How do we stop the next big viral outbreak? The answer to that question lies in preventing zoonotic spillovers. Thousands of pathogens have been silently circulating in our forests for centuries. However, climate change, deforestation and the trade of live animals increases the risk of bringing them in close proximity to humans. So how do we ensure the pathogens don’t make the jump? The answer lies in biodiversity protection. In the latest episode of Mongabay Explains, we take a look at how and why biodiversity protection efforts are crucial to preventing the next big viral outbreak. Mongabay’s Video Team wants to cover questions and topics that matter to you. Are there any inspiring people, urgent issues, or local stories that you’d like us to cover? We want to hear from you. Be a part of our reporting process—get in touch with us here! Banner image: Collage featuring Elise Paietta, a postdoctoral research scholar during fieldwork, with a tropical forest. What singing lemurs can tell us about the origin of musicThis article was originally published on Mongabay
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