Pirate's Cove

Mornin’, y’all. Jebediah Murphy here on another beautiful White Trash Wednesday. I reckon I gotta say, this story made me laugh, but not ha ha style

(CNSNews.com) – Microbiologists assembled in Toronto, Canada, Tuesday claimed that warmer temperatures, blamed on human activity, could spread infectious diseases like malaria and influenza – but other scientists have called that contention into question.

"As the Earth’s temperatures continue to rise, we can expect a significant change in infectious disease patterns around the globe," the American Society for Microbiology said in a statement. "Just exactly what those changes will be remains unclear, but scientists agree they will not be for the good."

"Environmental changes have always been associated with the appearance of new diseases or the arrival of old diseases in new places," Stephen Morse, director of public health preparedness at the Columbia University School of Public Health, told an American Society for Microbiology (ASM) general meeting in Toronto.

"One of the first indicators of rising global temperatures could be malaria climbing mountains," said Morse, noting that warmer temperatures could lead to an increase in the number of mosquitoes, which thrive in warm weather and may carry malaria.

"Something might happen! Run for the hills!!!!!!!!"

This is the worst kind of speculative hysteria. There was no science involved, no research, just simply speculation. I wonder if I should do what the global warming as caused by Man nuts do, and wonder who is paying Mr. Morse? Some extreme environmental lobbies? Na, I am not going to go there.

Interestingly enough, there are few reports of massive disease outbreaks during the Global Climate Optimum, around 800-1300 AD. That said, jump to the Little Ice age: I wonder if the terms "Black Death" and "bubonic plague" mean anything? Interestingly (though morbidly), the Black Death swept from Asia to Europe in the 1340’s, during the time when the climate was abruptly changing from a nice warm one, which allowed the Vikings to establish farming towns in Iceland, to a very cool one. A reported 75 million died. Around 1/3 of the European population.

The bubonic plague also returned several times during the 1600’s and 1700’s, while the Little Ice Age was still continuing.

The CDC has an article discussing malaria during the Little Ice Age. Apparently, it doesn’t just go away when the average temperatures go down. There are many other articles related to malaria in Europe, particularly the 1600 and 1700’s.

Now, to be fair, some have actually blamed the Little Ice Age on the Black Death, claiming that the CO2 in the air decreased dramatically due to all those deaths.

But most scientists, historians, and climatologists show the the temperatures started changing in the very early 1300’s. By 1310, wine growers in England were having to give it up, due to temps 2-3 (F) lower on average, and colder winters.

(Scientific American Frontiers) The cooler climate also affected the health of Europeans. Famine killed millions, and poor nutrition led to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases. Malnutrition aggravated an influenza epidemic in 1557-8 in England and hastened the spread of the bubonic plague throughout Europe. Cool, wet summers led to outbreaks of a bacterial illness called St. Anthony’s Fire — the afflicted would suffer convulsions, hallucinations, gangrene, and even death. Grain stored in cool, damp conditions could develop a fungus known as ergot blight that can ferment and produce a drug similar to LSD. According to some historians, the symptoms of ergot blight caused the Salem witch hysteria. The increase in marshy grounds in England during the 16th century promoted the breeding of mosquitoes and even led to the spread of malaria.

That’s some serious food for thought, eh?

Now, there have been bad disease outbreaks during the 1900’s, as well, including the massive Spanish Flu during 1918-1919. Disease can strike at any time. Some bacteria may propogate better in warmer climates. Some not. But to try and strike fear in people’s hearts by attempting to link greater disease with climate change is completely irresponsible. But, then, most of the global warming as caused by Man movement is irresponsible.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, DeMediacratic Nation, Adam’s Blog, The Amboy Times, Cao’s Blog, Colloquium, Conservative Cat, third world county, Wake Up America, stikNstein… has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Blue Star Chronicles, Planck’s Constant, The Pink Flamingo, Right Voices, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.