Sunday 30 August 2020

Not Out of the Woods Yet?

 


A UN summit on biodiversity emphasises that around 30% of all emerging diseases (such as Ebola and Covid-19) can be linked of land use changes (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1067711). This is especially the case when forested areas (that we need to counter greenhouse gas emissions) are exploited by illegal logging, clearance to produce more agricultural land and illegal mining, as well as being treated simply as sources of 'bushmeat' (protein from hunted or trapped wild forest animals) or places where 'exotic' pets can be extracted for sale. We really do need to attempt to ensure that viral pathogens that are in the woods, stay in the woods. Obviously, doing this is a difficult and complex process.  It must include preventing large companies from exploiting forests but also providing alternatives for marginal people who live close to these areas. 

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