Make 2021 count for animals and the planet

More sustainable farming: By reducing demand for factory farms, live animal markets and slaughterhouses, we lessen the disease risk that comes with packing sick, stressed animals in filthy, extremely crowded conditions, where illness can easily spread. — AFP

IN a year dominated by Covid-19 headlines, it was easy for climate change and the environment to slide off the agenda: The word “climate” even fell off the Oxford Dictionary’s count of most-popular words in 2020. Yet, another recent count – the Lancet countdown on health and climate change, which collates advice from global public health experts – reminds us that we must keep climate change squarely in our thoughts moving forward.

This research collaboration monitored the relationship between climate change and public health and concluded that a warming climate threatens health, the economy and our communities.