CINXE.COM
Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <noscript><style>form.antibot * :not(.antibot-message) { display: none !important; }</style> </noscript><meta name="description" content="Here's what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" /> <meta name="content-type" content="News & Commentary" /> <meta name="authors" content="Molly M. Ginty" /> <meta name="content-language" content="English" /> <meta name="issues" content="Human Health,Climate Change" /> <meta name="content-sub-type" content="Explainer" /> <meta name="locations" content="United States,International" /> <meta name="created-datetime" content="2018-02-01T14:42:00-0500" /> <meta name="publication-date" content="2018-02-01" /> <meta name="content-analytics-tag" content="Climate" /> <meta name="modified-datetime" content="2023-06-26T17:27:50-0400" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Here's what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/social_sharing_1200x630/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=c62Ty63T" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Here's what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself." /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/social_sharing_1200x630/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=c62Ty63T" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101", "headline": "Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101", "description": "Here\u0027s what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself.", "datePublished": "2018-02-01T07:00:00-0500", "dateModified": "2023-06-26T17:27:50-0400" } ] }</script> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" /> <title>Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101</title> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.ico" sizes="any"> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/favicon-180.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.webmanifest"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/back-to-top.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/styles.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/donate-form.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/donate-signup.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/card-grid.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/wysiwyg.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/social-share.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/breadcrumb.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/donation-tray.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/hamburger-button.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/mobile-menu.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/dropdown-menu.css?solo3v" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/css/modal.css?solo3v" /> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/3348","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"gtm":{"tagId":null,"settings":{"data_layer":"dataLayer","include_classes":false,"allowlist_classes":"google\nnonGooglePixels\nnonGoogleScripts\nnonGoogleIframes","blocklist_classes":"customScripts\ncustomPixels","include_environment":false,"environment_id":"","environment_token":""},"tagIds":["GTM-MX524FN"]},"gtag":{"tagId":"","consentMode":false,"otherIds":[],"events":[],"additionalConfigInfo":[]},"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJxtkFFuxDAIRC-UJkdCxEY2W9tYgJvm9rX6s0laCY3Eex-DQDNy4Pai4KLby9ZMGEnBgnJ3W5JIKgSOaUsznvuKL_y-w7o0jQE8U6Vtx_AJLnP6DetsCTrqfqUBNT53SMo3GKWhExinNvofwdI-uvT_DbjieRMqPcrRoFIbV5GK7FiuxAg1ZKgSH1wCYwHLqHTlx2l8nGnpqJgUe7bZNjqW9U3W0frYC1umuBg7HRwJsJD6xo19sdOc6nyi0fLFdNj2m-u8YhT6AWMRrZA","theme":"nrdc_theme","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"gesso":{"backToTopThreshold":"200","backToTopSmoothScroll":1,"imagePath":"\/themes\/nrdc_theme\/dist\/images"},"sitewideAlert":{"refreshInterval":15000,"automaticRefresh":false},"csp":{"nonce":"5iUvqaZGGamrfzVJYgCDug"},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"17ca0ea3a8fc416b5972c31edce5255d7c7d09217b5db82f0fdf52274eeb64a0"}}</script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/tabbable/index.umd.min.js?v=6.2.0"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/asset_injector/js/header_scripts-382483d0c6cadfdc934f799f348509ff.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtm.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/core/misc/progress.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/loadjs/loadjs.min.js?v=4.3.0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/debounce.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/misc/announce.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/misc/message.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/core/misc/ajax.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.ajax.js?solo3v"></script> </head> <body class="path-node not-front node-page node-page--node-type-news-commentary theme-default" id="top"> <div class="c-skiplinks"> <a href="#main" class="c-skiplinks__link u-visually-hidden u-focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MX524FN" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div data-sitewide-alert></div> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="l-site-container"> <dialog id="modal-123" class="c-modal js-modal has-image-below show-image-on-mobile" aria-labelledby="modal-title-123" aria-describedby="modal-content-123" data-popup-id="123" data-test="1" data-days-to-wait="1" data-seconds-to-delay="1"> <div class="c-modal__inner js-modal-inner theme-gray-8"> <button class="c-modal__close-button js-modal-close" aria-label="Close" aria-controls="modal-123" autofocus> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--modal" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#xmark"></use></svg> </button> <div class="c-modal__content" id="modal-content-123"> <div class="c-modal__content-body"> <h2 class="c-modal__title" id="modal-title-123">2X MATCH: Defend our planet from the Trump administration's agenda</h2> <div class="c-modal__body"><p>Our work to block the incoming Trump administration's anti-environment agenda begins NOW. Your year-end gift will be <strong>2X MATCHED</strong> to help our lawyers, scientists, and policy experts defend our planet from the worst of Project 2025's environmental attacks.