Pennsylvanians have reason to be ticked off about climate change

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of summer, a time when Pennsylvanians take advantage of the many outdoor resources the Commonwealth has to offer. From hiking to fishing to camping, there are a range of activities in which outdoor enthusiasts and their families can engage.  

But here in Pennsylvania, our amazing outdoor resources are accompanied by a not-so-pleasant feature – the prevalence of ticks due to climate change. The black-legged tick, commonly known as the “deer tick,” transmits Lyme disease and poses a huge threat to outdoor recreation.

The threat of ticks isn’t new, but there is heightened concern this summer as warmer winters, caused by climate change, have allowed ticks to expand their habitable range. Increased exposure to ticks increases the risk of contracting Lyme disease, a serious threat to public health. Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms including fever, headaches, and chronic joint and nervous system impacts.

Not a pretty picture. 

In 2013, Pennsylvania reported nearly 5,000 cases of Lyme disease, more than any state in the country. Nationwide, the rate of reported cases has nearly doubled since 1991. It’s important to note that these figures only include reported cases – it’s possible that the actual number of cases is ten times greater than that. (Kudos to Senator Bob Casey for addressing the underreporting problem and advocating for better tracking of the disease and increased Center for Disease Control (CDC) funding.)

So how do we protect ourselves from these pests while also enjoying outdoor recreation activities? On an individual level, one should avoid piles of leaves and wear repellent containing DEET. One should also check their clothing and shower within two hours of visiting a tick-prone area. On a global level, taking action to combat the source of the problem – climate change due to carbon pollution – is critically important. This summer, it is expected that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will finalize its Clean Power Plan, a rule that will set limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants.

Outdoor enthusiasts should contact their federal and state elected officials and encourage them to support a robust and effective Clean Power Plan both on the national level as well as its implementation on the state level. Your voice is important in protecting the enjoyment of our natural resources for all!

For more information, check out National Wildlife Federation’s Climate Change Bites Fact Sheet.

Katie Bartolotta is southeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Philadelphia. She tweets @KatieBartolotta.

That mosquito bite got you ticked off? Here's why.

Have you noticed a bothersome mosquito that bites during the day? Do you (and your pet) seem to get more and more deer ticks every time you go outside? Has your home been invaded by stink bugs? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you can blame climate change.

In the U.S., we have roughly 230 species of native stink bugs, but the brown marmorated stink bug that’s invading our homes by the hundreds and sometimes thousands was accidentally introduced from Asia. Not directly harmful to humans, these pests can still cause major problems. They are not picky when it comes to eating and will damage or destroy backyard gardens, and have become a serious pest of fruit, vegetable and farm crops in the Mid-Atlantic region. Even worse, it’s likely the pest, and the damage it causes, will spread to other areas. Warmer temperatures have shortened their life cycle, allowing  for more reproductive cycles per year, resulting in rapid growth in their populations. Currently, stink bugs have 1-2 generations per year, but climate change will cause that to increase, and warmer winters will increase survival rates during winter hibernation.

The tiger mosquito, also introduced from Asia, first appeared in Texas and is now present in 26 states in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. The northern reaches of its current range are southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Long Island. What’s most concerning about this pest is its ability to transmit more than 30 different viruses to humans, including West Nile, eastern equine encephalitis, dengue fever, and chikungunya, all of which pose serious risks to human health. In a warming climate, the tiger mosquito could move as far north as Maine and Lake Erie. By the end of this century, 30 million residents of the northeastern U.S. could face exposure to the tiger mosquito.

Pennsylvania leads the nation in Lyme disease cases thanks to large populations of black-legged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms including fever, fatigue, and headache, and more serious symptoms if undiagnosed/untreated such as chronic joint pain and nervous system abnormalities. In addition to Lyme disease, deer ticks can also transmit the bacterial disease anaplasmosis and babesiosis, which is a protozoan to humans. There are over 30,000 cases of Lyme disease reported to the Centers for Disease Control annually but the actual number of cases is believed to be roughly 10 times that amount, and deer ticks are projected to be even more widespread due to climate change and milder winters.

Ticked off yet? For a more in-depth look at these, and other pests, check out the National Wildlife Federation's latest report: Ticked Off: America’s OutdoorExperience and Climate Change.

Jen Quinn is central Pennsylvania outreach coordinator for PennFuture and is based in Harrisburg. She tweets @QuinnJen1.