We could become more resilient to future pandemics by protecting nature

The world’s wetlands could generate sustainable, agricultural livelihoods, which in turn contribute to public health through the ability to afford basic needs including nutritious food, medical care and education, writes Izabella Koziell

Wetlands are sometimes described as the 'planet’s kidneys' (Bloomberg)

The Covid-19 pandemic has provided the starkest warning to date that humankind must re-think its relationship with the world at large, from natural ecosystems to both wild and domestic animals.

The crisis is the latest shock to have disrupted business as normal, from consumption patterns and food security to economic resilience. It reminds us that global development remains at the mercy of disease and disaster. But the outbreak also presents an enormous opportunity to reposition nature at the heart of global resilience against these shared existential threats.

With pandemic recovery stimulus packages on the horizon worldwide, the public and private sector should take this chance to invest in nature-based solutions if the world is to better absorb ongoing shocks and prevent new ones in the future.