A Story About Himalayan Caterpillar Fungus

Here's my story about Himalayan caterpillar fungus.

Yes, that's a thing. I had never heard about Himalayan caterpillar fungus until this afternoon. Turns out it's an interesting tale  about the global economy, global trade and climate change. I read the headline at a science news site, "Himalayan caterpillar fungus may meet its demise due to climate change." And I my immediate thought was, "that's got to be a good thing, an unexpected benefit of climate change, because Himalayan caterpillar fungus sounds like some sort of disease that could threaten an ecosystem or something."   But it's a lot more complex than that.

Apparently, due to the rapid economic growth of China, more and more Chinese people are becoming wealthy enough to afford Himalayan caterpillar fungus. Why would someone want to buy Himalayan caterpillar fungus, you ask? Apparently, it is one of the most sought after traditional medicines- it's used as a cancer treatment and for other health problems.  It has become so trendy that it's driven a caterpillar fungus boom, and in Beijing it sells for three times the price of gold.

This has in turn driven a homegrown caterpillar fungus gathering industry in the Himalayan countries, with countless people now making their living from collecting and selling caterpillar fungus. It has gotten to the point that caterpillar fungus is one of the most valuable export products of the Himalayan nation of Bhutan!

But there is a threat on the horizon: as the climate warms, caterpillar fungus is becoming more scarce, because the fungus tends to prefer areas at the edges of permafrost- which is melting and retreating up the slopes of the Himalayas, so the caterpillar fungus industry and economy is under threat from climate change. And the Bhutanese caterpillar fungus harvesters may have their livelihood threatened, and soon, just like rhino horns, the people who want it in China won't be able to get it any more.

If you happen to have some Himalayan caterpillar fungus,  probably best to not eat it or drink it as a tea, unless perhaps you get cancer. It may be the most valuable treasure you own, thanks to climate change.

And now you know the rest of the story.

This is the scientific study:
The demise of caterpillar fungus in the Himalayan region due to climate change and overharvesting