Are We Prepared For Global Warming? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Let's Not Encourage The Zombie-Illness Apocolypse

Just how close we're coming to a resurgence of U.S.-eradicated diseases is just as scary as real zombies.

148
Polar ice caps, Antarctica, frozen
https://pixabay.com/en/antarctica-ice-caps-mountains-482686/

It's pretty hard to successfully dispute that Global Warming is a very real and looming reality that we all need to realize is the worlds own personal impending doom, but there are a lot more issues to be addressed than the polar bears losing their ice caps or increasing water and air temperatures. What is not quite so evident to the average non-scientist is that the melting polar ice caps bring on much more frightening dangers than rising sea levels.

While cities and towns are being decreased in size by the rising sea level, what is not talked about enough is the very real health risks that come along with the ice caps shrinking. See, there's this permafrost that has been around for years upon years and inside that permafrost are all the pathogens, germs, cells, and microbes that were around, alive and thriving all those years ago, and those germs can just stay dormant in that ice for as long as it takes for them to be released through ice melt.

So, that's the bad news, now here's the worse news: The more people abandon vaccinating themselves and their children for diseases and illnesses, especially for diseases that have thus far been eradicated from the United States, the easier it will be for those diseases lying in wait within the permafrost to latch onto and spread throughout our population the moment they are released from their icy jail. Not only do we have to deal with rising heat and humidity, but now the walking dead-diseases?

The reality of pathogens being re-released into our environments and populations is increasing by the day and, the way I see it, there are two ways to avoid the impending zombie-pathogen apocalypse. The first, in lieu of slowing, and hopefully eventually stopping, the possible outbreak, is to get global warming in check. Decrease your carbon footprint, decrease the greenhouse gasses you emit, and just treat our Mother Earth better in general.

The second, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!! Just because an illness has been deemed eradicated in the United States doesn't mean that it can't make a reappearance years later, and it could make an even bigger, grander entrance if we don't continue to vaccinate because we've gotten cocky in thinking we've beaten a disease that can never truly be beat.

Guess what? The longer people go without vaccinating against preventable diseases, the easier it will be for those diseases to kick our butts when they make their reappearance. Take measles, for instance, we thought they were eradicated in the early 2000's, and now here we are with outbreaks occurring frequently and fervently. When we take for granted our herd-immunity, we can get overzealous and we can lose our edge against the threat of returning diseases.

So, when we can't even beat diseases we thought were already eradicated through proper vaccination, what chance do we stand against pathogens that we don't know or expect and that we're not prepared for?

Global warming is scary enough as it is, what with rising sea levels, animal species rapidly falling towards extinction, and harmful rays from the sun beating down our atmospheric door, I don't know if we're ready for World War III against germs on top of all of that. So, let's not encourage the zombie-pathogen apocalypse, do your part, keep Mother Earth clean and let's get vaccinating, people!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

729
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

455
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199476
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20449
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments