COVID‐Clarity demands unification of health and environmental policy. (28th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gillespie, Thomas R.; Jones, Kate E.; Dobson, Andrew P.; Clennon, Julie A.; Pascual, Mercedes
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 27:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1319
• Page End: 1321
• Publication Date: 2021-01-28
• Subjects: Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

Abstract : Spillover of novel pathogens from wildlife to people, such as the virus responsible for the COVID‐19 pandemic, is increasing and this trend is most strongly associated with tropical deforestation driven by agricultural expansion. This same process is eroding natural capital, reducing forest‐associated health co‐benefits, and accelerating climate change. Protecting and promoting tropical forests is one of the most immediate steps we can take to simultaneously mitigate climate change while reducing the risk of future pandemics; however, success in this undertaking will require greater connectivity of policy initiatives from local to global, as well as unification of health and environmental policy.