Curb coronavirus' root cause or bear worse pandemics, say world’s leading scientists

A deadlier and more destructive catastrophe than the coronavirus pandemic will engulf the world if the root cause of COVID-19, that isthe rampant destruction of the natural world, is rapidly halted, the world’s leading biodiversity experts have warned.

According to them, ''there is a single species responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic -human beings.''

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''Recent pandemics are a direct consequence of human activity, particularly our global financial and economic systems that prize economic growth at any cost. We have a small window of opportunity, in overcoming the challenges of the current crisis, to avoid sowing the seeds of future ones.''

In an article published on Monday, Peter Daszak, who is preparingIntergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), said, ''rampant deforestation, uncontrolled expansion of agriculture, intensive farming, mining and infrastructure development, as well as the exploitation of wild species have created a ‘perfect storm’ for the spillover of diseases.''

These activities cause pandemics by bringing more people into contact and conflict with animals, from which 70 per centof emerging human diseases originate.

''COVID-19 may be only the beginning as future pandemics are likely to happen more frequently, spread more rapidly, have greater economic impact and kill more people if we are not extremely careful about the possible impacts of the choices we make today,''Daszak said.

“The health of people is intimately connected to the health of wildlife, the health of livestock and the health of the environment.'' he added.

The top scientists of the world have also recommended that the relief packages being issued by the governments across the wold should be used for the welfare of the environment.