The COVID-19 pandemic is not a break for nature – let’s make sure there is one after the crisis

“These increased pressures on nature and rural areas are expected to persist until economies rebound and governments are able to refocus on conservation. This gives the false impression that the protection of nature is a secondary concern in controlling disease outbreaks like the current pandemic. However, the failure of protection may be the cause of this and future outbreaks. Land use change is a major driver of disease transmission from wildlife to people. Species threatened by exploitation and habitat loss are twice as likely to be sources of zoonotic disease compared to other threats. As the biologist Thomas Lovejoy noted, This pandemic is the consequence of our persistent and excessive intrusion in nature and the vast illegal wildlife trade.'”

The COVID-19 pandemic is not a break for nature – let’s make sure there is one after the crisis – World Economic Forum blog by Edward Barbier, University Distinguished Professor at the Department of Economics of Colorado State University and Leopold Fellow (2005). Earlier this year, Future Earth relaunched the Leopold Leadership Program as the Earth Leadership Program – a new venture with a global focus. Read more about the transition at EarthLeadership.org.