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

In mid-June 2023, an alarming sight unfolded as hundreds of thousands of locusts descended upon the crop fields in northern Afghanistan. The UN is preparing for the worst. Dr. Richard Trenchard says, “A full outbreak this year could result in crop losses ranging from 700,000 to 1.2 million metric tons of wheat – up to a quarter of the total annual harvest.” And on July 13, 2023, Belgium experienced a massive surge of flies that led to disruptions in both communities and food-related establishments. Public warnings have been issued in the UK, advising people to steer clear of hairy or spiky caterpillars like that of the oak processionary moth. On April 22, 2023, it was reported that approximately 255 people fell ill after coming into close contact with clusters of these toxic caterpillars. On July 24, 2023, Colorado beetles were discovered devastating potato crops in Kent, UK. In addition to devastating potato farms, beetles have wreaked havoc on oak trees across various regions in the United States and parts of Canada. The worst outbreak of its kind in recorded history, and it's all due to an insect about the size of a grain of rice, the mountain pine beetle. “It's killed about 47 million hectares; it's an unprecedented event.” “What we're seeing now is much more frequent outbreaks, larger outbreaks. Climate change is what has driven the spread.”

Our Most Gracious Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan), has frequently spoken about the urgent need to mitigate climate change as our planet's temperature increases, and the only solution is for us to adopt the vegan lifestyle. “We have to act now for all of humanity. Because along with our own survival and health, there is an entire planet that is in trouble, and everyone needs to be vegan to save it. […] We face a very dangerous future if global warming continues.”