Exploring the Chilling Link Between Climate Change and Zombie Fungi: What You Need to Know!

With the return of HBO’s hit series “The Last of Us” for Season 2 on April 13, many fans are questioning the science behind its scary premise—a fungal outbreak turning humans into zombie-like creatures. While it feels far-fetched, scientists have taken a closer look at fungal evolution and climate change to understand any real-life connections.

### Can Fungi Turn Us into Zombies?

In “The Last of Us,” the story revolves around cordyceps, a fungus that infects insects and evolves to threaten humans due to a warming climate. The real-life counterpart, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, targets carpenter ants, making them act in ways that lead ultimately to their demise.

However, microbiologist Dr. Jim Kronstad from the University of British Columbia points out that cordyceps can’t easily shift from insects to humans. Our body temperature and immune system are too strong for most fungi to adapt to human biology. This makes the idea of a zombie outbreak through cordyceps very unlikely.

Interestingly, the upcoming season shows how the zombies evolve to spread the fungus through air, a concept more in line with how fungal infections actually work.

### Climate Change and Fungal Growth

The chilling opening of the show features an epidemiologist in 1968 suggesting that climate change could lead to a fungal pandemic. Today, scientists share this concern as rising temperatures may increase the risk of fungal infections in humans.

As temperatures climb, some fungi might adapt, becoming capable of infecting humans. For example, Valley fever, caused by the Coccidioides fungus, thrives in hot regions like the southwestern United States. Recent reports show a rise in Valley fever cases in California, particularly in areas that were previously less affected, correlating with climate-driven changes.

Dr. Kronstad emphasizes that the interaction between temperature and soil conditions could allow fungi to spread to new areas, thus increasing the number of people at risk.

### The Agricultural Impact

Fungi also pose significant risks to crops, threatening our food supply. “Fungi are the leading causes of crop loss,” Kronstad explains. As global temperatures change, plant-pathogenic fungi could invade new areas, further endangering agriculture.

### The Positive Side of Fungi

Despite their menacing fictional portrayals, fungi are essential to our ecosystems. They help decompose material and recycle nutrients. “Fungi are vital, and their contributions to humanity are remarkable,” Dr. Kronstad notes. They’re crucial for pharmaceuticals, food production, and environmental health.

While the zombie apocalypse in “The Last of Us” is fictional, the reality that climate change may enable certain fungi to increase their grip on human health and agriculture is alarming. Scientists are closely monitoring these trends, aware that as our planet warms, the risks associated with fungal infections could grow.

So, while we enjoy the excitement of the upcoming season, the underlying issues of climate change and its effects on fungi are serious and worth paying attention to.

### When Does “The Last of Us” Season 2 Premiere?

“The Last of Us” is set to premiere its second season on Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. Get ready to immerse yourself in its thrilling and chilling world once again!



Source link