</p> </div> <a href="https://action.nrdc.org/donation/3589-year-end-2x-ngsc-11824?initms=WBSNAEOYDONC31224&ms=WBSNAEOYDONC31224" class="c-button">DONATE NOW</a> </div> <div class="c-modal__image has-image-below show-on-mobile"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_25/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=cWgEVZT8 192w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_50/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=Junecta9 384w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_75/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=8tQtq2Cj 576w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=x0vAlKdA 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_150/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=McRJGgsm 1152w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_200/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=sIJfBNke 1360w" sizes="min(calc(100vw - 5.77778rem), 768px)" width="576" height="324" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-11/NRDC_DAF_Asset11_TrumpAdministrationPopUp_White%20House_1536x864_003.jpg.jpg?h=44e2402b&itok=x0vAlKdA" alt="A black and white image of the White House, with the black shades darker than the rest of the photo" /> </div> </div> </div> </dialog> <header class="l-header" role="banner" id="site-header"> <div class="l-header__utility theme-darker-blue"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="c-search-modal" data-search-modal> <div class="c-search-modal__content"> <a href="" class="c-search-modal__open" data-search-modal-open>Search <svg class="c-icon is-spaced-before" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#search"></use></svg></a> <div class="c-search-modal__modal theme-default u-hidden" data-search-modal-content> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="c-search-modal__modal-layout"> <button class="c-search-modal__close" data-search-modal-close> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--search-modal" role="img"><title>Close search</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#xmark"></use></svg></button> <div class="c-search-modal__modal-content"> <h2 class="c-search-modal__heading">Search</h2> <form class="c-search-form" method="get" action="/search"> <div class="c-form-item c-form-item--search has-no-label is-full-width u-spaced-none"> <label class="c-form-item__label u-visually-hidden" for="search">Search </label> <input class="c-form-item__search c-search-form__input" id="search" name="search_api_fulltext" type="search" maxlength="128" placeholder="What are you looking for?" size="30"> </div> <button class="c-search-form__button"> <svg class="c-icon" role="img"><title>Search</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#search"></use></svg></button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="c-search-modal__overlay u-hidden" data-search-modal-overlay></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-header__navbar"> <div class="l-header__logo"> <a class="c-site-logo" href="/" rel="home" aria-label="NRDC homepage"><svg class="c-site-logo__small" width="114" viewBox="0 0 122.6 23.3" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img"><title>NRDC</title><g class="c-site-logo__primary"><path d="m54.6 15.6c3 0 6.4-3.5 6.4-7.1 0-3.8-2.9-7.5-8-7.5h-19.2v21.5h6.4v-6.5h3.4c2.2 0 3.4-.2 5.5 1.8 1.2 1.2 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.7h8.1zm-2.6-4.9h-11.8v-4.2h11.8c1.3 0 2.2.8 2.2 2.1.1 1.3-.9 2.1-2.2 2.1z"/><path d="m81.7 16.5c-.8 0-9.4 0-9.4 0v-9.7h9.3c2.9 0 4.8 2 4.8 4.6 0 2.5-1.4 5.1-4.7 5.1zm1.4-15.4c-.6 0-17.1 0-17.1 0v21.4h17.1c3.3 0 10.2-2.9 10.2-11.2s-6.9-10.2-10.2-10.2z"/><path d="m111.8 23.3c-9.9 0-15.1-4-15.1-11.7 0-7.6 5.2-11.6 15.1-11.6 4 0 8 1.1 10.6 2.9l.2.1-4 4.5-.2-.1c-1.5-1.1-4.3-1.6-6.3-1.6-5.7 0-8.3 1.8-8.3 5.8s2.6 5.8 8.3 5.8c2 0 4.8-.6 6.3-1.6l.2-.1 4 4.5-.2.1c-2.7 1.9-6.6 3-10.6 3z"/><path d="m20.9 1.1v11.1c-1-1.9-10.1-11.1-19.2-11.1h-1.7v21.4h6.4v-13.1c1.6 0 9.7 5.6 14 13.1h6.8v-21.4z"/></g></svg></a> </div> <div class="l-header__nav"> <nav class="l-nav l-nav--main" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="nav-main"> <h2 id="nav-main" class="u-visually-hidden">Main navigation</h2> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <button class="c-dropdown-menu__link js-top-level has-subnav is-expanded" type="button">Learn About the Climate Crisis</button> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/climate-crisis" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67074">Climate Crisis 101</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/stories/what-climate-change" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/21980">What Is Climate Change?</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/stories/what-are-causes-climate-change" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/60005">Causes</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/stories/what-are-effects-climate-change" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/59384">Effects</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/stories/what-are-solutions-climate-change" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/58660">Solutions</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="https://action.nrdc.org/letter/3553-conocophillips-drilling-101724?initms=WBSNACONPETC31024&ms=WBSNACONPETC31024" title="" class="c-dropdown-menu__link">Take Action </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <button class="c-dropdown-menu__link js-top-level has-subnav is-expanded" type="button">Our Work</button> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <a href="/issues/climate-change" class="c-dropdown-menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66630">Climate Change</a> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/agriculture-food" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66726">Agriculture & Food</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/buildings" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66762">Buildings</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/climate-adaptation" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66879">Climate Adaptation</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/fossil-fuels" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66711">Fossil Fuels</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/industrial-production" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66945">Industrial Production</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/renewable-energy" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66882">Renewable Energy</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/sustainable-cities" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66804">Sustainable Cities</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/sustainable-finance" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66870">Sustainable Finance</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/transportation" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66888">Transportation</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/equity-justice" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66648">Equity & Justice</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <a href="/issues/human-health" class="c-dropdown-menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66633">Human Health</a> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/agriculture-food" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66726">Agriculture & Food</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/clean-air" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66645">Clean Air</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/drinking-water" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66639">Drinking Water</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/toxics" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66750">Toxics</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <a href="/issues/nature-wildlife" class="c-dropdown-menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66624">Nature & Wildlife</a> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/forests-lands" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66660">Forests & Lands</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/fresh-water" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66666">Fresh Water</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/oceans" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66708">Ocean</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/issues/wildlife" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66651">Wildlife</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <button class="c-dropdown-menu__link js-top-level has-subnav is-expanded" type="button">Stay Informed</button> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/news-commentary" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66957">News & Commentary</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/data-reports-resources" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66963">Data, Reports & Resources</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/court-battles" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66966">Court Battles</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <button class="c-dropdown-menu__link js-top-level has-subnav is-expanded" type="button">Take Action</button> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/take-action/add-your-voice" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66969">Petitions & Letters</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/take-action/toolkits" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66951">Toolkits & How-Tos</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/take-action/events" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67008">Events</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/ways-give" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66873">Ways to Give</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item has-subnav is-expanded"> <button class="c-dropdown-menu__link js-top-level has-subnav is-expanded" type="button">About NRDC</button> <ul class="c-dropdown-menu__subnav"> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">Our Mission</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about#history" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">History & Victories</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/leadership" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67011">Leadership & Board of Trustees</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/experts" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66960">Our Experts</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about#how-we-work" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">How We Work</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about#where-we-work" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">Where We Work</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about/office-diversity-equity-and-inclusion" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66867">Diversity, Equity & Inclusion</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/about#financials" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">Annual Report & Financials</a> </li> <li class="c-dropdown-menu__item"> <a href="/sustainability-nrdc" class="c-dropdown-menu__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67032">Sustainability at NRDC</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="l-header__donate"> <a class="c-button c-button--donate" href="https://action.nrdc.org/donation/2554-support-nrdc?initms=HOMERB&ms=HOMERB">Donate</a> </div> <div class="l-header__tray"> <div class="c-donation-tray"> <form class="c-donation-tray__form" name="act" method="get" action="https://action.nrdc.org/donation/2860-support-nrdc-tra" data-donation-tray> <input type="hidden" name="initms" value="HOMETR"> <input type="hidden" name="ms" value="HOMETR"> <div class="c-form-item c-form-item--text has-no-label u-spaced-none"> <label class="c-form-item__label u-visually-hidden" for="amount">Amount </label> <div class="c-form-item__element"><span class="c-form-item__prefix">$</span><input class="c-form-item__text" id="amount" name="amount" type="text" maxlength="4" size="4" value="20"></div> </div> <div class="c-form-item c-form-item--select has-no-label u-spaced-none"> <label class="c-form-item__label u-visually-hidden" for="recurring">Recurring </label> <select class="c-form-item__select c-form-item--select" id="recurring" name="recurring"><option value="1" selected="selected">Monthly</option><option value="0">One-time</option></select> </div> <button class="c-donation-tray__button">Give</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <nav aria-labelledby="breadcrumb-label" class="c-breadcrumb" role="navigation"> <div class="l-constrain"> <h2 id="breadcrumb-label" class="c-breadcrumb__title u-visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2> <ol class="c-breadcrumb__list"><li class="c-breadcrumb__item"><a class="c-breadcrumb__link" href="https://www.nrdc.org/news-commentary?f%5B0%5D=news_commentary_language%3Aen#listing-page-content"> <svg class="c-icon is-left c-icon--breadcrumb" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#arrow-long"></use></svg> See all News & Commentary</a></li></ol> </div> </nav> <main id="main" class="c-main" role="main" tabindex="-1"> <article data-history-node-id="3348" class="c-article" lang="en"> <div class="l-page"> <div class="l-page__masthead"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-page__header"> <div class="l-page__eyebrow"> <div class="c-eyebrow"><a class="c-eyebrow__link" href="https://www.nrdc.org/news-commentary?f%5B0%5D=news_commentary_language%3Aen&f%5B1%5D=news_commentary_type%3A327#listing-page-content">Explainer</a></div> </div> <div class="l-page__title"> <h1 class="c-page-title"> Mosquito and Tick Diseases 101 </h1> <div dir="ltr" lang="en"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="l-page__subtitle"> <div class="c-subtitle"><p>Here's what you need to know about the vector-borne diseases now increasing with climate change—and how to protect yourself.