Addressing Effects of Climate change Using Biotechnology
Cool it, earth!
Plastic
Plastic uses large amounts of oil and fossil fuels, which create carbon emissions and pollution.
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"An estimated 12 million barrels of oil are used to manufacture the 30 million plastic bags that Americans use each year." C.1
Suffering Agriculture
The changing climate causes crops' ideal environment and weather patterns to change. Since areas are warmer than they used to be, farmers prefer to grow crops in cooler and higher latitudes. Additionally, droughts and unpredictable precipitation can lead to destroyed crops.
Malaria Virus
The Malaria Virus has increased as a result of climate change. The disease, carried by mosquitoes, has migrated to higher altitudes, where temperatures are higher that they used to be. The disease infects 300 million people a year. The people in those higher altitudes are not likely to have been previously exposed to the virus, so they are at a high risk of becoming infected. These areas in high altitude regions will have high morbidity and mortality rates. C.4
Endangered Species
Many species have become endangered or extinct because of the changing climate. The changing climate has lead to habitat destruction, causing animals to migrate.
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Sika Deer, native to snowy areas in Japan, is considered endangered. Due to the warmer climate and less snowfall, the species is dying out because of habitat loss. C.7
Dying Coral Reefs
The warming waters cause the reefs to stress and expel zooxanthellae algae, which provide the coral their nutrients and color. Approximately 12% of the world's reefs have been bleached and nearly half of the reefs could disappear forever if climate change persists. These reefs are home to many sea creatures and provide protection from predators. C.9
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Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever has increased by 30-fold in the past 50 years. The disease is carried by mosquitoes, who are cold blooded and, therefore, prefer warmer climates. Mosquitoes are able to spread and carry diseases to new places now that the temperature is increasing. Symptoms include: high fever, severe headache, rash, bleeding complications, can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever which can lead to dengue shock syndrome and death. C.11
