California in the Dark Amidst Environmental Regulations

Californians are sweating, and in the dark as sweeping new environmental regulations, healthcare, and climate change contribute to rolling blackouts across the state. California is home to the world’s fifth-largest economy, boasting a GDP of more than 3.4 trillion USD. The state is occupied by more than 39 million people and accommodates more than 213 million people annually. 

This state has had its fair share of financial difficulties accommodating such large population sizes as global climate change continues to increase environmental pressures on the region’s resource accessibility. Many of California’s largest cities have suffered ongoing climate changes that have reduced accessible water, energy, and moderate temperatures. The majority of California’s resources are delegated to the densely populated lower two-thirds of the state, where problems were initially acknowledged more than 100 years ago when people started mass settling in the early 1900s. 

Sweeping environmental and renewable energy reforms over the last decade have put the state in a place where it can supply most of its energy needs with solar power during the day. However, the energy storage from the solar sources is insufficient to supply the large demographic at night and in the summer, leading to rolling blackouts and intermittent periods of energy shortages. These unfortunate events often happen during the summer when extremely high temperatures in the state's southern portion exacerbate high energy usage, often fueling high taxing air conditioning units in both the private and public sectors. 

The lack of adequate energy resources and continued climate change increasing environmental pressures on the region have forced lawmakers like California governor Gavin Newsom to sign bills facilitating the implementation of fossil fuel subsidies. The fossil fuel legislation contradicts many of the environmental principles California is slowly shifting toward as they move toward a green economy. The governor argues that the state’s use of fossil fuels is necessary and unavoidable as the current renewable sources do not have the facilities to accommodate the state’s needs effectively. He told reporters that these fossil fuel bills are simply buying time for the state’s residents until additional renewable storage facilities can be produced.

Proponents on the fossil fuel side of the debate argue that the governor’s new legislation proves the state needs to utilize already established oil and gas industries instead of completely switching prematurely to renewables before the industry is fully developed. Energy shortages can be extremely detrimental and even deadly, especially with summer temperatures often exceeding more than 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Environmental groups have also criticized the state’s decisions explaining there would have been adequate renewable storage facilities available in the state had moved faster to establish the industry amidst earlier concerns and initial environmental legislation. Many environmentalists also argue the new bills lack clearly observed limits to prevent fossil fuel expansion across the state, and reduced regulations on industry leader’s development protocols can significantly impact local environments. 

Building an electrical infrastructure will be an environmentally safe and effective method for reducing fossil fuel use. California is among the first states to lead the movement and the system’s complex logistical problems. There are many sides to the debate, but the current industry is not supplying enough energy for California residents and businesses. 

The Dangers of Public Wildlife Interactions in National Parks

National park officials and wildlife managers each year stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wildlife. Summer traffic causes wildlife encounters to be at an all-time high. Most wildlife encounters occur during the summer between May and September as more than 100 million visitors enter national parks across the United States. These parks host wildlife that can threaten human life, including snakes, mountain lions, moose, bison, bears, and wolves. Wildlife interactions only become dangerous when visitors disregard safety measures put in place by park officials, often getting too close while taking pictures for social media.

Many of these animals will only attack if someone invades their personal space. Far inside what national park officials recommend for safe viewing, a 25-year-old woman was gored to death by a bison in Yellowstone National Park after approaching the animal within less than 10 feet. The park officials stated the woman and two others were threatening the animal by coming within 25 feet, causing it to respond by stampeding and goring her to death. Witnesses stated the woman was tossed more than 10 feet into the air, while the two other people who also approached the animal escaped. 

The tragic encounter prompted officials to restate their recommended boundaries when encountering wildlife in hopes of preventing further interactions this season. Yellowstone officials recommend visitors stay at least 25 yards away when interacting with large animals like bison, deer, bighorn sheep, and elk. When interacting with predatory animals, they recommend maintaining more than 100 yards if possible to avoid deadly encounters with bears, wolves, and mountain lions.

The bison in Yellowstone park have injured more people than any other animal as they stand more than 6 feet tall, weigh more than 2,000 pounds, and can easily run three times faster than a human. They often graze in highly trafficked areas near roads and buildings, leading to more frequent close encounters than other types of wildlife—the bison population numbers more than 20,000 across the United States National Parks. High population densities in some parks have posed challenges for effectively managing human interactions, leading to proponents advocating for population control in certain park areas. 

