New York City on the Rat Chase

New York City is currently struggling to find a solution to its rat problem. Although the subject may seem common at first glance, the problem of rats is a terrible problem for New York City, and the local government has been giving this issue a high priority. While tourists to New York City can be seen filming rat races in local train stations, restaurants, and roadsides, the problem of rats in homes and apartments is just as intense. The rat is now infamously associated with the identity of New York City.

According to research by M&M Pest Control, there are an estimated 3 million rats in New York City, which is about one-third of New York City's total population. Since 2010, the number of rats in New York City has increased by 50 percent. New York City has the highest population of brown rats in the world. Average rat weight is 350 grams for males and 250 grams for females (M&M Pest Control Report, 2023). In New York City, about 550,000 homes were reported to have rats. Citywide, 972,000 reported indoor rats to local government, and 341,000 children live in rat-infested homes (New York City Department of Environment and Health).

Climate change is seen as a major factor in this increase in rat populations. Rat reproduction usually slows significantly during the winter. As the temperature rises, some rats will die, but their numbers will increase significantly as more rats are born. These rats tend to be bigger and more aggressive than before. Changes in the life-science of mice due to climate change are affecting human life. Mice can adapt to changing climates more than many other animals. If it is very hot, they even move to another area.

New York City is known to have the perfect climate for rat breeding. The gray rat found in this area can breed six times a year, giving birth to up to 12 babies at each litter. Breeding starts earlier in the spring in the US, and average summer temperatures are also increasing. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, summer temperatures in New York City have risen 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970. Along with the increase in temperature, issues such as waste management have also played a role in the increase in the number of rats. As the temperature rises, the garbage decomposes faster, creating a more favorable environment for rats.

New York City is facing a public health concern with the rat population as leptospirosis infections increase with the growing rat population. Experts have blamed climate change not only for the rise in rat populations, but also for the rise in leptospirosis infections. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with animal urine. The infection reached its highest point in New York City in 2023, and a 4-month report in 2024 shows further growth this year. Compared to 2001 to 2020, leptospirosis infections increased 5-fold in 2021 and 2022, and 8-fold in 2023. Six people have died from the infection so far (New York City Health Department Advisory, April 12, 2024).

Leptospira bacteria are weakened and can die within minutes in dry heat or cold temperatures. However, factors such as excessive rainfall and unseasonably hot temperatures related to climate change have allowed Leptospira to survive for a long time in New York City, according to the Deputy Commissioner of the Disease Control Division of the New York City Health Department. An advisory issued by Celine Quinn states. This is further confirmed by the fact that half of the cases of infection are reported in the months of June and October, as June and October are hotter than previous years, with more rainfall and an increase in the number of hot days.

Mahwas Siddiqui, an American diplomat specializing in climate change, also says there is a link between extreme weather events and the spread of leptospirosis. In her personal opinion (not on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), she says that Leptospirosis, caused by bacteria found in animal urine, thrives in tropical climates. Heavy rainfall and flooding associated with climate change could increase the spread of rodents in areas like New York City and increase risk.'' The author, Siddiqui, also advocated sub-national engagement to advance climate diplomacy in the document. Mahwas Siddiqui suggests that collaboration with other cities facing similar challenges could be valuable for New York City. She says, 'For example, city leaders in the US and Nepal, who are facing similar challenges, can share strategies on climate and public health issues, including rat control and public awareness campaigns. New York City must leverage global partnerships with city leaders around the world to address leptospirosis and other climate-related risks.'' Since then, various initiatives have been stepped up in New York to control rats. The method of exterminating rats inside holes by pumping in carbon monoxide is considered effective. Because the use of poisons and traps creates unsafe conditions for domestic animals and other wildlife. According to this method, carbon monoxide is pumped into New York City's yards, parks, holes, and tree holes. This method is also more humane as the mice go to sleep before dying.

The New York City Mayor's Office's new waste management campaign is also effective in controlling rats, according to the New York City Department of Sanitation, which has seen a drop in the number of reports to Local 311 about rat sightings in New York City. In the past year, reports of rodent sightings have decreased by 14 percent. In New York City, 44 million pounds of waste is spent every day on waste management. The local government claims that rat control is effective.

A year ago, local governments made sweeping changes to New York City's old schedule of putting garbage outside at 4 p.m. The rule that garbage can be put out in secure containers only after 6 pm and garbage bags can be put out only after 8 pm reduced the time of garbage. Similarly, when garbage was collected at 12 o'clock in the night instead of 6 o'clock in the morning, the situation of garbage remaining outside for more than 14 hours ended. A new schedule was also introduced for waste disposal by businesses. From March 1, the rule that businesses can only dispose of the 20 million pounds of waste they produce daily in sealed containers and not on the road was also introduced during the rat control campaign.

experts emphasize that climate change is the main issue and must be addressed. Professor Rebecca Bratspies, director of the City University of New York's Law School Center for Urban Environmental Justice Reform and a member of the New York City Environmental Justice Advisory Board, also emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change to address these issues.

Professor Rebecca Bratspies warns, 'Climate change is a threat multiplier. The appearance of such ailments is a sign that we are only at the beginning. Climate change has many human health risks, from heat-related, to landslides, to the spread of disease. However, we have no preparation. Climate change is an existential crisis for human civilization, democracy and the rule of law. This is the biggest challenge we face. The biggest human rights challenge, the biggest technology challenge, the biggest agricultural challenge, the biggest environmental challenge and the biggest health challenge. The law does not protect us. We have to change that. And that change is needed now. The time to act on this is now. However, this work should have been done 20 years ago.'

The New York City Health Department warned about this before, saying that due to climate change, excessive rainfall and hot temperatures will keep Leptospira bacteria alive for a long time in the New York City environment and may increase infections in the future. For years, scientists have also been warning about the outbreak of leptospirosis.

Scientists say that worldwide leptospirosis infections are associated with floods and heavy rains. Scientists have warned that changes caused by global climate change and weather events such as cyclones and floods could potentially lead to an increase in the infection of other diseases and outbreaks of leptospirosis.