There is only one species responsible for the pandemic of Covid-19: us. And to avoid future epidemics, which are now increasingly likely, we must act on prevention, precisely in order to safeguard human health. How? Through the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity. By reducing intensive farming and agriculture, the indiscriminate exploitation of forests and natural habitats, and the trade in wildlife. This is precisely what is needed to avoid contact between humans and more than 1.7 million unknown viruses present in nature and in animal species. This is simply the path that, as well as saving millions of human lives, would cost governments at least 100 times less than the global economic impact caused by Covid-19.

These are the conclusions of the Pandemics report, a document resulting from the collective work of 22 scientists brought together by the Intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services (Ipbes), an independent intergovernmental body recognised by the United Nations, which brings together the world's leading biodiversity experts. The body includes members of Unep, the United Nations environment programme, of the Ipcc (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and of the World Health Organisation, whose conclusions and recommendations represent the synthesis of more than 600 studies and reports published in the scientific sphere over the course of 2020.

UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Europe 🌱 @UNEP_Europe

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🦠How do pandemics emerge? 💧What are the roles of land-use change & #wildlife trade? 🐠What can we learn from #nature?

22 leading experts examined these questions and many more.

Read on their findings in the @IPBES #PandemicsReport: ipbes.net/pandemics-marq…

♥ 44 5 nov 2020 · Apri su X →

Covid-19: the sixth pandemic since the Spanish flu of 1918. But it won't be the last

According to Ipbes, the pandemic originating from the coronavirus is the sixth at global level since the Spanish flu of 1918, but it will not be an isolated case. On the contrary. As with climate change, rapid action is needed, or risk reaching a point of no return. "The same human activities that drive climate change and biodiversity loss also drive the risk of pandemics, through their impact on our environment," declared Peter Daszak, an American zoologist, one of the leading researchers in the field, who heads the Ipbes working group. His research work has led, among many discoveries, to the identification of the origin of Sars and to the discovery of the new coronavirus Sads.

ipbes @IPBES

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How can Govs reduce #pandemic emergence related to wildlife trade?

Build new 'health & trade' partnership
Reduce/remove high disease-risk species in trade
Law enforcement on illegal w/life trade
Education in disease 'hotspots'

@IPBES #PandemicsReport👉ipbes.net/pandemics

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"There are no great mysteries about the cause of the current pandemic, or of any modern pandemic," the scientist reiterated. "It all stems from how we use land, from the expansion and intensification of agriculture, from unsustainable consumption, from intensive farming. All factors that, as well as damaging ecosystems, unnaturally increase contact between wildlife, livestock, pathogens and people. Opening the way first to zoonoses (diseases that can spread between animals and humans, such as influenza, rabies and Rift Valley fever), and then to epidemics, through to pandemics." According to the zoologist, there are at least 1.7 million viruses currently "undiscovered" among mammals and birds. Of these, at least 827,000 could be capable of infecting people.

The pandemic has caused over a million deaths and enormous economic losses

With astronomical human and economic costs. Beyond the loss of more than one million people, to date, according to Ipbes (whose data are updated to the month of July), Covid-19 has caused enormous economic costs at a global level, ranging between 8 and 16 trillion dollars. And yet, the scientists state, providing strong economic incentives against the devastation of natural environments would cost 100 times less. Also because, as the Pandemics report states, it is not enough to rely on public health measures and technological solutions after the emergence of new diseases.

ipbes @IPBES

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“There is no great mystery about the cause of #COVID19 – or any modern pandemic” @PeterDaszak

"The same human activities that drive #ClimateChange & #BiodiversityLoss also drive pandemic risk through impacts on our environment"

@IPBES #PandemicsReport👉ipbes.net/pandemics

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Vaccines are not enough — prevention is needed

What is to be done, then? The report provides recommendations that should be incorporated into national government policies. Exactly as should happen with climate change, through the calls and studies of Ipcc scientists. The experts agree that escaping the era of pandemics is possible, but that this will require a systemic change in approach. The shift must be from reaction to prevention. And towards a "one health" approach, which keeps in mind the health of humans, animals and the environment, exactly as the World Health Organisation has already affirmed. To achieve this, work is needed on food security, control of the spread of zoonoses and the fight against antibiotic resistance.

UNDRR @UNDRR

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"COVID-19 has reminded us that for all our differences, we’re one humanity, and that the only way to build a safer world is together, says @DrTedros @who chief We need a "One Health" approach #DRRday #ItsAllAboutGovernance bit.ly/3k22hIA

♥ 7 13 ott 2020 · Apri su X →

A "one health" approach for humans, animals and nature is needed

Among the proposals set out in the Pandemics report is the launch of a high-level "intergovernmental council" on pandemic prevention. One capable of providing decision-makers with evidence on emerging diseases and of drawing up a mapping of high-risk areas. Combined with the design of a global monitoring framework and the assessment of the economic impact of potential pandemics. As well as the improvement and updating of prevention programmes, the so-called "pandemic plans" that will need to be constantly updated.

It is then necessary, again according to Ipbes scientists, for national governments to institutionalise the holistic approach. The first step is precisely to halt globalised agricultural expansion, including through taxes or levies on meat consumption, on livestock production and on other forms of activity that pose a pandemic risk. Such as the trade in wild animals and the consumption of wildlife. And by instead valuing those among indigenous and local populations who are committed to achieving greater food security. Sustainable for the entire ecosystem.