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This post was updated May 19, 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread around the world at lightning speed, infecting more than 4.8 million people and killing more than 319,000 people to date<\/a>. Protecting nature will be critical to preventing future pandemics, some scientists say. With that in mind, here are five articles that explore the connection between nature and human health.<\/em><\/p>\n There are parallels between the lagging global efforts to address both the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis, experts assert.<\/p>\n The Story:<\/strong> Experts agree that political pushback and a psychological inability for people to fully grasp the long-term impacts of crises contribute to ineffective global efforts to address both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, The Big Picture:<\/strong> \u201cBoth [COVID-19 and climate change] demand early aggressive action to minimize loss,\u201d said climate scientist Kim Cobb. \u201cOnly in hindsight will we really understand what we gambled on and what we lost Read the full story here.<\/a><\/p>\n The destruction of nature could cause future animal-borne disease outbreaks, experts say.<\/p>\n The Story:<\/strong> Poaching and deforestation have increased since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect, according to recent reports from Conservation International field offices. While bushmeat and ivory poaching incidents have become more The Big Picture: <\/strong>\u201cPoaching and deforestation are unfortunate and disturbing, as our health \u2014 and the health of our economies \u2014 are inextricably linked to the health of our planet,\u201d said Conservation International\u2019s Read the full story here.<\/a><\/p>\n Further reading:<\/strong> Coronavirus disrupts illegal wildlife trafficking, for now<\/a><\/p>\n Though poaching is on the rise in Africa, a new report<\/a> suggests the COVID-19 pandemic Further reading:<\/strong> The hidden toll of lockdown on rainforests<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis narrative of nature having been given a break during COVID, it\u2019s not entirely accurate,\u201d said Sebastian Troeng, executive vice-president of Conservation International, in response to the recent surge in deforestation. From endangering Individual greenhouse gas emissions are fluctuating in response to the recent coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n The Story:<\/strong> As people around the world self-isolate to curb the spread of COVID-19<\/a>, The Big Picture:<\/strong> \u201cThe biggest potential impact of this virus is the effect on the economy,\u201d said climate policy expert Christopher Jones. \u201cSo if it affects the entire economy, then that\u2019s going to affect economic Read the full story here.<\/a><\/p>\n Giving nature space could help curb future disease outbreaks, according to a renowned ecologist.<\/p>\n The Story:<\/strong> As the global wildlife trade persists and development projects expand deeper into tropical forests, humans are increasing their exposure to wild animals \u2014 and the diseases they may carry, said Lee Hannah in a recent interview<\/a> with Conservation News. When human activities such as mining and logging degrade wildlife habitats, animals are forced together and are more likely to become stressed or sick, Hannah explained, which drives The Big Picture: <\/strong>\u201cEcosystems in nature function similarly to the human body: When they are robust and healthy \u2014 which means they have diverse species and space for healthy animal populations \u2014 they are more resistant Read the full story here.<\/a> Read Bloomberg coverage here.<\/a><\/p>\n Further reading:<\/strong> Conservationist: Protecting nature an \u2018investment\u2019 in our health<\/a><\/p>\n In a recent video, Conservation International\u2019s CEO M. Sanjayan calls for renewed efforts to stop deforestation and to clamp down on the illegal trade of wild animals, particularly in the tropics, where many recent infectious disease outbreaks have The coronavirus pandemic has derailed several major global climate conferences, but experts agree that climate action must continue.<\/p>\n The Story: <\/strong>Following the postponement of several major global climate conferences due to COVID-19, Conservation International climate experts argue that there are still critical steps that countries can take to tackle the climate crisis The Big Picture:<\/strong> \u201cCrises like this pandemic demonstrate the incredible capacity of societies to come together in the face of unprecedented, insurmountable challenges and adapt,\u201d said Raghav. \u201cThis is exactly what we Kiley Price is a staff writer at Conservation International. Want to read more stories like this? Want to read more stories like this? Sign up for email updates<\/a>. Also, please consider supporting our critical work<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Cover image: The Alto Mayo Protected Forest, Peru (\u00a9 Conservation International\/photo by Bailey Evans)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n reported Somini Sengupta<\/a> for The New York Times. For example, the current U.S. administration has made
