Melting glaciers
The glaciers on our planet are not just a source of fresh water, and their melting does not only bring the risk of rising sea levels. These great masses of ice can also preserve living organisms, bacteria and viruses for a long time.
Global warming can cause new epidemics and pandemics
Global warming can cause new epidemics and pandemics. One of the main causes could be the melting of glaciers. Indeed, permafrost (ground that stays frozen all year round) is starting to thaw all over the world because of climate change. This thawing process can release bacteria and viruses that have been frozen for thousands of years, potentially leading to infectious diseases not normally present, against which there is no immunisation or even a cure.
This is a serious concern for public health worldwide, and experts are trying to understand better how to tackle this threat.
These bacteria could be extremely harmful to the Earth's ecosystem, as they have not been exposed to the external environment for a very long time. They could cause disease in animals and plants, as well as in humans.
It is therefore important to monitor this situation closely, so that we can intervene promptly if problems arise.
