The wellness and wellbeing of the environment is in jeopardy, and this is having all kinds of effects on the way that we live our lives, many of which you may well not be aware of.
For example, did you know that your groceries are probably costing more because of the environment? Due to the North American Drought in 2012 (caused by low snowfall followed by extreme heat), around 80 percent of the agricultural land in America suffered. This has affected soybean crops, corn and both dairy and meat products. This has translated directly into a 2.5 to 3.5 percent increase in the price of food in the United States.
Clothing prices could also be on the increase as a result. Environmentalists are aware that textile production and overconsumption could lead to an increase in clothing prices. The depletion of the natural materials used to make clothes, along with the carbon emissions that the factories that make them cause are both taking a big toll on the planet. A group of scientists recently predicted that by around 2025, factories would have to start growing textiles to make clothes from bacterial cellulose, a compound produced from bacteria. Not a nice thought!
Speaking of bacteria, your chances of infection are now higher than ever before. Temperatures in Northern areas have continued to increase, leading insects to migrate to areas that they would not before have entered, and bringing illness and disease with them. Incidences of Lyme disease have almost doubled in Maine, and have risen twelve-fold in Vermont. Climate change also means that infectious agents transmit more easily from animals to humans.
It’s hitting you in your pocket too – insurance rates are going up because of the increase in weather-related disasters such as Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina.