Biota

It is impossible to properly analyze what caused Covid-19 without also looking at how destruction of nature and anthropogenic climate change has contributed.

This paper (published in 2008, BEFORE Covid) is predicting trends of Emerging Infectious Diseases by analyzing EIDs between 1994 and 2004. What they found is that emerging infections diseases are largely wildlife-based (71.8%) and are correlated strongly with environmental factors (Example: Ebola, SARS and HIV are all zoonotic and are correlated with wildlife encounters). As we destroy nature, we increase the opportunity of these potentially deadly wildlife encounters that result in the evolution of super-pathogens. They also found that the emergence of infections diseases with a wildlife origin are increasing steadily over time as humans destroy forests and we are coming in contact with more species of wildlife that we do not have experience residing closely with throughout history. This paper is predicting a future where more infectious diseases emerge with a wildlife encounter origin. The spread of Covid-19 is within the predictive trends of this paper.

Covid is another example of how the health of our natural areas is connected deeply to the health of our people. We will continue to see this trend as we continue to destroy natural spaces and drive wildlife out of the forests and into our backyards.

How can you help?
1. Vote for local and national leaders who will take climate change and its effects seriously enough to prepare for it
2. Make a serious effort to believe, follow and learn how science is done.
3. Make choices for yourself and your family that are environmentally conscious
4. Protect wild spaces in whatever way you can

Global trends in emerging infectious diseases The origins of emerging infections diseases are significantly correlated with socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors.

Gorgeous wild find (Antheraea polyphemus) from Nova Scotia 😍

I am open for identification!

Please send me your bugs to ID BUT include the following information:

>location (country, state, province)
>closer location (where was it? On a tree? What kind. By water? What kind)
>season (if it is an old photo)
>> multiple clear photos from multiple angles

Clues to the impact of climate change may seep from a volcano in Costa Rica An expedition to steamy northwestern Costa Rica searches for clues to climate change and how carbon dioxide seeping from a volcano might affect trees in the tropical jungle.

Working from home 🦋

Amauta cacica - The giant butterfly moth

Nature game of the month!

I've started to do monthly game reviews because my nature game collection is growing and I thought it would be fun to share them with everyone.

This is (definition: the smell immediately after it rains) a cute 1-4 player game where you play as a little cloud and work to water and harvest the best crops. It brings in features of the water cycle and agriculture and is just a really pleasant game. Playtime is about 20m/player and despite how cute and fluffy it seems, there is deep strategy here.

Pick it up if you're bored at home!