The Swarm Effect: Climate Change and the Worsening of Pest Infestations, Part 2 of 3

In mid-2023 farmers in the Western United States faced dramatic outbreaks of Mormon crickets. On June 23, 2023, colossal clouds of Mormon crickets also invaded Nevada, causing mayhem as the insects spread across the state. On June 22, 2023, sightings of the giant African land snail were reported in Florida, USA. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services states that this species has the potential to cause “extensive damage to tropical and subtropical environments” while also presenting a “serious health risk to humans.” In June of 2023, reports emerged about the arrival of a new species of mosquito in Finland. The most drastic outbreak was recorded in Romania, where 800 suspected cases resulted in 17 deaths. In 2023, Peru has experienced the most severe dengue fever outbreak in its recorded history, with reports indicating that around 150,000 people have been infected, resulting in over 250 fatalities.

Scientists explain that rising temperatures allow mosquitoes to grow faster and live longer. “All insects are cold-blooded. So the hotter the weather, the easier they're going to repopulate, the faster the eggs will incubate. There is an increase, and that is just because of global warming; as you see, the days are hotter, we hit new records, and that really helps the insect population.”

All of these pest outbreaks have hazardous effects on both ecosystems and human health. Our Most Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan), has frequently spoken about how animal-people livestock raising is the leading cause of climate change. “Lush forests are being turned into barren fields at a rate of 36 football fields per minute – 36 football fields per minute! – of rainforest are being destroyed as we are speaking. If you can imagine how big that is, how detrimental that is to our world... the rainforest is the lungs of our planet; it’s the health of our co-citizens.”