SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy. It also provided insights into how the looming global climate crisis might be addressed, as there are several similarities between the challenges proposed by COVID-19 and those expected from the coming climate emergency. COVID...

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Main Authors: Mario Caldarelli, Pierluigi Rio, Vincenzo Giambra, Ivana Palucci, Antonio Gasbarrini, Giovanni Gambassi, Rossella Cianci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/11/703
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author Mario Caldarelli
Pierluigi Rio
Vincenzo Giambra
Ivana Palucci
Antonio Gasbarrini
Giovanni Gambassi
Rossella Cianci
author_facet Mario Caldarelli
Pierluigi Rio
Vincenzo Giambra
Ivana Palucci
Antonio Gasbarrini
Giovanni Gambassi
Rossella Cianci
author_sort Mario Caldarelli
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy. It also provided insights into how the looming global climate crisis might be addressed, as there are several similarities between the challenges proposed by COVID-19 and those expected from the coming climate emergency. COVID-19 is an immediate health threat, but climate change represents a more gradual and insidious risk that will lead to long-term consequences for human health. Research shows that climate change, air pollution and the pandemics have a negative impact on health. Recent studies show that COVID-19 mortality increases with climate extremes. The goal of our review is to analyze the clinical findings of COVID-19 and how they are affected by the climate change, while also providing insight into the emergence of new variants and their ability to evade the immune system. We selected and synthesized data from primary studies, reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. Selection was based on rigorous methodological and relevance criteria. Indeed, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, named JN.1, has emerged as the dominant, first in the United States and then worldwide; the variant has specific mutations in its spike proteins that increase its transmissibility. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), JN.1 is currently the most reported variant of interest (VOI), having been identified in 132 countries. We highlight the link between climate change and pandemics, emphasizing the need for global action, targeted medical approaches and scientific innovation.
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spelling doaj-art-629d55da47de4b8faee54f98ddd2aaac2025-08-20T01:53:44ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452024-10-014611118351185210.3390/cimb46110703SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect StormMario Caldarelli0Pierluigi Rio1Vincenzo Giambra2Ivana Palucci3Antonio Gasbarrini4Giovanni Gambassi5Rossella Cianci6Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, ItalyInstitute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, ItalyFondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, ItalyThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy. It also provided insights into how the looming global climate crisis might be addressed, as there are several similarities between the challenges proposed by COVID-19 and those expected from the coming climate emergency. COVID-19 is an immediate health threat, but climate change represents a more gradual and insidious risk that will lead to long-term consequences for human health. Research shows that climate change, air pollution and the pandemics have a negative impact on health. Recent studies show that COVID-19 mortality increases with climate extremes. The goal of our review is to analyze the clinical findings of COVID-19 and how they are affected by the climate change, while also providing insight into the emergence of new variants and their ability to evade the immune system. We selected and synthesized data from primary studies, reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. Selection was based on rigorous methodological and relevance criteria. Indeed, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, named JN.1, has emerged as the dominant, first in the United States and then worldwide; the variant has specific mutations in its spike proteins that increase its transmissibility. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), JN.1 is currently the most reported variant of interest (VOI), having been identified in 132 countries. We highlight the link between climate change and pandemics, emphasizing the need for global action, targeted medical approaches and scientific innovation.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/11/703COVID-19climate changeJN.1
spellingShingle Mario Caldarelli
Pierluigi Rio
Vincenzo Giambra
Ivana Palucci
Antonio Gasbarrini
Giovanni Gambassi
Rossella Cianci
SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
COVID-19
climate change
JN.1
title SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
title_full SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
title_fullStr SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
title_full_unstemmed SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
title_short SARS-CoV-2 and Environmental Changes: The Perfect Storm
title_sort sars cov 2 and environmental changes the perfect storm
topic COVID-19
climate change
JN.1
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/11/703
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