Forests provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, influence rainfall patterns, and provide a habitat for the animals in the area. This means that deforestation —the act of cutting down forests— is an extremely environmentally harmful process. However, something that is not talked about enough with deforestation is how it might just be the catalyst for disease outbreaks like COVID-19.
Most of our diseases are zoonotic—approximately 60%— meaning that they are caused by pathogens that jump from nonhuman animals to humans. With our increased cutting down of forests, we come into more contact with wild animals as there is no longer a natural barrier between human and nonhuman habitats. Additionally, the displaced organisms may need to move into human habitats, further increasing the human-organism interaction rate. Similarly, deforestation reduces biodiversity and the strong few species who survive often carry diseases that are transferable to human beings.
There have even been specific studies that demonstrate this phenomenon. This study that took place in Uganda found habitat fragmentation and deforestation led nonhuman primates to raid crops. This creates increased contact with nonhuman primates which is even more risky because of our (human and primate) genetic similarity. If two species are genetically similar, it is much easier for a pathogen to infect the other species because the virus is already able to exploit the organism’s weaknesses, yet another reason why biodiversity is so important.
Since one of the main causes of deforestation is agricultural expansion —most of which is used for livestock— eating more plant-based food might be one of the best things an individual can do to help (similarly, the unsanitary conditions of factory farms are the perfect breeding grounds for disease outbreaks). Additionally, one can focus on using recycled products, using less paper, avoiding products with palm oil, buying sustainable wood, and supporting sustainable organizations whenever possible.
Image Source: https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/deforestation-drives-disease-climate-change-and-its-happening-at-a-rapid-rate
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