\n deep cuts to federal funding<\/a> for scientific research in recent years \u2014 particularly climate research<\/a> \u2014 which has disrupted efforts to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus, according to chemist Holden Thorp<\/a>. In addition, several behavioral scientists concur<\/a> that people have trouble processing
\n the consequences of both the current pandemic and the climate crisis because many of the negative impacts are on a longer timescale.<\/p>\n
\n by not acting early enough.\u201d From the bushfires that raged through Australia in 2019 to increased flooding in coastal cities<\/a>,
\n the impacts of the climate crisis are already affecting populations around the world. By 2100, however, researchers project that climate breakdown could kill approximately as many people<\/a> as the number of individuals who die of cancer and infectious diseases today if global warming is not limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).<\/p>\n
\n frequent in Africa, Amazonian deforestation in Brazil has reached a nine-year high since the pandemic began in 2019, reports show<\/a>. Evidence suggests that the majority of these activities were enabled by weakened enforcement efforts that people exploited \u2014 some driven by desperation, others by profit.<\/p>\n
\n CEO M. Sanjayan in a recent statement. \u201cNow, by accelerating the destruction of nature, we are only increasing the risk of future pandemics.\u201d To minimize poaching and land degradation in Africa, Conservation International is working with
\n governments to help provide alternative livelihoods. Through a community-based approach, Conservation International\u2019s Herding 4 Health program will work with farmers to help degraded rangelands recover, while improving cattle health and providing
\n a steady stream of income \u2014 even during uncertain times.<\/p>\n
\n has disrupted illegal wildlife trafficking in Southeast Asia. This could have a lasting impact on the industry \u2014 if<\/em> countries enforce stricter bans on the global trade of wild animals.<\/p>\n
\n indigenous peoples to exacerbating forest fires in the Amazon, this destruction of nature could have long-term impacts on the world\u2019s biggest rainforest, experts say.<\/p>\n
\n they could be impacting their carbon footprint \u2014 both positively and negatively, reported Chelsea Harvey<\/a> for Scientific American. Depending on weather conditions, geography and lifestyle, people that are spending more time at home could be using more energy \u2014 and releasing more individual emissions over time. For example, residents of colder regions
\n of the world may need to use individual heaters to stay warm while working from home, which is a significant part<\/a> of the average
\n individual\u2019s carbon footprint.<\/p>\n
\n output, consumption and emissions.\u201d To support the economy without increasing global emissions, companies must invest in sustainable funds \u2014 those screened for environmental, ethical and social practices \u2014 which have outperformed
\n traditional funds during the recent stock market collapse<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n the transmission of disease between human and wildlife populations.<\/p>\n
\n to disease,\u201d said Hannah. \u201cWe must take care of nature to take care of ourselves.\u201d To protect nature while preventing future pandemics, governments can implement protected areas, national parks, community conservancies and indigenous-managed
\n conservation areas, according to Hannah.<\/p>\n
\n originated.<\/p>\n5. 2020 was supposed to be the \u2018super year for nature.\u2019 What now?<\/h2>\n
\n in 2020. From engaging local communities to implementing national climate policies, governments
\n can continue to tackle climate change despite lockdown restrictions, said Maggie Comstock, Conservation International\u2019s senior director of climate policy. On an individual level, Shyla Raghav, the vice president of climate strategy at Conservation
\n International, urged people to learn from the world\u2019s rapid and definitive responses to the coronavirus.<\/p>\n
\n need to tackle climate change.\u201d According to a 2018 UN report<\/a>,
\n humanity only has about a decade left to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions \u2014 and the recent decline<\/a> in global emissions illustrates that changes in human behavior can show tangible results for climate action. \u201cCountries must find ways to make their emissions reductions goals a reality and increase the ambition,
\n conferences or no conferences,\u201d added Comstock.<\/p>\nFurther reading:<\/h2>\n