</p></div> </div> <div class="l-page__details"> <div class="l-page__inline-detail"> <div class="c-date"> <time datetime="2018-02-01T12:00:00Z">February 1, 2018</time> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-page__content"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-page__main"> <figure class="c-figure"> <div class="c-figure__media"> <img alt="" loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_25/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=RtTfalx4 192w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_50/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=bnOzlcXO 384w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_75/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=I6BdeYJF 576w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=WtZy1WVT 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_150/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=TczRhReF 1152w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_200/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.webp?h=c3635fa2&itok=m8miOg8B 1360w" sizes="min(calc(100vw - 2.22222rem), 768px)" width="576" height="324" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/media-uploads/heas14_114636528_2400.jpg.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=WtZy1WVT" /> </div> </figure> </div> <div class="l-page__metadata"> <div class="c-article__authors"> <div data-history-node-id="18548" class="c-profile is-link"> <a class="c-profile__link" href="/bio/molly-m-ginty"> <div class="c-profile__content"> <div class="c-profile__name">Molly M. Ginty </div> <div class="c-profile__title">Contributor</div> </div> </a></div> </div> <div id="block-sharethispageblock" class="c-social-share js-share"> <div class="c-social-share__label">Share this page</div> <ul class="c-social-share__list"> <li class="c-social-share__item"> <a href="https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=https%3A//www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" aria-label="Share on Bluesky" class="c-social-share__link"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--social-share" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><title>Share this page block</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-bluesky"></use></svg> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-share__item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A//www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" aria-label="Share on Facebook" class="c-social-share__link"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--social-share" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><title>Share this page block</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-facebook"></use></svg> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-share__item"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" aria-label="Share on LinkedIn" class="c-social-share__link"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--social-share" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><title>Share this page block</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-linkedin"></use></svg> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-share__item"> <a href="https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A//www.nrdc.org/stories/mosquito-tick-diseases-101" aria-label="Share on X" class="c-social-share__link"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--social-share" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><title>Share this page block</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-x-twitter"></use></svg> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-share__item"> <button class="c-social-share__link js-copy-link" aria-label="Copy link" type="button"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--social-share" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><title>Share this page block</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-link"></use></svg> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="l-page__main"> <div class="c-wysiwyg u-clearfix" data-wysiwyg> <p>Weather and infectious disease have long been intertwined—and this has become painfully evident in the past few decades.</p> <p>In 1999, West Nile virus, which originated in Uganda and is spread by mosquitoes, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2094770/">killed seven</a> in New York City. In 2014, another mosquito-borne virus, called chikungunya (which means “bending over in pain” in the Makonde language of East Africa), <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/united-states-2014.html">afflicted</a> 12 Florida residents.</p> <p>In each case, the virus to blame had not previously been reported in the affected area. Extreme or shifting weather patterns helped expand the habitat of the mosquitoes that can carry those illnesses—and experts say that outbreaks are bound to become more common as the effects of climate change become more prevalent.</p> <p>“A longer warm-weather season and changing rainfall patterns are allowing the insects that can transmit disease to humans to thrive for longer periods each year—and to simultaneously move into broader areas,” explains <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/experts/kim-knowlton">Kim Knowlton</a>, senior scientist and deputy director of NRDC’s <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/about/science-center">Science Center</a>.</p> <p>Knowlton and other experts say climate change means Americans need to learn more about diseases that are vector-borne, or transmitted by agents such as insects. Among the biggest threats—because we have neither effective vaccines nor guaranteed cures for them—are <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html">West Nile virus</a> and <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/">dengue fever</a>, both spread by mosquitoes, and <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/index.html">Lyme disease</a>, transmitted by deer ticks.</p> <h2 class="h4">Tick transmission</h2> <p>When a deer tick bites a rodent infected by the <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em> bacterium, that tick can then bite humans and infect them with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html">Lyme disease</a>. More persistent warm weather has expanded the active period and the geographical range of the deer tick, also called the blacklegged tick.</p> <p>Lyme disease is now the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/index.html">most commonly reported vector-borne disease</a> in the United States. It has been diagnosed in <a href="http://www.bayarealyme.org/about-lyme/history-lyme-disease/">every state except Hawaii</a> since first being reported in 1975 in the Lyme, Connecticut, area—though 95 percent of confirmed cases are concentrated in 14 states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest.</p> <p>A <a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/8/14-1878_article">2015 study </a>by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 260 high-risk counties in the Northeast and upper Midwest had twice as many Lyme cases as authorities had suspected. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27282813">Another study</a> identified more than 400 counties—mostly in the upper Midwest and along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts—as newly suitable habitats for one species of Lyme-carrying tick. The disease is also spreading to Canada.