An End-of-Week Mindshare on Democracy
Climate change fuels pandemics by driving habitat loss, air pollution, and urbanization. Protecting forests, reducing emissions, and investing in clean energy can help prevent future outbreaks.
From our This is Democracy archive: Climate Change and the Pandemic
In this episode of This is Democracy, we explore the intersection of climate change, the pandemic, and public policy with one of the foremost experts in the field—Sheila Olmsted. A professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and a former senior economist for energy and environment in the White House, Sheila brings unparalleled insight into how these crises are shaping our world.
We attempt to untangle the disproportionate impact of both climate change and the pandemic on vulnerable communities, the political gridlock that hinders meaningful action, and the urgent need for collective responsibility. Zachary’s powerful poem, Fuelless, sets the stage for a conversation about our desensitization to crisis and the moral imperative to act before it’s too late.
Sheila reminds us that while the pandemic momentarily reduced emissions, the economic and social costs of such a shutdown prove that we need smarter, long-term climate policies. She also highlights the dangerous rise of anti-science rhetoric—whether in vaccine skepticism or climate denial—and its consequences for policy and governance.
Despite these challenges, there’s hope. Public opinion is shifting, young people are demanding action, and we still have the tools to mitigate the worst effects of climate change—if we choose to use them. Tune in for an essential conversation about the past, present, and future of environmental policy, and how democracy can rise to meet this existential challenge.
To read: Fevered Planet: How a Shifting Climate is Catalysing Infectious Disease
As our planet warms, it’s not just temperatures that are shifting—disease is on the move, too. Fevered Planet, the late John Vidal’s gripping exploration of climate change and infectious disease, uncovers how rising temperatures are driving animals—and the pathogens they carry—into new territories, creating unprecedented risks for humans, wildlife, and crops.
In the Arctic, melting ice is rewiring ecosystems, luring whales northward while ticks invade Alaskan mammals and strange new fungi attack crops in Japan. In Russia, a 2016 heatwave unearthed long-dormant anthrax from permafrost, infecting dozens. Scientists warn that thousands of ancient, frozen pathogens could be waiting to resurface as global temperatures climb. Daniel Brooks, a leading bacteriologist, cautions that climate change is a “multiplier,” accelerating pandemics by disrupting habitats and increasing human-wildlife contact. Viruses, once thought to be host-specific, are proving alarmingly adaptable, with new research predicting thousands of potential spillovers in coming decades, especially in biodiversity hotspots in Asia and Africa.
This isn’t just a climate crisis or a pandemic crisis—it’s an intertwined future of escalating threats. The question isn’t if new diseases will emerge, but when. As Vidal’s work warns, climate change is more than an environmental issue—it’s a global health emergency that we must address.
To read: How Climate Change is Fueling Disease Outbreaks
As the planet heats up, so does the risk of deadly disease, as this World Economic Forum explains. Climate change is expanding the reach of mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, and West Nile virus, bringing them to new regions where populations have little immunity. Research shows that by 2100, over a billion people could be living in malaria-endemic areas—including places where the disease was once unheard of.
But the threat goes beyond mosquitoes. Rising temperatures are pushing parasites and viruses into new habitats, infecting not just humans but also livestock. Diseases like bluetongue virus, once confined to subtropical regions, are now expected to spread across Africa, Russia, and the U.S. Meanwhile, extreme heat is affecting brain function, with scientists warning that our physiology is already at the edge of its tolerance.
The crisis isn’t just about disease—it’s about survival. Deforestation, wildlife trade, and permafrost thawing are unleashing unknown pathogens, increasing the risk of future pandemics. Scientists warn that health, climate, and biodiversity aren’t separate issues—they are deeply connected. The question isn’t whether climate change will bring new outbreaks, but how fast we can adapt before the next global health emergency strikes. Factual and eye-opening, this article is a helpful introduction into how climate change and global health are so closely related.
To listen: The Unusual Relationship Between Climate and Pandemics
What if climate change played a role in shaping the deadliest pandemics in history? In this episode of Third Pod from The Sun, hosts Lauren Lipuma and Liza Lester speak with historian and scientist Alex More, who explores the fascinating link between climate anomalies and major disease outbreaks—from the Spanish Flu to the Black Death.
More’s research reveals how an unusual six-year period of extreme rain and cold during World War I may have helped spread the Spanish Flu, possibly by altering the migration patterns of mallard ducks, which carried the virus. Shifting weather patterns didn’t just impact human health—they disrupted ecosystems, creating the perfect storm for disease transmission. The conversation then takes a surprising turn to the 14th century, when the Black Death wiped out up to 60% of Europe’s population. The pandemic halted industries, leading to an unexpected side effect: pollution levels plummeted to near-zero for the only time in recorded history. More sees parallels between past pandemics and today's climate crisis, arguing that moments of upheaval can also be opportunities for societal change. From ancient disease containment strategies to modern lessons in resilience, this episode reminds us that while history is filled with devastating pandemics, humanity has always adapted—and can do so again. Fascinating walk through history.
To watch: How Pandemics are Linked to Climate Change
This short video makes one thing abundantly clear: the COVID-19 pandemic was more than just a health crisis—it was a warning sign. The Los Angeles Times explores how deforestation, air pollution, and urbanization are creating the perfect storm for future pandemics by driving wildlife displacement, increasing human-animal contact, and weakening our immune systems. As we continue to destroy natural habitats, we’re also giving viruses more opportunities to jump between species, making deadly outbreaks like COVID-19 more likely. But there’s hope: The same solutions that combat climate change—reducing fossil fuel reliance, cutting air pollution, and protecting forests—can also help prevent future pandemics. Investing in clean energy and sustainable policies isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about protecting human health and ensuring a safer future for all.