European Investment Bank Will Stop Funding Fossil Fuel Projects by the End of 2020
The European Investment Bank building (left) across from the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. Westend61 / Getty Images
When the calendar turns over to 2021, fossil fuel companies won't have the European Investment Bank (EIB) to turn to for loans anymore. The EU's lending arm has decided to use its money to help stop the climate crisis by no longer funding fossil fuel projects and to ramp up its investments in clean energy, according to Bloomberg.
The EIB's plans will stop companies that rely on coal, oil or gas in their infrastructure projects from applying for funding. The move dovetails with the EU's sense of urgency in stopping the global climate crisis that has the continent sweltering this summer under record-setting temperatures. Besides the heat, European countries have also seen an increase in storms and floods linked to the climate crisis, which fossil fuels contribute to.
"These types of projects will not be presented for approval to the EIB Board beyond the end of 2020," said the EIB's strategy paper, as Reuters reported.
The EIB's strategy paper laid out its focus on long-term investments that aligns with the Paris agreement, which aims to cap a global rise in temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius above 1990 levels.
"This transition will be profound. Solidarity is required to ensure that potentially vulnerable groups or regions are supported," the report said, as The Guardian reported.
The bank plans to create an energy transitions fund to support projects that will help member states transition to cleaner energy. The strategy paper sets a markedly different strategy for the lender, which has heavily funded fossil fuel projects for the past six decades, including the Transadriatic gas pipeline and oil storage facilities in Cyprus.
The move away from fossil fuels comes after a growing wave of pressure bearing down on financial institutions to cut their ties to projects that increase greenhouse gas emissions.
In June, for example, 80 civil society organizations and academics published an open letter to the EIB demanding that it end its fossil fuel financing, which was nearly $3 billion in 2018. The letter accused the bank of "lagging behind the science" underpinning the climate crisis, according to The Guardian.
Environmental activists praised the EIB's plan.
"The EIB's proposal to end financing for fossil fuels by 2020 is a massive step forward in climate leadership," said Alex Doukas, from Oil Change International, as The Guardian reported. "With this move, the world's largest multilateral lender is now poised to leave oil, gas and coal in the past. The EU member states who control the bank must now stand behind the EIB's ambitious climate vision, and other financial institutions should quickly follow suit to stop funding fossils."
Colin Roche, a campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe called the proposal is "a crack of light in the darkness," as The Guardian reported. "While the EU and national governments are floundering as the planet burns, the EU's public bank has made the brave, correct and just proposal to stop funding fossil fuel projects. We are now urging the European Investment Bank's board to endorse this step forward, and ensure there are no loopholes for fossil fuel funding."
The EIB board, which is made up mostly of EU finance ministers, will discuss the proposals at a meeting in September, though a final decision could take longer, according to Reuters.
EU Aims to Tackle Climate Change With Newly Adopted 'Green Finance' Guidelines https://t.co/9kMKRXWoRo #Climatechange #Sustainability #Renewableenergy pic.twitter.com/dHRPInykCX
— Renewable Search (@RenewableSearch) June 19, 2019
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The Yersinia pestis bacteria causes bubonic plague in animals and humans. Illustration based on light microscope image At 1000x. BSIP / UIG Via Getty Images
A herdsman in the Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia was diagnosed with the bubonic plague Sunday, The New York Times reported.
