The takeaway message:
As summer rolls around, warmer weather could play a role in the fate of COVID-19, but scientists caution that more data is needed to better understand the unpredictable future. Important lessons learned from the pandemic can help inform efforts to curb climate change.
What’s going on?
As officials, researchers and communities ponder COVID-19, perhaps the number one thought on everyone’s mind is, “When will this end?”
Some scientists say there’s hope, especially in Florida, that a hot and humid summer may strangle the virus’s fervent spread. But, a study by researchers at Harvard University recently published in the journal Science is less optimistic. In each of their models, warm weather did not seem to halt the spread. Other scientists suspect that population density, or how close people live to each other, is the biggest factor. So while Florida is already setting heat records this year, experts warn that there isn’t sufficient evidence to know if the heat will halt the virus, and suspect social distancing measures will still be necessary in the coming months.
Just as the effects of seasonal fluctuation on COVID-19 are being speculated, so are the impacts of COVID-19 on the environment. While the environment is already experiencing some changes from the lack of human activities, like more sea turtles nesting on beaches, officials predict they may be temporary.
Why it matters.
Some lessons learned from the current pandemic could be used to inform efforts to curb climate change, which continues to threaten Florida. For example, in the past few months, international organizations have led programs to coordinate COVID-19 public health messaging, response efforts and social distancing guidelines. Just like fighting a pandemic, tackling climate change will require the same kind of global cooperation.
Climate change, like COVID-19, will also cause significant economic damage and threaten human lives, and livelihoods. Thinking proactively and taking action quickly may help reduce the economic and human health hardships associated with climate change.
Finally, COVID-19 has reminded us that accurate and reliable science is key to making informed decisions. The same is true with climate change. Research in diverse fields — from energy to food science to public policy — can help us best understand how to mitigate some climate change effects and adapt to others.
What can I do?
- Protect yourself against COVID-19 with advice from the World Health Organization.
- Reduce litter by disposing of your face masks and gloves properly.
- Stay informed with the number of COVID cases in Florida.
Learn more:
- About the basics of climate change with NASA’s Climate Kids website.
- About Florida’s climate trajectory from our state climatologist.
- About climate science and how the data is collected.
Other noteworthy Climate Responsibility and Natural Hazards news:
- FL’s First Climate Change Bill Goes to the Governor; No More Tax Dollars for Projects Threatened by Sea Level Rise
- Ordering from a local store can curb online shopping’s CO₂ emissions
- Public Land Under Threat: Agencies Raise Alarm About Jupiter Lighthouse Area Erosion
- Tampa Studies How to Make Its Stormwater System Handle Rising Seas
- Under Drone Radar, Fort De Soto Park Becomes Living Lab for Sea Level Rise