The unwelcome arrival of Mosquitoes in Iceland-
TRANSCRIPT:
Iceland along with Antarctica had long been one of the few places on Earth untouched by mosquito populations. However as global temperatures rise even these regions are feeling the heat.
The mosquito invasion is a global phenomenon; the presence of mosquitoes in Iceland is not an isolated incident. As our planet warms, these insects are expanding their territories with new species being discovered across the globe.
In the UK for instance, eggs of the Egyptian mosquito egypti were detected this year and the Asian tiger mosquito albipectis has been found in Kent. These invasive species pose a significant threat as they can carry tropical diseases such as Dengue, toconvenia, and zika virus.
A cold resistant species, the mosquitoes identified in Iceland belong to the species andgelata known for its cold resistance. This species has the remarkable ability to survive the harsh ice landed winters by seeking shelter in basements and barns.
This adaptation allows them to establish themselves in a region.
and what does this mean for the future of other mosquito free regions previously thought to be inhospitable to mosquitoes, the impact of climate change.
Iceland's warming trend is a cause for concern. The country is experiencing climate change at a rate four times faster than the rest of the northern hemisphere. Glaciers are collapsing and fish from warmer southern waters such as mackerel are now found in Icelandic waters.
These changes are not limited to iceland; they are part of a global pattern of ecological shifts driven by rising temperatures, a controversial development.
The arrival of mosquitoes in Iceland raises important questions. How will they impact the country’s unique ecosystem? Will these insects bring with them new health concerns? And what does this mean for the future of other mosquito free regions?
These are questions that scientists and policy makers will need to address as we navigate the challenges of a changing climate- a call for action.
As we witness the impacts of climate change, it's clear that action is needed. The discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency to address Global Heating. By reducing our carbon footprint and adopting sustainable practices we can work towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems.
[KE: Everything climate scientists predicted about global warming since the 1970s is coming true, only faster, including insect migration into what used to be cooler climates bringing along with them diseases new to those regions.]
Related print news story today in The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/21/mosquitoes-found-iceland-first-time-climate-crisis-warms-country Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country Three specimens discovered in what was previously one of the few places in the world without the insects
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