<p>The Bayannur city health commission confirmed the diagnosis and issued a third-level alert, the second from the bottom in a four-level system. Mongolian health authorities are also investigating a second suspected case involving a 15 year old who developed a fever after coming into contact with a marmot that had been hunted by a dog, China's Global Times tweeted.</p>
<div id="ca97d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c0d3acda528ec4db7145434d4e65ab83"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1280031821980303360" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">#Mongolia discovered another suspected patient infected with the bubonic plague. The 15-year-old patient had a feve… https://t.co/AHQBW0KH1X</div> — Global Times (@Global Times)<a href="https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/statuses/1280031821980303360">1594018342.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>"At present, there is a risk of a human plague epidemic spreading in this city. The public should improve its self-protection awareness and ability, and report abnormal health conditions promptly," the local health authority said, according to <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202007/05/WS5f01d743a310834817257493.html" target="_blank">China Daily</a>.</p><p>The bubonic plague caused the Black Death that killed around 50 million people in Africa, Asia and Europe during the 14th century, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-asia-china-53303457" target="_blank">BBC News</a>. But <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/public-health" target="_self">public health</a> experts say it is unlikely to give the new <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_self">coronavirus</a> a run for its money as a global pandemic.</p><p>"Unlike in the 14th Century, we now have an understanding of how this disease is transmitted," Stanford Health Care infectious disease physician Dr. Shanti Kappagoda told Heathline, according to BBC News. "We know how to prevent it. We are also able to treat patients who are infected with effective antibiotics."</p>
<p>Bubonic plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium which is spread from infected rodents to humans by fleas, according to The New York Times. In Inner Mongolia, the rodents in question are usually marmots, and the health alert put in place by Bayannur health officials warns against eating, hunting or transporting potentially infected animals and urges people to report diseased or dead rodents. The alert will remain in place till the end of the year, according to BBC News.</p><p>The plague comes in two forms, according to The New York Times: bubonic and pneumonic. The latter is consistently fatal if left untreated and can be spread person to person via respiratory droplets. The bubonic plague is fatal 30 to 60 percent of the time if not treated. Antibiotics can cure it if administered early.</p><p>Symptoms of bubonic plague include swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills and coughing, according to <a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/07/06/asia/china-mongolia-bubonic-plague-intl-hnk-scli-scn/index.html?__twitter_impression=true" target="_blank">CNN</a>. Pneumonic plague infects the lungs.</p>
<p>The plague in both its forms is an example of how the exploitation of nature and the consumption of wild animals <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/nature-destruction-pandemics-2646191121.html" target="_self">can put humans at risk from deadly pathogens</a>. A 1911 pneumonic plague epidemic in northeast China, which killed around 63,000 people, is believed to have been spread by the trade in marmot fur. Last week, two brothers in Mongolia caught bubonic plague from marmot meat, and a couple in Mongolia died of the plague after eating marmot kidney last May.</p><p>Worldwide, the plague infects 1,000 to 2,000 people a year, according to World Health Organization data reported by CNN, though that is likely an underestimate.</p><p>An average of seven cases are reported every year in the U.S., <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/plague/faq/index.html#cases" target="_blank">according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p>
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Plant pathologist Carolee Bull works in her home garden in State College, Pennsylvania. Carolee Bull, CC BY-ND
By Matt Kasson, Brian Lovett and Carolee Bull
Home gardening is having a boom year across the U.S. Whether they're growing their own food in response to pandemic shortages or just looking for a diversion, numerous aspiring gardeners have constructed their first raised beds, and seeds are flying off suppliers' shelves. Now that gardens are largely planted, much of the work for the next several months revolves around keeping them healthy.
<p>Contrary to the <a href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/6-7.htm" target="_blank">Biblical adage</a>, we do not necessarily reap what we sow. As researchers specializing in <a href="https://www.davis.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/directory/matthew-kasson" target="_blank">plant</a> <a href="https://plantpath.psu.edu/directory/ctb14" target="_blank">pathology</a> and <a href="https://www.lovettbr.com/about" target="_blank">entomology</a>, we have devoted our careers to understanding and managing plant pests and pathogens. We are also gardeners with varying levels of experience and have seen firsthand the damage these insects and disease-causing agents can inflict.</p><p>Plant health is essential for seeing your garden succeed all the way to harvest. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2020 as the <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/members/engagement/IYPH2020/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">International Year of Plant Health</a> to help bring needed attention to pests and diseases that threaten global food production.</p><p>Thousands of pests and pathogens are known to target commercial crops, but a few usual suspects are routinely responsible for havoc in gardens across the U.S. Although each organism's preferences vary, a few common tactics can help you detect them and protect your plants.</p>
