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How to stop the next pandemic? Stop deforestation | Neil Vora
Dec 5, 2023
Neil Vora, a physician and conservationist, highlights the urgent need to protect tropical forests to prevent future pandemics. He connects environmental destruction to outbreaks like Ebola, emphasizing that deforestation increases the risk of animal-borne diseases. Vora advocates for sustainable practices and community-driven solutions that return lands to indigenous people, showcasing successful initiatives that link health care and job opportunities with forest conservation. His insights underscore the critical relationship between human health and ecological balance.
10:09
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Quick takeaways
- Deforestation increases the risk of animal-borne diseases by bringing humans closer to wildlife carrying infectious germs.
- Protecting tropical forests not only benefits health but also addresses climate change and reduces emissions.
Deep dives
The Link Between Deforestation and Disease Outbreaks
Deforestation is a key driver of new animal-borne diseases, as it brings humans closer to wildlife carrying germs that can infect us. Changes in land use, particularly deforestation, have led to an increase in animal-human interaction. Stress from losing their homes also makes animals more likely to spread disease. Additionally, over half of known infectious diseases in humans have been exacerbated by climate change, which is considered the greatest threat to human health by the World Health Organization. Protecting tropical forests is a solution that can have an immediate impact on both health and climate, as evidenced by successful efforts in the Brazilian Amazon.
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