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The coronavirus crisis highlights the need to protect nature as a safeguard against future pandemics. A new report from the Center for American Progress addresses the importance of protecting land and wildlife as a preventative action against infectious diseases such as COVID-19. "It is not a coincidence that the rise in wildlife-borne diseases has occurred alongside increasing human encroachment on nature and a rapidly changing climate," the report states. "Three-quarters of the earth’s land area is now heavily altered by human use, and species extinctions is occurring at almost 1,000 times the natural rate... Habitat loss and overexploitation of wildlife—compounded by climate change—are driving factors in the disease boom."
Scientists agree that protecting 30 percent of the world's land and waters by 2030 is necessary to address the nature and climate crises. In the U.S., Senator Tom Udall has spearheaded this effort, introducing a resolution in the Senate to protect 30 percent of American lands and oceans over the next decade. Currently, about 12 percent of land and 20 percent of oceans are protected in the U.S., and this ambitious but achievable goal will increase access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, and benefit public health.
Oil prices go negative
The price of oil dropped below zero yesterday, hitting the lowest price ever at -$37.63 per barrel. A glut in global oil supply, combined with decreased demand as a result of the coronavirus, has hit oil companies hard, many of which were already operating with debt. Despite a recent deal with OPEC to cut production last week, prices continued to plummet this week as storage becomes increasingly scarce.
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The Trump administration has prioritized 'energy dominance,' which means less focus on worker safety and environmental protection and more emphasis on ensuring higher profits and lower costs for the oil and gas industry.”