Start With Prevention
<p>Just as preventive steps like maintaining a balanced diet help keep humans healthy, home growers can take many actions to help their gardens thrive.</p><p>One key step is assessing soil fertility – the ability of soil to sustain plant growth – which can vary widely depending on your location and soil type. Low soil fertility limits food production and predisposes plants to disease and pests. University extension <a href="https://soiltesting.wvu.edu/" target="_blank">soil testing labs</a> can help evaluate the quality of garden soil and identify nutrient deficiencies and acidic soils, often at no charge.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzQzNzU0Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzE2MTA4MX0.TMP1j2YhGRmeSglNZ3bYQd-4ckRdv6WVB0yC0D48eus/img.jpg?width=980" id="e50c3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d73f4dd41b07cd5c3451a01298aabc76" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Using weed barrier landscape cloth for planting rows and mulching between rows is an effective way to suppress weeds. Matt Kasson, CC BY-ND
<p>Suppressing weeds, either through mulching or weeding by hand each week, increases air flow and reduces humidity around garden plants, making it harder for pests and pathogens to thrive. Weed control ensures that nutrients are available for the plants you want to grow.</p><p>Proper spacing between plants is also important. Crowding can contribute to disease and pest outbreaks, so check and follow recommendations on seed packs or online as you add and move plants throughout the season. You can always cull plants after they come up to help with spacing. In small gardens, fewer plants that are properly supported can produce a bigger harvest than many overcrowded plants.</p><p>And then there's the weather. Frost, hail, drought and flooding all pose unique risks to plants. Inconsistent rainfall can kill thirsty plants more quickly than infertile soils. Both too little and too much water will stress plants and can make them more vulnerable to severe pest and pathogen outbreaks.</p><p>A general rule of thumb is to follow a consistent daily watering regimen – preferably first thing in the morning – and to avoid over-watering, which can encourage root pathogens in soil.</p>
Diagnosing Problems
<p>Common plant pathogens include <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/viral/introduction/Pages/PlantViruses.aspx" target="_blank">viruses</a>, <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/prokaryote/intro/Pages/Bacteria.aspx" target="_blank">bacteria</a>, <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/nematode/intro/Pages/IntroNematodes.aspx" target="_blank">nematodes</a>, <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/oomycete/introduction/Pages/IntroOomycetes.aspx#:%7E:text=The%20oomycetes%2C%20also%20known%20as,foliar%20blights%20and%20downy%20mildews." target="_blank">oomycetes</a> and <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/fungalasco/intro/Pages/IntroFungi.aspx" target="_blank">fungi</a>. All of these microorganisms, especially at an early stage of infection, are too small to see. But when they proliferate, they cause changes in plants that we can recognize.</p><p>Unlike insects, which move around on six legs or on wings through the air, pathogens can move unseen and unchecked from leaf to leaf on the wind, through the soil or in droplets of water. Some microbes have even formed intimate relationships with insects and use them as vehicles to move from plant to plant, which makes these pathogens even more challenging to manage. Unfortunately, by the time some pathogens make their presence known, the damage is already done.</p><p>We recently conducted a <a href="https://twitter.com/kasson_wvu/status/1265989041725624323" target="_blank">Twitter poll</a> of gardeners nationwide to find out which culprits plagued their gardens. People named <a href="https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/aphids" target="_blank">aphids</a>, <a href="https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/squash-vine-borer" target="_blank">squash vine borers</a>, <a href="https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/squash-bug" target="_blank">squash bugs</a> and <a href="https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flea-beetle" target="_blank">flea beetles</a> as the most problematic insect pests. Their most troublesome pathogens included <a href="https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/plant-disease/fruit-vegetable-diseases/powdery-mildew" target="_blank">powdery mildew</a>, <a href="https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/rsol/Trainingmodules/BWTomato_Module.html" target="_blank">tomato bacterial wilt</a> and <a href="https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/plant-disease/fruit-vegetable-diseases/downy-mildew" target="_blank">cucurbit downy mildew</a>.</p><p>To manage such perennial challenges, the first step is to spend time closely looking at your plants. Do you notice any insects consistently hanging around, or molds colonizing leaves or other plant parts? How about symptoms such as blight, stunting, or leaves that are yellowing, browning or wilting?</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzQzNzU1MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzAzNjI3NX0.YMze8ypLJeMta1zj22z2Ol0gLeOaKPzuJUXAJDGMkWw/img.jpg?width=980" id="a7f6e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="21b23fe729f14504c8177a38ae257301" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
