A team of scientists recently attempted to measure the variety of dangers posed by the thawing permafrost and warn dangerous bacteria and viruses could emerge, potentially harming both wildlife and humans. There’s reason to be wary of pathogens coming up from the ice. Over the summer, a team of scientists reported the discovery of 28 novel viruses in a glacier in Tibet. Besides their hardy profiles, these viruses and bacteria tend to be remote enough from humankind that our bodies may not be able to recognize them as threats I don't know if this permafrost melting is something to be concerned about or not, but it's something I will be alert to in the future. Hopefully it's nothing to be concerned about! Permafrost Thaw Could Unleash Long-Buried Pathogens and Radioactive Waste (msn.com)
Some really scary stuff out there. Smallpox while it has been eradicated worldwide could easily have survived in permafrost. Since it’s eradication 40 years ago vaccination has stopped leading to most of the worlds population being at risk. Smallpox has a death rate of 30% and only two labs keep any vaccine stocked. One in the USA and on in Russia.
The universe is an unfriendly place for humans. The fact that we're still here speaks volumes to hardiness. As humans, we adapt our surroundings to suit our purposes. But we'd do well to remember we are a part of the ecosystem as well.
I would say species like jellyfish, sharks, horseshoe crabs, etc. (the ones that have been here for 100's of millions years are hardy.) It's still too early to see how hardy we are but I will agree we have the ability like no other species to adapt.
its ridiculous, if its not one thing, its another, this old world has taken a beating and keeps coming back for more. We all take every thing for granted, and don't focus on the REAL things, GOD, FAMILY, and Country.
When was the time a scientist said maybe something good might happen? It's always something bad might happen.
Indeed! The whole anti science backlash just because what science has to say about pandemics or climate change doesn’t agree with you personally is a bit alarming and pretty stupid.
It's a possibility, without a doubt. But what if we get hit by a near earth asteroid? Or one bad decision leads the planet into nuclear war? Or the super volcano under Yellowstone could blow, plunging the planet into another ice age for millennia... There are an infinite number of calamities that could descend upon us during our finite time here on this pale blue dot.
Ah yes the old follow the money argument…it’s BS. Besides being a wholly circular argument which are inherently false, the argument can be made to support any position a person chooses to believe. Everyone gets paid by someone. So if one person is a “front” or a “promoter” because they are getting paid then everyone is. People who get paid to support a particular position are generally not very persuasive. Paying someone doesn’t work to change someone’s belief…don’t believe me…send me a pm and I’ll give you may address to send me some cash.
