Climate Change and Health: Pests and Contamination

Our warming climate is promoting more illness that thrives in hot weather and survives in milder winters.  Some of these infections are carried by pests (called vectors) such as mosquitoes and ticks. Others occur when people are exposed to contaminated water or food.

Vector-borne Diseases

Mosquitoes and ticks carry infections dangerous to humans like the West Nile and Zika viruses and Lyme disease. Earlier springs and warmer falls mean longer pest seasons. Warmer, more humid air makes for more favorable conditions for mosquitoes and even changes in behavior of ticks and where they live. Shorter, warmer winters mean less winter die-off as well.

Resources

Climate Matters

2021 Fall Package

THIS IS NOT THE MOST RECENT VERSION AVAILABLE. A warming fall season means that summer mosquitoes, sweltering heat, wildfires, and allergies are sticking around longer.

Climate Matters

Winter's Coldest Time

For much of the country, winter is entering its coldest stretch. But climate change means our coldest days have been getting warmer—a trend which has consequences for winter recreation, pests, and agriculture.

Climate Matters

Hiking Hazards: Ticks and Poison Ivy

Poison ivy and the Lyme disease-carrying blacklegged tick may both pose more of a threat to public health now, as a result of climate change.

Climate Matters

This News Bites: More Mosquito Days

As the climate warms, mosquito-friendly weather is increasing in much of the U.S.—raising the risk for mosquito-borne diseases.

Climate Matters

Tick Migration

Lyme disease is spreading in the Northeast, with more deer ticks there in a warming world.

Contaminated Food and Water 

Warm weather also makes many microorganisms grow more efficiently. Both food and water can become contaminated. Vulnerable individuals can get sick.

Resources

Climate Matters

Algae Blooms

Algae blooms can damage aquatic ecosystems by blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen that other organisms need to survive. Climate change could be making them more common.

Climate Matters

Heavy Downpours & Sewage Overflows

Increases in heavy precipitation will threaten to worsen incidents of sewage overflows, especially in cities with aging sewage infrastructure.

Climate Matters

2021 Record Rain Days

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, making the heaviest rains of each year heavier.

Climate Matters

Toxic Algae Blooms in a Changing Climate

Harmful algal blooms pose risks to human health, pets, and ecosystems. And climate change is boosting blooms with warming and heavy rainfall—which transports nutrient pollution.