This white fungal growth is an early sign of powdery mildew on a leaf of susceptible summer squash. Matt Kasson, CC BY-ND
<p>There are countless resources online for keen-eyed and curious gardeners looking to identify and manage pests and diseases. Try uploading a photo to the <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank">iNaturalist app</a> or a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/StateCollegeGardens/?multi_permalinks=600704970572066%2C600705577238672%2C600746833901213%2C600249863950910%2C599671614008735&notif_id=1593225594524195&notif_t=group_activity&ref=notif" target="_blank">Facebook gardeners group</a> that can offer a community-sourced ID. Plant disease clinics in your state will also diagnose plant damage from diseases and pests <a href="https://www.npdn.org/home" target="_blank">for free or at low cost</a>.</p><p>Once you've identified a problem serious enough to intervene, the land grant extension system can provide solutions. Extension programs at land grant schools like <a href="https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests" target="_blank">West Virginia University</a> and <a href="https://extension.psu.edu/insects-pests-and-diseases" target="_blank">Penn State University</a> offer critical information on agriculture and management of pests and diseases in multiple languages for commercial and home growers.</p><p>Their resources include information on safe and proper use of <a href="https://extension.wvu.edu/agriculture/farm-management/pesticide-education" target="_blank">pesticides</a> as part of <a href="https://www.entsoc.org/sites/default/files/files/Science-Policy/ESA-Factsheet-IPM.pdf" target="_blank">integrated pest management</a> strategies. This approach employs pesticides in a targeted way along with non-chemical control methods and <a href="https://landscapeipm.tamu.edu/what-is-ipm/ipm-practices/cultural-practices/#:%7E:text=In%20IPM%2C%20cultural%20and%20physical,watering%2C%20nutrient%20management%2C%20etc." target="_blank">cultural practices</a>, such as choosing native plants. Our professional societies, including the <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">American Phytopathological Society</a>, also offer <a href="https://www.apsnet.org/apsstore/pages/oncompendia.aspx" target="_blank">a compendium series</a> to help users diagnose and treat pests and diseases.</p>
<div id="e9449" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="180afa5785eb73e78677137f4f7a6e44"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1278028757362790400" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Sow seed for fall transplants of broccoli, kale, turnip, and cauliflower in flats or containers by the 3rd to 4th w… https://t.co/i3chrkKCj0</div> — Montgomery County Master Gardeners - Maryland (@Montgomery County Master Gardeners - Maryland)<a href="https://twitter.com/mcmgmd/statuses/1278028757362790400">1593540775.0</a></blockquote></div><p>Those who are serious about learning and sharing their experience with others may want to consider <a href="https://mastergardener.extension.org/" target="_blank">Master Gardener programs</a>, which train and certify community members on the latest evidence-based gardening techniques, tailored to their growing area. Master Gardeners pay it forward by training new Master Gardeners and answering questions for any gardener.</p><p>Plant pests are a daily reminder that gardens do not exist in a vacuum, and gardeners shouldn't struggle alone either. Joining the gardening community takes attentiveness and time, but we believe the investment required to become an active member of your local gardening community is well worth it. With experience, the nervous tightrope act of keeping pests at bay and food on the table becomes a delicate dance that can help us appreciate where our food comes from – and ultimately, our place in the global ecosystem.</p>
<p>
<em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matt-kasson-1024196" target="_blank">Matt Kasson</a> is an </em><em>Associate Professor of Plant Pathology and Mycology, West Virginia University.</em>
</p><p>
<em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brian-lovett-1032419" target="_blank">Brian Lovett</a> is a </em><em>Postdoctoral Researcher in Mycology, West Virginia University.</em>
</p><p>
<em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/carolee-bull-1106097" target="_blank">Carolee Bull</a> is a </em><em><em>Professor of Plant Pathology and Systematic Bacteriology, Pennsylvania State University.</em></em>
</p><p>
<em><em></em>Disclosure statement: </em><em>Matt Kasson receives funding from USDA and The Ohrstrom Foundation. </em><em>Carolee Bull receives funding from the USDA and from the mushroom industry, and matching funds from seed companies for her research projects. </em><em><em>Brian Lovett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</em></em>
</p><p>
<em><em></em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-manage-plant-pests-and-diseases-in-your-victory-garden-139545" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.</em>
</p><p>
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Hotter temperatures have been linked to a rise in energy poverty, with more people struggling to meet their energy bills from their household income. Flickr / CC by 2.0
By Emma Charlton
The effects of climate change may more far-reaching than you think.
Hotter temperatures have been linked to a rise in energy poverty, with more people struggling to meet their energy bills from their household income, according to a new study published on ScienceDirect by researchers from Italy's Ca' Foscari University.
<p><br/></p>
<p class=""><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/air-conditioners-inequality-energy-poverty-climate-change/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.</em></p>
<div id="8d41e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a5ee84b11a5a425f469fc093daeab875"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1270064316817997825" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">New #research shows households spend a lot more on electricity when they get air conditioning. Along with… https://t.co/ShIZ7Bi7P3</div> — American Scientist (@American Scientist)<a href="https://twitter.com/AmSciMag/statuses/1270064316817997825">1591641904.0</a></blockquote></div><p>The analysis looks at eight countries – Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland – and investigates how households respond to excess heat. They have found an uptick on the purchasing and use of air conditioners, which has led to a greater consumption of electricity, and a greater proportion of income being spent on energy.</p>
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzQzNzQ2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDk1MDMyNX0.kFugb6OJcL71VsABpixfGK-e5FZNdTfMBYG56Jxnw5g/img.jpg?width=980" id="aa380" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3a4bf99c4bd409c58fe037ba8d887d20" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Value of air conditioning imports in selected OECD countries. ScienceDirect
<p>Households spend between 35% and 42% more on electricity when they adopt air conditioning, the study says.</p><p>As temperatures increase around the world, cooling is emerging as a new, basic need – even in countries that traditionally have not previously required such appliances.</p><p>That puts an additional burden on families who might not be able to afford the most efficient appliances and could result in spending being diverted away from food or education towards cooling, the researchers write.</p><p>"Climate change and the growing demand for air conditioning are likely to exacerbate energy poverty," the study says. "The number of energy poor who spend a high share of income on electricity increases, and households in the lowest income" groups are the most negatively affected.</p><p>Energy poverty is an issue that goes beyond air conditioning, with 800 million people lacking access to electricity and many more struggling with an erratic and limited service.</p>
The ‘Golden Thread’
<p>The <a href="https://www.endenergypoverty.org/reports" target="_blank">Global Commission to End Energy Poverty</a> calls access to energy the "golden thread" that weaves together economic growth, human development, and environmental sustainability. And one of the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/archive/sdg-07-affordable-and-clean-energy" target="_blank">United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals</a> is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.</p><p>Sustainability also has a large role to play in the future of energy and failing to embed green policies in COVID-19 stimulus packages and underinvesting in green infrastructure are current risks, according to the <a href="http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_COVID_19_Risks_Outlook_Special_Edition_Pages.pdf" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>.</p><p>In its vision for a 'Great Reset' – building a better world after the pandemic – the Forum and the IMF jointly backed the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-economy-imf-georgieva-great-reset-climate/" target="_blank">transition to a green economy</a> and called for an end to fossil fuel subsidies.</p>
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Naegleria fowleri (commonly referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba") is a free-living microscopic amoeba (single-celled living organism). Centers for Disease Control
As if the surging cases of coronavirus weren't enough for Floridians to handle, now the state's Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that a person in the Tampa area tested positive for a rare brain-eating amoeba, according to CBS News. The Florida DOH posted a warning to residents to remind them of the dangers of the rare single-celled amoeba that attacks brain tissue.