</p> <p>Dark brown and with larvae as small as poppy seeds, deer ticks are difficult to spot. But if an infected tick clings to your skin and feeds on your blood for 36 to 48 hours, you may develop the bull’s-eye rash, flulike symptoms, and joint pain that signal infection. “If you’re infected with Lyme disease and don’t get treated right away, there can be long-term effects such as debilitating and persistent fatigue,” says Knowlton.</p> <h2 class="h4">Mosquito matters</h2> <p>Parts of the United States that once had steady precipitation are now experiencing periods of drought punctuated by heavy rainfall. Sudden deluges leave behind puddles of standing water—moisture that mosquitoes need to hatch their eggs. In addition, hotter weather is shortening these eggs’ incubation times, increasing the overall mosquito population. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, and warmer weather makes them more likely to do so.</p> <p>West Nile, now the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States, is spread when mosquitoes bite infected birds and then go on to bite humans. While about four out of five people infected with West Nile do not develop symptoms, the virus occasionally causes fevers accompanied by body aches, disorientation, diarrhea, neck stiffness, headache, joint pain, and tremors. It can also spread to the brain, though fewer than 1 percent of people with West Nile will develop potentially fatal encephalitis or meningitis.</p> <p>Dengue fever has long persisted in Asia and Latin America but <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/resources/fever-pitch-mosquito-borne-dengue-fever-threat-spreading-americas">recently spread</a> to the United States as well. The four strains of the virus that cause it can bring on high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, and crippling bone, muscle, or joint aches. “Most cases usually just require bed rest and lots of fluids,” says Knowlton. But contracting dengue also puts you at risk for a later bout with dengue hemorrhagic fever if you are infected a second time. This potentially fatal condition <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/">can cause</a> bleeding from the nose or gums, easy bruising, and blood in vomit or stool.</p> <h2 class="h4">How to protect yourself from mosquito and tick bites</h2> <p>Over the past 40 years, temperatures in the United States have risen an average of <a href="https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/weather-climate/temperature.html">0.29 to 0.46 degrees Fahrenheit per decade</a>. Because climate change is now a fact of life, it’s essential that Americans protect themselves from rapidly spreading vector-borne diseases that have no definitive cures. If you find yourself in an area where ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent, Knowlton and other experts recommend that you:</p> <ul> <li>Install or fix window and door screens so mosquitoes can’t enter your home.</li> <li>Cover up when possible by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants.</li> <li>Drain standing water from birdbaths, kiddie pools, storm-drain catchments, and other places where it can collect.</li> <li>Spray insect repellent containing a low concentration of DEET (30 percent or less) on your clothes and exposed skin—but not your face—before stepping outdoors.</li> <li>Ward off deer ticks during a hike by tucking pant cuffs into long socks.</li> <li>Wear light-colored outdoor clothing so you can better spot dark deer ticks.</li> <li>Check yourself for ticks when you return from outdoors.</li> <li>Remove an attached tick using fine-tipped tweezers, grasping the tick as close to your skin's surface as possible. Then clean your skin and hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.</li> <li>In the shower, use a washcloth or loofah from head to toe to brush away any unattached ticks that may be on your body.</li> <li>If you develop suspicious symptoms, seek immediate treatment to safeguard your health—and that of others in your area.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="l-page__main"> <div class="c-wysiwyg u-clearfix" data-wysiwyg> <hr> <p><em><small>This NRDC.org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer(s) must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.org and link to the original; the story cannot be edited (beyond simple things such as grammar); you can’t resell the story in any form or grant republishing rights to other outlets; you can’t republish our material wholesale or automatically—you need to select stories individually; you can’t republish the photos or graphics on our site without specific permission; you should </small></em><a href="/contact-us"><em><small>drop us a note</small></em></a><em><small> to let us know when you’ve used one of our stories.</small></em></p> </div> </div> <div class="l-page__main u-spaced-2-above"> <div class="c-field c-field--name-field-issue-terms c-field--type-entity-reference c-field--label-hidden"> <div class="c-field__label">Related Issues</div> <a class="c-button c-button--tertiary" href="/issues/human-health" rel="nofollow">Human Health</a> <a class="c-button c-button--tertiary" href="/issues/climate-change" rel="nofollow">Climate Change</a></div></div> <div class="l-page__full-bleed"> <section class="l-section has-top-border"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-section__main"> <h2 class="l-section__title">Related Stories</h2> <div class="l-section__content"> <div class="c-view c-view--related-content c-view--display-news_commentary_how_to_guide_issue_location_audience view js-view-dom-id-85a95588fb08d5fe32311f3beccf457069f7269feac15eb3095cc97ac8ac793b"> <div class="l-card-grid l-card-grid--carousel" data-card-grid-carousel> <a class="l-card-grid__skipnav u-visually-hidden u-focusable" href="#carousel">Skip carousel items</a> <div class="l-card-grid__controls" data-card-grid-carousel-controls> <button class="l-card-grid__prev" aria-label="Previous"> <svg class="c-icon is-left icon--card-grid" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#angle"></use></svg></button> <button class="l-card-grid__next" aria-label="Next"> <svg class="c-icon is-right icon--card-grid" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#angle"></use></svg></button> </div> <div class="l-card-grid__content" data-card-grid-carousel-content > <div data-history-node-id="73539" class="c-card"> <div class="c-card__wrapper"> <div class="c-card__media"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_25/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=HT0f44Ku 192w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_50/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=Z8JPGODg 384w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_75/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=lFXMt05g 