Spring 2025: Must-Read Highlights in Climate and Environmental News

In the Bale Mountains National Park of Ethiopia, an endangered Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) has been spotted enjoying nectar from the Ethiopian red hot poker flower (Kniphofia foliosa). While these wolves mainly feast on rodents, their flower-snacking habits reveal a surprising side: they might also be acting as pollinators. Researchers found that when wolves lick the flowers, they pick up and transfer a lot of pollen, which is unusual for a carnivorous animal.

Climate Change and Disease

The effects of climate change are more serious than we might think. Rising temperatures impact many areas, including human health. As the climate shifts, the spread of infectious diseases is escalating for several reasons.

Firstly, warmer temperatures allow disease-carrying animals like mosquitoes and birds to expand their habitats. These animals are increasingly moving into new areas where humans reside. Additionally, climate change can lead to extreme weather events such as flooding, which can expose people to contaminated water. The rise in global temperatures can also boost the survival rates of pathogens. A recent study showed that over half of known diseases affecting humans have been worsened by climate factors.

Here’s a look at some regions where climate change is intensifying the spread of infectious diseases:

1. Bangladesh

Changes in the monsoon season are impacting Bangladesh. Longer monsoons and heavy rainstorms create standing water, which allows mosquitoes to breed. This has resulted in a sharp rise in dengue fever cases. In 2023 alone, there were 1,705 reported deaths from dengue, a dramatic increase compared to just 26 deaths in 2018.

2. Brazil

The Oropouche virus is becoming a concern in Brazil, with cases skyrocketing from 832 in 2023 to over 9,000 in 2024. Originally found mainly in the Amazon, it’s spreading to other areas, even reaching Cuba. Factors like climate change and deforestation are likely driving this surge by increasing interactions between humans and the insects that spread the virus.

3. Italy

West Nile virus has been reported in Italy since 1998, and the country has seen increases in human cases since then. Warmer temperatures are extending the breeding seasons for mosquitoes, which leads to higher infection rates. In 2018, Italy recorded 610 West Nile cases compared to just 54 in the cooler year of 2019.

4. Pakistan

Pakistan experienced severe floods in 2022, leading to widespread cholera outbreaks. A third of the country was submerged, causing at least 1,739 deaths. Cholera is rising globally, and climate disruptions play a significant role in this trend. The WHO highlights this as a growing health crisis tied to climate change.

5. Uganda

Central Africa has seen a significant rise in zoonotic diseases, including Ebola, which has struck Uganda multiple times. The changing climate is pushing wildlife closer to human populations, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Research indicates that as the climate heats up, we can expect even more Ebola outbreaks across Africa.

6. United States

In the U.S., Lyme disease is becoming a notable example of climate change’s impact on health. Milder winters allow ticks that carry the disease to thrive. Cases have doubled from 1990 to 2020, with ticks moving into new areas not previously inhabited. Other tick species are also increasing, leading to more tick-borne diseases.

As we look at these trends, it’s clear that our changing climate is affecting not only wildlife but also human health in profound ways.

A Threatened Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to list monarch butterflies as a threatened species by the end of 2025. This is due to their declining numbers, which are affected by climate change, habitat loss, and agricultural expansion. This step follows years of advocacy by conservation groups who have been pushing for protections since 2014.