy pointed out that in a post-hurricane disaster area, diseases are easily spread, particularly in damaged homes where dangerous mold spores thrive.
To make matters worse, the healthcare in such areas is dismal. According to a New York Times article published last July, only one hospital was fully open in New Orleans at the time. Two operated at partial capacity, and four others were still closed. In all, the amount of available hospital beds has dropped by roughly two thirds. Should global warming increase the odds of situations like this being commonplace, health care will take a serious blow.
Kennedy finished his speech by identifying America as the largest producer of greenhouse gasses in the world, both net and per person. He suggested many ways for people to try and remedy this, such as planting trees, installing low flow showerheads, buying recyclable goods, carpooling or switching incandescent light bulbs with compact, fluorescent ones.
"Do as much as you can, and tell people what you're doing," he said. "Fix up your own area, a little bit by a little bit, and eventually we'll get where we need to be."
He spoke to an audience of about fifteen people from the Farmington community. Kim Scala, a homemaker, was particularly impressed by his presentation. "I was surprised how much the United State contributes to global warming," she said.
Scala said Kennedy's speech inspired her to switch her electricity service to a more clean burning provider.
Kennedy acknowledged that students living in dormitories have less influence in what lightbulbs and showerheads are purchased, but said students do a service to the planet by walking to classes instead of driving. He strongly encouraged UConn students to join environmental groups.
Contact Christopher Duray at
Christopher.Duray@UConn.edu.
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