576w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=jAdNjs0M 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_150/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=k_b42lob 1152w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_200/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=HLtX9iGU 1360w" sizes="(min-width: 1044px) min(calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), 491px), (min-width: 1024px) calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), (min-width: 1004px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), (min-width: 672px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), calc(100vw - 2.22222rem)" width="576" height="324" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-07/1.5degrees_RTX3PB00.jpg.jpg?h=44e2402b&itok=jAdNjs0M" alt="A blurry image of a line of people wading through floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey in Beaumont Place, Houston, Texas, 2017" /> </div> <div class="c-card__content"> <a class="c-card__link" href="/stories/15-degrees-global-warming-are-we-there-yet"><h3 class="c-card__title">1.5 Degrees of Global Warming—Are We There Yet? </h3></a> <div class="c-card__details"><span class="c-card__detail"><time datetime="2024-07-18T12:00:00Z">July 18, 2024</time> </span><span class="c-card__detail">Explainer</span><span class="c-card__detail">United States, International</span><span class="c-card__detail">Molly Bergen</span></div> <div class="c-card__summary"> Here’s where the world stands in its fight against climate change. The end goal remains the same. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-history-node-id="73446" class="c-card"> <div class="c-card__wrapper"> <div class="c-card__media"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_25/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=RYYmOSOc 192w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_50/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=_YqouSmq 384w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_75/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=xYfMpr6l 576w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=_-5DtTxA 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_150/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=dSIxY5tg 1152w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_200/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.webp?h=44e2402b&itok=FWuBH38Z 1360w" sizes="(min-width: 1044px) min(calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), 491px), (min-width: 1024px) calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), (min-width: 1004px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), (min-width: 672px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), calc(100vw - 2.22222rem)" width="576" height="324" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/2024-06/04_corporate_sustainability_NRDC_PG_0028.jpg.jpg?h=44e2402b&itok=_-5DtTxA" alt="Protesters stand outside P&G headquarters with signs reading, "Charmin: Stop flushing our forests!"" /> </div> <div class="c-card__content"> <a class="c-card__link" href="/stories/when-customers-and-investors-demand-corporate-sustainability"><h3 class="c-card__title">When Customers and Investors Demand Corporate Sustainability </h3></a> <div class="c-card__details"><span class="c-card__detail"><time datetime="2024-06-27T12:00:00Z">June 27, 2024</time> </span><span class="c-card__detail">Explainer</span><span class="c-card__detail">International, United States, Canada</span><span class="c-card__detail">Susan Cosier</span></div> <div class="c-card__summary"> Through shareholder resolutions, letters, and activism, consumers and shareholders can push companies to clean up supply chains—and their reputations. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-history-node-id="60837" class="c-card"> <div class="c-card__wrapper"> <div class="c-card__media"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_25/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=C261Mq9D 192w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_50/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=JwiI0bMY 384w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_75/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=j0jiHooo 576w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=NS7Tmm0z 768w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_150/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=4j1z4Roj 1152w, /sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_200/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.webp?h=05074998&itok=4ZwHUh_s 1360w" sizes="(min-width: 1044px) min(calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), 491px), (min-width: 1024px) calc((100vw - 4.44444rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), (min-width: 1004px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 3.55556rem) / 3), (min-width: 672px) calc((100vw - 2.22222rem - 1.77778rem) / 2), calc(100vw - 2.22222rem)" width="576" height="324" src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium_16x9_100/public/final_greenwashing_nrdc_aaron_1152x648_071309.jpg.jpg?h=05074998&itok=NS7Tmm0z" alt="An illustration shows green sunrays rising from behind a mountain with a sign that reads "Eco Green" and large roll of toilet paper rolling over trees and mountains" /> </div> <div class="c-card__content"> <a class="c-card__link" href="/stories/what-greenwashing"><h3 class="c-card__title">What Is Greenwashing? </h3></a> <div class="c-card__details"><span class="c-card__detail"><time datetime="2023-02-09T12:00:00Z">February 9, 2023</time> </span><span class="c-card__detail">Explainer</span><span class="c-card__detail">United States, International</span><span class="c-card__detail">Courtney Lindwall</span></div> <div class="c-card__summary"> How this misleading marketing practice impacts consumers and communities and stands in the way of real environmental progress. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a id="carousel"></a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </main> <section class="l-section has-centered-header theme-gray-2" aria-label="Support or Join NRDC"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-section__main"> <div class="l-section__content"> <div class="c-donate-signup c-donate-options--small-gap"> <div class="c-donate-signup__donate"> <form class="c-donate-form c-donate-options--small-gap" name="act" method="get" action="https://action.nrdc.org/donation/2866-support-nrdc-ftr"> <input type="hidden" name="initms" value="GLBFTR"> <input type="hidden" name="ms" value="GLBFTR"> <input type="hidden" name="recurring" value="0"> <fieldset> <legend class="c-donate-form__legend">Support Our Work</legend> <div class="c-donate-form__content"> <div class="c-donate-form__options"> <div class="c-donate-options c-donate-options--small-gap"> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-1" name="amount" value="35"> <label for="donate-options-1">$35</label> </div> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-2" name="amount" value="50"> <label