I ran into a bunch of Canadian journalists at the conference today. They were
looking for people to review their podcast before
they uploaded it. I was happy to listen, but, as I told them when I
finished, I couldn't think of a thing to add.
It was startling to think about the way we use (I think a better phrase might be "abuse") fossil fuels.
I think we must be burning away our future.
IN IT TOGETHER
Mombasa, Kenya
I spent all day yesterday at the conference center. Even after the sessions ended, I stayed around and chatted
with anyone I could find.
One thing that surprised me: I was hearing the same problem
over and over again. Lyme disease, meningitis, cholera, West Nile virus, hanta virus,
avian flu ... so many countries were dealing with these diseases showing up in places
they had never been seen before, and showing up in huge numbers. The Kenyan mission
presented their story, too ... about malaria in their upland regions, just as Dr.
Pascual had said in her research.
I was surprised so many of us faced the same situation,
no matter where we lived.
I think that's one of the things Dr. Pascual wanted me realize. We're all in
this together. Together we need to find a
way
to do something
... and not tomorrow, but right now.
ABOUT ME
My name's Lindy and I'm glad you stopped by. I'm a junior in college, visiting
Kenya this mini-mester to try to get a handle on a question I've had for some
time. Everyone always talks about climate change and what's happening to our planet.
But what I want to see is some solid scientific proof. And I think I've found it.
You see, Dr. Mercedes Pascual, a theoretical ecologist at the University of Michigan,
has uncovered what I think is an important part of the puzzle. She’s charted data
about the mountainous regions of Africa that clearly show the climate there is changing.
As a result, the area has been overrun with mosquitoes that now find the mountain
climate suitable for them. And these mosquitoes are deadly. They are vectors (or
carriers) for malaria, a terrible disease that kills thousands of people every year.
I wanted to see the story first-hand. And I wanted other people to experience
it, too.
That’s why I’ve come to Kenya. And that’s why I’m doing this blog. More
LINKS
Check out these web sites to find out more about malaria,
climate change, and the connection between the two.
Malaria Foundation International.
Their mission is to help find solutions to the health, economic, and social problems
that malaria causes.
Center for Disease Control.
This page about malaria has tons
of news reports and information on this deadly disease.
Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA's super site on climate change can help you find out all kinds of
information about this global problem.
NOAA Climate Watch.
NOAA's "one-stop shopping"
site for all kinds of information about climate. Be sure to check out their global
climate dashboard on the front page!
U.S. Global Change Research Program.
An across-the-board
look at regions of the U.S. and what’s happening to their climates and the animals
and plants that live there.