In Search for Hope: Human-Mosquito Relations as a Model for Global Environmental Cooperation (A Research Note)

Dan Tamïr

doi:10.46863/ecocene.21

Abstract

The current condition of our planet is alarming, as the Earth is experiencing both global warming and a mass extinction of species: two human induced phenomena devastating our environment. The reason for these crises is neither lack of knowledge about their source, nor the absence of the technical means to deal with them: what we lack is the capacity to act jointly, through global political mechanisms allowing a coordinated effort to change our behavior. While such mechanisms may be difficult to imagine, this research note suggests that a precedent for such a coordinated global environmental action may be found in the worldwide campaigns against mosquito borne diseases (MBD) which were carried out during the twentieth century. Pointing at some similarities and several dissimilarities between the combats against MBDs and a possible global effort which may be initiated nowadays, this research note calls for drawing lessons from the past dealing with MBDs for learning how to cope with our current global environmental challenges.

Highlights

Dan Tamïr is an environmental historian and research associate at the University of Zurich
His research examines the global circulation and the local adaptations of ideologies, species, and resources. His current research focuses on the global political cooperation in targeting mosquitoborne diseases during the past century
Having a precedent for such a huge effort should be useful for planning our near future – but where can we find such a precedent? My argument is that such a precedent may be found in how humans dealt with mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) during the twentieth century

Summary

Introduction

Dan Tamïr is an environmental historian and research associate at the University of Zurich. His current research focuses on the global political cooperation in targeting mosquitoborne diseases during the past century.

Results

Conclusion