for="donate-options-2">$50</label> </div> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-3" name="amount" value="75"> <label for="donate-options-3">$75</label> </div> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-4" name="amount" value="100"> <label for="donate-options-4">$100</label> </div> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-5" name="amount" value="200"> <label for="donate-options-5">$200</label> </div> <div class="c-donate-options__item"> <input type="radio" class="u-visually-hidden" id="donate-options-6" name="amount" value="select"> <label for="donate-options-6">Other</label> </div> </div> </div> <div class="c-donate-form__button"> <button class="c-button c-donate__button-tracking">Donate</button> </div> </div> </fieldset> </form> </div> <div class="c-donate-signup__signup" data-sbapi> <form class="c-donate-signup__signup-form" method="post" action="https://action.nrdcapi.org/sbapi/1?form_id=891" data-sbapi-form> <input type="hidden" name="ms" value="C3SIGNUPGLBFTR"> <input type="hidden" name="initms" value="C3SIGNUPGLBFTR"> <input type="hidden" name="c3_c4" value="c3"> <fieldset> <legend class="c-donate-signup__legend">Join Us</legend> <div class="c-message c-message--status u-hidden" data-sbapi-success> Thanks for signing up. You’ll receive your first NRDC action alert and update email soon! </div> <div class="c-donate-signup__messages" data-sbapi-messages></div> <div class="c-donate-signup__signup-form-items"> <div class="c-form-item c-form-item--email has-no-label is-full-width u-spaced-none"> <label class="c-form-item__label is-required u-visually-hidden c-donate-options--small-gap" for="email-signup">Enter Email <span class="c-form-item__required-marker"><span class="u-visually-hidden"> This field is required. </span></span></label> <input class="c-form-item__email c-donate-options--small-gap" id="email-signup" name="mail" type="email" maxlength="128" placeholder="Enter Email" required="required" aria-required="true" size="60"> </div> <div class="c-donate-signup__signup-button"> <button class="c-button c-donate-options--small-gap">Submit</button> </div> </div> <div class="c-donate-signup__signup-information"><p>When you sign up, you’ll become a member of NRDC’s Activist Network. We will keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports.</p></div> </fieldset> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="l-footer__top theme-darker-blue"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-footer__top-inner"> <div class="l-footer__top-first"> <a class="l-footer__logo-link" href="/" rel="home"> <svg class="c-logo" height="170" viewBox="0 0 127 170" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img"> <title>NRDC Logo</title> <g class="c-logo__primary"> <path d="m54.6381 15.572c2.992 0 6.392-3.468 6.392-7.13998 0-3.774-2.958-7.412-8.058-7.412h-19.142v21.45398h6.358v-6.528h3.4c2.244 0 3.434-.238 5.508 1.836 1.19 1.19 4.76 4.692 4.76 4.692h8.092zm-2.618-4.862h-11.832v-4.18198h11.832c1.258 0 2.244.85 2.244 2.108 0 1.224-.986 2.07398-2.244 2.07398z"/> <path d="m81.7029 16.49c-.85.034-9.384 0-9.384 0v-9.72401s8.806-.034 9.35 0c2.89 0 4.76 1.972 4.76 4.55601 0 2.584-1.394 5.168-4.726 5.168zm1.36-15.43601c-.578-.034-17.102 0-17.102 0v21.38601s16.286.034 17.136 0c3.298 0 10.2-2.856 10.2-11.152 0-8.26201-6.902-10.23401-10.234-10.23401z"/> <path d="m111.825 23.324c-9.894 0-15.1297-4.012-15.1297-11.662 0-7.616 5.2357-11.662 15.1297-11.662 3.978 0 7.956 1.088 10.608 2.89l.204.136-3.978 4.522-.17-.102c-1.496-1.054-4.318-1.632-6.324-1.632-5.746 0-8.33 1.802-8.33 5.814 0 4.046 2.55 5.848 8.33 5.848 2.006 0 4.828-.578 6.324-1.632l.17-.102 3.978 4.522-.204.136c-2.686 1.836-6.63 2.924-10.608 2.924z"/> <path d="m20.876 1.08801v11.08399c-1.02-1.904-10.132-11.08399-19.244-11.08399h-1.632v21.38599h6.392v-13.05599c1.632 0 9.656 5.60999 14.042 13.05599h6.766v-21.38599z"/> <path d="m35.2247 116.144c-.034-.034-.034 0 0 0z"/> <path d="m32.4355 65.858-.034-.136-1.666-4.046 5.848-1.734c.272-.102.374-.306.374-.544s-.136-.442-.374-.544l-5.848-1.734 1.666-4.046.034-.136c0-.034 0-.068 0-.102 0-.068 0-.136-.034-.17 0 0 0 0 0-.034-.068-.102-.136-.204-.272-.272 0 0 0 0-.034 0-.068-.034-.102-.034-.17-.034-.034 0-.068 0-.102 0l-.136.034-4.046 1.666-1.734-5.848c-.102-.272-.34-.374-.544-.374-.238 0-.476.136-.544.374l-1.734 5.848-4.046-1.666-.136-.034c-.034 0-.068 0-.102 0-.068 0-.136 0-.17.034 0 0 0 0-.034 0-.102.068-.204.136-.272.272v.034c-.034.068-.034.102-.034.17v.102l.034.136 1.666 4.046-5.848 1.734c-.272.102-.374.306-.374.544s.136.476.374.544l5.848 1.734-1.666 4.046-.034.136v.102c0 .068 0 .136.034.17v.034c.068.102.136.204.272.272h.034c.068.034.102.034.17.034h.102l.136-.034 4.046-1.666 1.734 5.848c.102.272.34.374.544.374.238 0 .442-.136.544-.374l1.734-5.848 4.046 1.666.136.034h.102c.068 0 .136 0 .17-.034h.034c.102-.068.204-.136.272-.272 0 0 0 0 0-.034.034-.068.034-.102.034-.17 0-.034 0-.068 0-.102z"/> <path d="m47.089 138.686c0-.034 0-.034 0-.068-.102-.544-.272-1.088-.476-1.598-1.156-2.754-3.468-4.624-6.426-5.168-.17-.408-.34-1.292-.34-2.346 0-2.312.85-5.44 4.624-6.052 3.672 12.614 10.744 21.59 16.32 21.59h.034 10.438.034c.918 0 2.21-.204 3.026-1.292.714-.952.986-2.176.986-3.4 0-1.496-.442-3.026-1.054-4.182-.782-1.462-2.754-3.808-7.072-4.25-1.87-3.026-2.856-7.174-2.856-11.594 0-9.588 4.488-20.57 13.906-24.854.136-.068.204-.17.204-.306s-.102-.272-.238-.34c-.646-.204-1.36-.306-2.142-.306-3.944 0-9.282 2.788-13.668 10.03-1.802 2.992-3.536 8.466-3.536 14.722 0 4.692.714 9.418 3.366 14.314 0 0-1.36 1.36-1.53 2.754h6.494c1.428 0 3.536 1.836 3.536 3.842h-9.962c-5.78-2.822-10.948-15.3-11.696-22.134-.442-3.944-.17-8.092-.17-8.092h-6.732c0-8.704 2.822-18.224 11.662-25.806.068-.068.034-.136.034-.204 0-.136-.136-.238-.272-.238-.17-.034-.374-.034-.578-.034-3.162 0-7.378 2.516-10.336 6.528-4.012 5.44-6.426 13.736-6.426 22.27 0 .952.034 1.632.102 2.992h7.106v-.068c.068 1.19.204 2.788.204 2.788s-.578.068-1.462.34c-.85.272-2.006.714-3.196 1.496-2.312 1.53-4.624 4.148-4.624 8.942 0 2.04.408 4.42 1.394 7.174h2.72c1.428 0 4.08 2.074 4.08 4.25h-9.418c-1.564-.85-6.834-4.318-8.908-20.944-.306-2.414-.442-4.658-.442-6.8 0-15.572 7.174-24.48 11.9-28.526 5.27-4.556 11.9-7.038 17.476-7.038 1.666 0 3.23.34 4.624.782.136-1.53 5.202-9.01 11.9-10.064.034 0 6.358 2.482 13.328 2.278 4.726-.136 7.446-1.224 10.642-3.026-1.088-1.19-1.496-2.312-1.496-3.23 0-1.836 1.7-3.026 3.366-3.026.714 0 1.394.204 1.972.646 0 0 0 0 .034.034.306.238.578.544.782.952 0 .034.034.034.034.068.204.408.374.85.442 1.394v.068c.034.17.068.34.068.544 4.318-2.074 7.65-2.89 9.962-2.89 2.04 0 3.298.612 3.808 1.564v.034c-2.652.748-4.692 1.564-5.508 1.972.748 1.7 2.346 2.142 4.318 2.142 2.176 0 4.794-.544 7.208-.544.816 0 1.632.068 2.38.238h-.102c-.51 1.428-1.36 3.672-1.666 4.352-.272.68-2.516 1.496-5.338 2.652s-6.086 2.55-8.432 4.08c-7.514 4.828-9.146 12.444-9.146 12.444-6.052 0-7.99 2.788-10.37 6.664-1.122 1.802-6.8 13.26-12.886 15.3-2.55.85-4.896 2.686-4.896 5.134v.238c.952-.238 2.04-.374 