<p>The amoeba is known, scientifically, as <em>Naegleria fowleri</em>. Only four people have survived <em>Naegleria fowleri</em> in the U.S. between 1962 and 2016, out of 143 who contracted the disease, as <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/florida-brain-eating-amoeba-warning-naegleria-fowleri-a9603026.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a> reported. There have been only 37 cases reported in Florida since 1962, which makes up nearly 26 percent of all instances in the U.S.</p><p><em>Naegleria fowleri</em> is typically found in warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers and ponds. The Florida DOH has cautioned people who swim in those freshwater sources to be aware of the amoeba's possible presence, particularly when the water is warm, according to CNN.</p><p>The DOH did not disclose where in Hillsborough County the patient had contracted the amoeba, nor the patient's condition, according to The Independent.</p>
<p>The amoeba's deadly effects happen when it causes a rare infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which destroys brain tissue and is usually fatal, according to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/health/brain-eating-amoeba-infection-florida-rare-hillsborough-county-health" target="_blank">Fox News</a>.</p><p>"Infections can happen when contaminated water enters the body through the nose," the DOH said in its letter.</p><p>After the amoeba enters the nose through contaminated water, it then travels to the brain where it causes PAM, according to health officials.</p>
<p>"Infections usually occur when temperatures increase for prolonged periods of time, which results in higher water temperatures and lower water levels," health officials stated in their letter.</p><p>Health officials recommend using a nose plug, pinching your nose or keeping your head above water to avoid the amoeba. They also recommend avoiding water where conditions are ripe for the amoeba to thrive, such as warm freshwater around power plants and shallow fresh water during periods of high water temperature.</p><p>"Adverse health effects on humans can be prevented by avoiding nasal contact with the waters, since the amoeba enters through nasal passages," the DOH said, as CNN reported.</p>
<p>As CNN pointed out, the ancient tradition of treating congested sinuses with a neti pot can also increase the risk of infection.</p><p>"Use only boiled and cooled, distilled, or sterile water for making sinus rinse solutions for neti pots or performing ritual ablutions," the DOH said.</p><p>It is also possible to contract the amoeba in swimming pools that are not properly chlorinated. Since it's only contracted through the nose, there is no chance of developing PAM from drinking it, according to CBS News.</p><p>As CBS News noted, the typical symptoms of a <em>Naegleria fowleri</em> infection include severe frontal headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. Later symptoms include stiff neck, seizures, altered mental status, hallucinations and coma.</p>
<p>Signs of infection typically start a few days after swimming or other nasal exposure to contaminated water. People usually die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin.</p><p>"It is essential to seek medical attention right away, as the disease progresses rapidly after the start of symptoms," the health department said.</p><p>The DOH added that "this disease is rare and effective prevention strategies can allow for a safe and relaxing summer swim season," as The Independent reported.</p>
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Health + Wellness
Scientists are urging the WHO to revisit their coronavirus guidance to focus more on airborne transmission and less on hand sanitizer and hygiene. John Lund / Photodisc / Getty Images
The World Health Organization (WHO) is holding the line on its stance that the respiratory droplets of the coronavirus fall quickly to the floor and are not infectious. Now, a group of 239 scientists is challenging that assertion, arguing that the virus is lingering in the air of indoor environments, infecting people nearby, as The New York Times reported.
<p>The idea that the virus lingers in the air may explain why the virus is finding new victims to infect in clusters as people visit bars, restaurants, gyms and casinos worldwide.</p><p>In an open letter to the WHO, 239 scientists from 32 countries outlined the evidence that proves smaller particles can infect people, and are calling for the agency to revise its recommendations. The researchers plan to publish their letter, titled "It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of COVID-19," in a scientific journal this week, according to The New York Times. The paper will be published in <em>Clinical Infectious Diseases</em>, according to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/coronavirus-airborne-spread-world-health-organization/2020/07/05/9de19c38-bed8-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a>.</p>
<p>"We are aware of the article and are reviewing its contents with our technical experts," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said in an email reply to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-airborne/hundreds-of-scientists-say-coronavirus-is-airborne-ask-who-to-revise-recommendations-nyt-idUSKBN2460O7" target="_blank">Reuters</a> request for comment.</p><p>However, as recently as last Monday, the WHO <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC-2020.4" target="_blank">published guidelines</a> on stopping the spread of the virus in healthcare facilities that said airborne transmission of the virus is possible only after medical procedures that produce aerosols, or droplets smaller than 5 microns, or 5 millionths of a meter.</p><p>The fact that scientists resorted to a paper to pressure the WHO is unusual, analysts said to The Washington Post. It is likely to renew questions about the WHO's messaging.</p>
<p>"WHO's credibility is being undermined through a steady drip-drip of confusing messages, including asymptomatic spread, the use of masks, and now airborne transmission," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University who provides technical assistance to the WHO.</p><p>Gostin did compliment the WHO for hosting regular briefings, noting that the organization is in a tricky situation because it "has to make recommendations for the entire world and it feels it needs irrefutable scientific proof before coming to a conclusion."</p><p>And yet, he sees the writing on the wall that "the public, and even scientists, will lose full confidence in WHO without clearer technical guidance," as The Washington Post reported.</p>
<p>The signatories of the letter do not think their letter should raise panic. Instead, it should make the WHO revisit their guidance to focus more on respiratory aspects of the virus and less on hand sanitizer and hygiene.</p><p>"There is no reason for fear. It is not like the virus has changed. We think it has been transmitted this way all along," said Jose Jimenez, a chemist at the University of Colorado who signed the paper, as The Washington Post reported. "Knowing about it helps target the measures to control the pandemic more accurately."</p><p>Jimenez added that the scientists' purpose in writing the letter was not to hurt the WHO, but merely to encourage it to consider new information.</p><p>"Our group of scientists doesn't want to do anything that would undermine the WHO as an organization," he said. "We only want it to adapt its guidance on aerosol transmission to the increasing evidence."</p>
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Along the northern shores of the Gulf of Mexico, oysters live in coastal estuaries where saltwater and freshwater meet and mix. Flickr / CC by 2.0
Along the northern shores of the Gulf of Mexico, oysters live in coastal estuaries where saltwater and freshwater meet and mix.
