Clearing tropical forests is also a threat to human health and well-being #TEDTalks

All five viral pandemics from 1918 All five viral pandemics from 1918 through 2009 can be traced to animals. through 2009 can be traced to animals. through 2009 can be traced to animals. There are three key ways that There are three key ways that There are three key ways that deforestation leads to disease. deforestation leads to disease. deforestation leads to disease. First, the animals that survive First, the animals that survive First, the animals that survive deforestation, such as some types of deforestation, such as some types of deforestation, such as some types of bats, tend to be ones that can live bats, tend to be ones that can live bats, tend to be ones that can live alongside people. For whatever the alongside people. For whatever the alongside people. For whatever the reason, these animals often carry germs reason, these animals often carry germs reason, these animals often carry germs that can infect us. that can infect us. that can infect us. Second, when people move into deforested Second, when people move into deforested Second, when people move into deforested areas, they come into closer contact areas, they come into closer contact areas, they come into closer contact with wildlife, creating opportunities to with wildlife, creating opportunities to with wildlife, creating opportunities to pass germs back and forth. pass germs back and forth. pass germs back and forth. Finally, animals are more likely to Finally, animals are more likely to Finally, animals are more likely to spread disease when they're stressed spread disease when they're stressed spread disease when they're stressed from losing their homes. To make matters from losing their homes. To make matters from losing their homes. To make matters worse, worse, worse, the threat of infectious disease is only the threat of infectious disease is only the threat of infectious disease is only growing as our planet warms. Over half growing as our planet warms. Over half growing as our planet warms. Over half of known infectious diseases in humans of known infectious diseases in humans of known infectious diseases in humans have been aggravated by climate change have been aggravated by climate change have been aggravated by climate change at some point. But there is something we at some point. But there is something we at some point. But there is something we can do right now that would have an can do right now that would have an can do right now that would have an immediate impact on health and climate. immediate impact on health and climate. immediate impact on health and climate. What's more, it'll cost way less than What's more, it'll cost way less than What's more, it'll cost way less than fighting the next pandemic. So, what is fighting the next pandemic. So, what is fighting the next pandemic. So, what is the solution? the solution? the solution? Protecting tropical forests. What we see Protecting tropical forests. What we see Protecting tropical forests. What we see here is that people and planet don't here is that people and planet don't here is that people and planet don't need to be in conflict. We have need to be in conflict. We have need to be in conflict. We have solutions to address deforestation, and solutions to address deforestation, and solutions to address deforestation, and if we implement them wisely, we can if we implement them wisely, we can if we implement them wisely, we can prevent outbreaks and slow climate prevent outbreaks and slow climate prevent outbreaks and slow climate change.