3.298-.408 5.508-.034 7.752 2.958 7.752 2.958-3.264 3.264-4.114 6.358-4.114 8.67 0 1.734.476 3.026.816 3.638.952 1.7 3.128 3.434 5.134 3.434.34 0 .884-.102 2.006-.476 1.088-.374 7.786-4.318 10.132-8.772 1.156-2.21 1.564-4.862 1.564-7.072 0-.272 0-.51 0-.782-.136-2.992-.578-6.018-.918-9.01-.476-4.352-1.088-7.548-1.088-9.826 0-1.836.408-3.094 1.564-3.91 1.156-.782 3.128-1.122 6.188-1.122 1.564-8.942 5.678-12.376 15.946-16.252 3.74-1.428 6.664-2.618 7.99-5.406l.068-.17c.374-.952 1.598-4.148 2.04-5.746.102-.306.136-.646.136-.952 0-.918-.374-1.768-1.054-2.482-1.394-1.428-4.692-2.04-7.174-2.04-.408 0-.782 0-1.122.034-1.326-3.74-4.93-4.862-8.67-4.862-2.924 0-5.95.714-8.092 1.428-.816-1.666-2.754-2.618-5.134-2.686-.102 0-.17 0-.272 0-3.842 0-6.494 2.618-7.14 4.76-.17.578-.272 1.122-.272 1.7 0 .544.102 1.088.272 1.632-1.666.442-3.434.646-5.168.646-6.698 0-13.226-2.686-13.26-2.686s-.612.136-1.598.476-2.38.85-3.91 1.598c-3.06 1.496-6.766 4.114-9.316 7.922 0 0-.544 0-.782 0-7.31 0-16.388 3.196-21.964 8.092-5.44 4.76-13.77 14.926-13.77 32.606 0 2.38.136 4.828.476 7.48 2.55 20.502 11.084 24.956 14.144 24.956h10.846c.646 0 1.292-.17 1.768-.612.102-.068.17-.17.272-.272.068-.068.102-.102.17-.17.306-.374.578-.816.748-1.292.034-.034.034-.102.068-.136.238-.68.374-1.462.374-2.278.102-.714.034-1.258-.068-1.802zm42.466-15.47c-.714 3.264-3.944 5.44-7.582 7.786-.918-.51-1.258-1.224-1.496-1.972-.068-.204-.102-.408-.102-.646 0-1.02.646-2.448 1.802-3.91l1.632 1.428c.612-.816.884-1.904.884-3.06 0-3.094-2.074-6.868-5.984-8.194h-.034l.034-.034c3.774-2.856 7.208-7.514 8.908-10.914l.034-.034v.068c.442 4.25 2.312 10.472 2.312 15.878-.034 1.224-.17 2.448-.408 3.604z"/> </g> <g class="c-logo__tertiary"> <path d="m115.395 92.242v17.306c0 30.294-24.6498 54.91-54.9098 54.91-30.294 0-54.91-24.65-54.91-54.91v-71.094h109.8538v9.996.102c0 4.828 3.774 5.542 5.542 5.542v-21.182h-120.9377969v76.636c0 33.32 27.1319969 60.452 60.4519969 60.452s60.4518-27.132 60.4518-60.452v-22.882c-1.768.034-5.542.748-5.542 5.576z"/> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="l-footer__top-second"> <ul class="c-menu c-menu--footer"> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/about" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67014">About NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/data-reports-resources" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66963">Policy Resources</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/media" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/66972">Media Center</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/careers" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67044">Careers</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/contact-us" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67053">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/es/nrdc-espanol" class="c-menu__link js-top-level">En Español</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-footer__bottom theme-default"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-footer__bottom-inner"> <div class="l-footer__bottom-first"> </div> <div class="l-footer__bottom-second"> <div class="l-footer__bottom-second-top"> <ul class="c-menu c-menu--footer-social"> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-bluesky"></use></svg> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nrdc-org.bsky.social" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-bluesky js-top-level">Bluesky</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-facebook"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nrdc.org" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-facebook js-top-level">Facebook</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-instagram"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nrdc_org/" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-instagram js-top-level">Instagram</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-linkedin"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-defense-council/" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-linkedin js-top-level">LinkedIn</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-rss"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/rss.xml" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-rss js-top-level">RSS</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-tiktok"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nrdc.org" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-tiktok js-top-level">TikTok</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-x-twitter"></use></svg> <a href="https://twitter.com/nrdc" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-x-twitter js-top-level">X</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--footer-social" role="img" aria-hidden="true"><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#circle-youtube"></use></svg> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/NRDCflix" class="c-menu__link c-menu__link--icon-circle-youtube js-top-level">YouTube</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="l-footer__bottom-second-bottom"> <ul class="c-menu c-menu--footer-utility"> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/sitemap" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67083">Sitemap</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/privacy-policy" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3202">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="c-menu__item"> <a href="/state-disclosures" class="c-menu__link js-top-level" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/67320">State Disclosures</a> </li> </ul> <div class="c-copyright"> © 2024 NRDC. All rights reserved. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <a href="#top" class="c-back-to-top" title="Back to top" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"> <svg class="c-icon c-icon--back-to-top" role="img"><title>Back to top</title><use href="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/images/sprite.artifact.svg#angle"></use></svg></a> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/common.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/back-to-top.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/universal.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/html.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/table--sortable.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/card-grid.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/card.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/wysiwyg.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/social-share.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/dropdown-menu.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/search-modal.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/sitewide_alert/js/init.js?v=10.3.10"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/modal.es6.js?solo3v"></script> <script src="/themes/nrdc_theme/dist/js/donation-popup.es6.js?solo3v"></script> </body> </html>