Climate change is the biggest threat to all living organisms. However, in the longer term, it is said that insects may be less affected by climate change. Insects have vast numbers, and their ability to withstand prior mass extinction events may help them fare better in climatic emergencies. Instead of affecting them adversely, climate change is keeping insects active longer as they are preparing themselves to face the extremes.

Credit: Risto0

The average temperature rise is frequently used to quantify climate change and its impacts. Plants and animals in the area become more active as the temperature rises. They tend to become active sooner in the spring, delay hibernation until later in the autumn, and gradually adjust their ranges to match the environment in which they thrive.

If the winter offers mild days, moths and butterflies at higher latitudes become active early in the spring. Cold weather keeps insects active at all latitudes for extended periods of time. The biggest effect was caused by a combination of extremely high and low temperatures.

Insects being active for extended lengths of time may appear to be a beneficial thing at first. However, the repercussions are bad. Longer and changed insect lifespans may allow pathogens to spread over a longer period of time. It is projected that global warming will impact the length of the transmission season and promote the disease’s geographical spread. If we do not act before it is too late, it is predicted that today’s catastrophic occurrences will become much more intense in the future. It is not a hidden fact that climate change is keeping insects active longer, and eventually, the ability of insects to buffer against these changes may be exhausted.

What is Climate Change?

The average weather in a location over several years is referred to as the climate. Climate change is a change in average circumstances. Humans are believed to be the biggest culprit of climate change. They cause rapid climate change by consuming oil, gas, and coal in their homes, industry, and transportation. These fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide (CO2). These gases trap the Sun’s heat, raising the planet’s temperature. The world is currently around 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer than it was in the nineteenth century. The CO2 levels in the atmosphere have surged by 50%. According to climate experts, temperature rises must moderate in order to escape the worst effects of climate change. Scientists claim that global warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100 to avoid any further repercussions. 

Also Read: NASA On Climate Change: Earth’s Orbit Responsible, Not Humans!