Biota

It is impossible to properly analyze what caused Covid-19 without also looking at how destruction of nature and anthropogenic climate change has contributed.

This paper (published in 2008, BEFORE Covid) is predicting trends of Emerging Infectious Diseases by analyzing EIDs between 1994 and 2004. What they found is that emerging infections diseases are largely wildlife-based (71.8%) and are correlated strongly with environmental factors (Example: Ebola, SARS and HIV are all zoonotic and are correlated with wildlife encounters). As we destroy nature, we increase the opportunity of these potentially deadly wildlife encounters that result in the evolution of super-pathogens. They also found that the emergence of infections diseases with a wildlife origin are increasing steadily over time as humans destroy forests and we are coming in contact with more species of wildlife that we do not have experience residing closely with throughout history. This paper is predicting a future where more infectious diseases emerge with a wildlife encounter origin. The spread of Covid-19 is within the predictive trends of this paper.

Covid is another example of how the health of our natural areas is connected deeply to the health of our people. We will continue to see this trend as we continue to destroy natural spaces and drive wildlife out of the forests and into our backyards.

How can you help?
1. Vote for local and national leaders who will take climate change and its effects seriously enough to prepare for it
2. Make a serious effort to believe, follow and learn how science is done.
3. Make choices for yourself and your family that are environmentally conscious
4. Protect wild spaces in whatever way you can

Global trends in emerging infectious diseases The origins of emerging infections diseases are significantly correlated with socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors.