Big Picture Science - The Heat is On
After the winds and water of Typhoon Haiyan abated, grief and hunger
swept though the Philippines, along with the outbreak of disease. Are
monster storms the new normal in a warmer world? Some scientists say
yes, and if so, climate change is already producing real effects on
human life and health.
A hotter planet will serve up casualties from natural disasters, but
also higher rates of asthma, allergies and an increase in mosquito-borne
diseases. It is, according to one researcher, the greatest challenge
of our time, straining health care efforts worldwide. But could a
“medical Marshall Plan” save us?
Also, why the conservative estimates from the U.N.‘s climate change
group don’t help people prepare for worst-case scenarios. And, a
controversial approach to saving our overburdened planet: a serious
limit on population growth.
Guests:
Permalink:
http://radio.seti.org/episodes/The_Heat_is_OnYou
can listen to this and other episodes at
http://radio.seti.org/, and
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Blog Picture Science,
the companion blog to the radio show.