In a recent study done at the University of East Anglia, it was found that climate change could cause misery due to hay fever for millions of people in Europe. Hay fever is an allergic condition caused by pollen allergy. The research uncovered that over the next 35 years, hay fever caused by ragweed could double. The research team investigated the potential impacts of climate change on ragweed plant distribution, plant productivity, pollen production and dispersal, and the resulting allergy impacts across Europe. Ragweed allergen is extremely common and a single plant could produce around a billion grains of pollen in a single season. A higher ragweed concentration will do nothing but increase the severity of Hay Fever. By 2050 over 77 million people could be effected.
I found this article to be very informative. I had no idea that climate change could increase allergies and hay fever cases, let alone possibly double the numbers. Climate change is not only restricted to spiking ragweeds numbers, but tons of other pollen producing species along with it. It makes you take a step back to try and comprehend all the things that are effected by climate change, and that it is a severe issue.
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Methyl mercury, is a potent neurotoxin that has been found in sea ice in the Southern Ocean, according to new research that took place at the University of Melbourne. The study shows how sea ice bacteria can change mercury into its more deadly form. This discovery means that the lives of marine animals and birds are in danger. When methyl mercury is ingested its possible that it could travel to the brain, if it does reach the brain it can cause developmental and physical issues. Methyl mercury is far more poisonous than plain mercury. Seafood that was unknowingly poisoned with methyl mercury and ingested can cause mercury poisoning in humans. "Larger fish eat smaller contaminated fish, and continuously accumulate methylmercury at harmful levels for human consumption."
Methyl Mercury being found in the ocean is dangerous for not only the animals who live in that ecosystem, but humans and even birds. Methyl mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can lead to kidney dysfunctions, neurological disorders and even death. This heavy metal pollutant in the ocean waters is being worsened by the climate change. I believe that something needs to be done in order to protect our already extremely polluted oceans from this poison in order to protect all of the earths ecosystems. However I found it to be extremely intriguing that ice in the Antarctic could be responsible for creating such dangerous environmental issues. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160801113831.htm |
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