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<p>LaDon Swann of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium says the shellfish require water that's salty, but not too salty.</p><p>"So it's kind of like Goldilocks. … You know, an oyster's really looking for that perfect location," he says. "When they find that water that's just right, that's where they make their home."</p><p>But climate change is throwing off that balance. When heavy rain falls, too much freshwater may flow from the Mississippi River into the oyster reefs.</p>
<p>"Oysters can survive that for a short period of time, but if it goes beyond just a few days, then it affects their health, and ultimately you see mass mortalities of oysters because of the freshwater inflow," Swann says.</p><p>On the other hand, when there's not enough rain, the water around oyster beds gets too salty. That allows saltwater predators – such as a snail called the oyster drill – to enter oyster habitat.</p><p>This snail can make a hole in the oyster's shell, suck it out, and digest it.</p><p>So Swann says as climate change causes precipitation extremes at both ends of the spectrum, wild Gulf Coast oysters may lose the "just right" Goldilocks zone they need to thrive.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/07/increasingly-extreme-weather-could-wreak-havoc-on-wild-gulf-coast-oysters/" target="_blank"><em>Yale Climate Connections.</em></a><a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/r/entryeditor/2646348638#/" target="_self"></a></p>From Your Site Articles
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Japan Self-Defense Forces and police officers join rescue operations at a nursing home following heavy rain in Kuma village, Kumamoto prefecture on July 5, 2020. STR / JIJI PRESS / AFP / Getty Images
Scores of people remained stranded in southern Japan on Sunday after heavy rain the day before caused deep flooding and mudslides that left at least 34 people confirmed or presumed dead.
<p>Floodwaters from the Kuma River inundated many houses, buildings and vehicles, causing people to climb onto roofs and wait for rescue.</p><p>More than 40,000 soldiers, coast guard personnel and fire brigades are taking part in search and rescue operations.</p>
Care Home Inundated
<p>Altogether 16 residents at an elderly care home in Kuma Village are presumed dead after the facility was flooded by water and mud.</p><p>Fifty-one other residents have been rescued by boats and taken to hospitals for treatment, officials said.</p><p>Eighteen other people elsewhere have been confirmed dead, while more than a dozen others were still missing as of Sunday afternoon.</p><p>The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said many others were still waiting to be rescued from other inundated areas.</p><p>Hitoyoshi City was also badly affected by flooding, as rains in the prefecture exceeded 100 millimeters (4 inches) per hour at their height.</p>More Rain Forecast
<p>The disaster in the Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island is the worst natural catastrophe since Typhoon Hagibis in October last year, which cost the lives of 90 people.</p><p>Although residents in Kumamoto prefecture were advised to evacuate their homes following the downpours on Friday evening into Saturday, many people chose not to leave for fear of contracting the coronavirus.</p><p>Officials say, however, that measures are in place at shelters to prevent the transmission of the disease.</p><p>More rain is predicted in the region, and the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of the danger of further mudslides.</p>From Your Site Articles
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