Dangerous wildlife encounters occur every year in the national parks. Recent wildlife encounters this season have caused the same concerns as many national parks across the United States have begun enforcing daily reservations and timed entry tickets. Reservation implementation originated from efforts to limit the spread of covid amongst park visitors. Park officials are investigating all efforts to keep people safe and continue managing their wildlife.

Here are three safety tips to keep in mind if you venture out into the wilderness this summer. 

1. Do not feed the animals because this could lead to incitement resulting in small bites from even the smallest animals to an all-out predatory attack.

2. Do not pet or approach wild animals as they can be unpredictable and easily provoked.

3. Report close animal encounters to park officials so they can be attentive and monitor the animal's behavior. 

Monkeypox Silently Spreading Around the World

Officials are on high alert as monkeypox outbreaks continue to appear in various parts of the world. These new cases are particularly alarming because of the high transmissibility, and amidst the ongoing covid-19 pandemic still crippling many parts of global society. 

The Monkeypox virus is historically localized to western and central regions in Africa, but scientists think they have traced the current spread to an outbreak in 2017. The World Health Organization has recorded 643 cases in more than a dozen countries. The rapid outbreaks suggest the disease may have undetected transmission, allowing it to spread and appear simultaneously in different locations. The 2017 outbreak resulted in clusters of cases in Singapore, Africa, Israel, and the UK.

Other experts disagree with initial findings stating we do not know how long this virus has spread. Initially, it was thought the disease spread from direct contact with an infected animal like a rodent; however, reports now suggest there are sustained transmission events between humans and back to animals. The rapid transmission between humans and animals contributes to the inconclusive of the outbreak’s origins. If outbreaks continue expanding, it is likely to be transferred from humans into other wildlife populations outside infected regions, resulting in additional undetectable transmissions to larger global populations. 

Most historical breakouts of monkeypox ended after a short period of transmission between humans, while recent cases in new places and populations are cause for concern. The former 2017 cluster was prevalent in men and appeared as lesions on genitalia transmitted through sexual contact. The current outbreak appears as lesions on various parts of the body, and the sexual transmissibility of the disease is inconclusive and not fully understood. This virus is similar to smallpox but much less deadly with treatment. Poverty-stricken areas may experience higher rates of complications resulting in deaths due to the lack of accessible resources. 

The US Centers for Disease Control continues to monitor its spread because it is too early to understand its origins or long-term impacts fully. The response may escalate if it evolves into a human-born pathogen spreading directly to the immunocompromised, young, and elderly, where it will cause the most severe damage. Still, many people following the news coverage and disease investigations feel the stress, as daily life has only recently returned to a sense of normalcy.

If the covid-19 pandemic proved one thing, the world is poorly prepared to deal with any global disease outbreak. Humans have few options to prevent widespread outbreaks of highly transmissible diseases effectively. Officials not wanting a repeat of the global pandemic over the last two years are approaching these cautionary cases with the utmost urgency and attempting to instill measures to prevent another global catastrophe.

Young Mother’s Struggle Continues Amidst Dwindling Baby Formula

Major recalls from a top baby formula producer in the United States are causing a national crisis among young mothers trying to provide for their infants. The cause of this significant shortage of baby formula across the nation began in February as Abbott Nutrition started a voluntary recall in response to the death of two infants who contracted a bacterial infection after consuming their formula products. 

The bacterial infection is also responsible for hospitalizing at least two other infants and was traced back to the factory in Sturgis, Michigan. The Michigan factory was immediately shut down, and all production was halted as the company began a full-scale investigation into the cause of the contamination. The crisis began to spiral nationwide because baby formula production is only controlled by four main contributors: Abbott Nutrition, Reckitt Benckiser, Nestle USA, and Perrigo. Abbott is the largest producer, responsible for approximately half of the United State’s total formula production. 

As the situation continues and production has been unable to recontinue, many consumers and stores are seeing formula products absent from their shelves. By the first week of May, stores had already observed a 43 percent decrease in formula stock, and the declines continued. Mothers across the nation have responded to the shortage by stocking up on as much formula as possible. The struggle has forced families to drive long distances in search of the critical nutrients, causing further strife due to the inflated gas prices reaching more than $6 per gallon in states like California. 

The unfortunate overlapping of price inflation for gas has left many struggling families without many options. The crisis has disparagingly affected low-income families as Abbott is the predominant contractor for families receiving government assistance like Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The crisis also poses the most significant impact to at risk infants and vulnerable children that require specialized nutritional support. 

While there has yet to be any resurgence of supply to the market, families are trying their best to cope by diluting formulas, extending rations, and resulting in breastfeeding as much as possible. However, these resources are not available to every person as breastfeeding may not be a viable option for mothers with health conditions, adoptive parents, or infants with allergies. 

President Biden has planned to invoke the Defense Production Act, which would provide formula producers priority to vital ingredients and accelerate international shipping from suppliers. As far as Abbott’s production resolution, they have finally made agreements with the Food and Drug Administration to restart its factory operations at its large Michigan location. However, it may take up to two weeks before the production begins. Abbott has clarified that although its production is slated to start by the end of the month, it may take as long as two months before formula products reappear at stores across the country. 
While times still look bleak for young parents, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement among many guidelines and warnings that parents without any options can feed their babies until production begins again. So while the crisis is ongoing, there seems to be hope on the horizon and a plan to provide necessary resources as soon as possible.

Did You Know The Black Plague is Still Around?

Amidst the global pandemic and coronavirus outbreak these last few years, something not discussed often in the media is the continued presence of the black plague. Many people think the bubonic plague is a thing of the distant past, but that is not true, and there are reported cases every year. If you did not know it was still around, do not worry because it is unlikely to be the cause of any future pandemics due to advances in medical technology and our understanding of disease transmission. 

The bubonic plague, also known as the black death, originated in central Asia, where climate change forced many rodents out of grasslands into more populated areas. These rodents carried fleas infected with the Yersinia pestis bacteria responsible for the disease. The disease was spread through flea bites or exposure to an infected person’s open wounds. In the incredibly overcrowded cities across Europe, frequent exposure was widespread and aided the rapid spread of the disease. After being infected with the bubonic plague, a person could expect an 80 percent probability of mortality within eight days. 

The disease killed millions of Europeans during the middle ages of the mid-1300s. This disease spread rapidly through crowded cities of Europe, which were often extraordinarily unclean and full of rodents that quickly transmitted it to people. In the 1300s, very little was known about how diseases were transmitted, and there were few treatment options available to compromised people. This plague is responsible for the most significant death toll compared to any other epidemic throughout human history, killing between 75 to 200 million people worldwide. Those numbers are significant because the world population was around 370 million people and faced constant reductions by other factors like natural disasters, famines, and war. The people of Europe did not recover to their former status until almost 200 years later, in the 16th century. 

Symptoms from the bubonic plague caused a person to grow tumors around lymphatic systems in the neck, groin, and armpit. The tumors continued to spread, resulting in large blackening spots across a person’s body accompanied by fevers, vomiting blood, and ultimately death. Less common forms of the plague also appeared in pneumonic and septicaemic variations, killing their host even quicker with 90 to 100 percent mortality rates. Pneumonic plague symptoms infected the lungs leading to respiratory problems, fever, and cough. Septicaemic plague symptoms had a mortality rate close to 100 percent, progressing so rapidly the infected person may not have enough time even to develop the characteristic lymphatic tumors before death. 

Most people consider the black death to be an eradicated disease, but did you know it is still active, with hundreds of cases per year and isolated flare-ups around the world. The disease is still carried by prairie dogs, chipmunks, moles, squirrels, rabbits, and mice. Most modern cases of the bubonic plague occur in central Asia and Africa, but yearly cases are also reported from states across the southwestern United States. Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado have the highest reported cases in the US, with most deaths only occurring after complications from the disease or lack of treatment. 

The black death is best treated with antibiotics after 24 hours of exposure, but infected people can still make a complete recovery as long as they receive treatment. Fatalities usually only occur when the disease is left untreated. It can run its course carrying a 30 to 90 percent fatality rate compared to less than 10 percent with treatment. 

Understanding past pandemics and epidemics are vital for preparing for and treating future events. If the coronavirus mortality rates were similar to the bubonic plague, the world’s population would have been irreversibly damaged. For comparison, covid19’s case fatality rate is approximately 1.2 percent for the 497 million people that have contracted the disease, an almost minuscule statistic among the global population now totaling more than 7.9 billion people.