Conservation News
News, views and stories from the front lines of conservation
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Ahead of pandemic talks, this doctor has nature on his mind
Human health, animal health and environmental health are interconnected. A new article published in the Lancet argues for an approach to pandemic threats that embraces this idea.
April 4, 2025
Doctors without biodiversity? New plan prescribes actions linking human health, nature
An unheralded breakthrough at the recent UN biodiversity conference highlights the often-overlooked connection between our health and the planet’s, a Conservation International expert says.
December 3, 2024
Conservationist prescribes hope in the horror
In his free time, epidemiologist Neil Vora loves dystopian fiction, where he finds something surprising for our climate future: hope.
October 23, 2024
As planet warms, pathogens on the march
The CDC recently issued a warning to expect an increased risk of dengue — part of a worrying trend on a warming planet, where disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks thrive.
June 28, 2024
In new TED talk, doctor prescribes conservation
While it may seem unusual for a medical doctor to work for a conservation nonprofit, it's centered on a powerful premise: that human health and the protection of nature are inextricably linked.
December 5, 2023
In ‘The Last of Us,’ a warning for future pandemics
In a recent New York Times op-ed, Conservation International pandemic prevention fellow Neil Vora explains how climate change is raising the risk of new health threats, including fungal pandemics, and argues that governments need to step up their preparations.
April 11, 2023
Notes from the field: Protecting an African oasis
Three countries — Angola, Botswana and Namibia — share the precious freshwater resources of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin, an oasis in the heart of the Kalahari Desert.
November 17, 2022
News spotlight: Desert bacteria could unlock more powerful antibiotics
In case you missed it: Species living in extreme conditions could advance antibiotic production.
July 26, 2022
Protecting nature to prevent pandemics costs just 1% of fighting them
Experts say the yearly cost of future pandemics will be a staggering US$ 2 trillion. For just 1 percent of that cost, the world could prevent pandemics at their source by protecting nature, according to a new study published today in Science Advances.
February 4, 2022
5 ways nature supports human health
Conservation News is highlighting how nature nurtures us — and why we must protect it. Here are a few of the ways nature supports human health.
November 5, 2021
Protect nature or risk future pandemics, expert warns
Conservation International's new pandemic prevention fellow recently discussed how his experience chasing infectious diseases and leading NYC's COVID contact tracing program has shown him why human health depends on the health of the planet.
May 27, 2021
Study: Could the Amazon become ground zero for the world’s next pandemic?
If deforestation continues to accelerate, the Amazon could be at risk of becoming ground zero for the world’s next pandemic, according to a study published today.
March 24, 2021
Report: Protect nature now — or face ‘Pandemic Era’
To prevent the next pandemic, governments must protect nature, according to a new report released today.
October 30, 2020
3 ways to prevent the next pandemic with nature, according to science
A new study published today in Science outlines a groundbreaking plan to decrease the risk of future pandemics by 27 percent or more — with a 10-year investment that is 50 times less than the cost of coronavirus response efforts to date.
July 23, 2020
Expert: Rollbacks of environmental protections imperil nature — and human health
In a recent op-ed for Scientific American, a Conservation International social scientist stressed the importance of strengthening environmental protections to prevent future pandemics.
June 28, 2020
For billions without clean water, ‘wash your hands’ is complicated
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International’s Colleen Sorto about how when it comes to water and human health, where your water comes from can be just as important as how you use it.
June 17, 2020
Conservationist: Protecting nature an ‘investment’ in our health
Conservation International's CEO explains the link between infectious diseases and the destruction of nature.
April 21, 2020
What does COVID-19 have to do with nature? These 5 articles explain
Protecting nature will be critical to preventing future pandemics, some scientists say. With that in mind, here are five articles that explore the connection between nature and human health.
April 1, 2020
Expert: To prevent pandemics like COVID-19, ‘take care of nature’
Conservation News spoke to renowned ecologist and Conservation International scientist Lee Hannah about how giving nature space could help curb future disease outbreaks.
March 27, 2020