The science is clear: deforestation and urbanization are major factors in the spread of many new infectious diseases including Covid19.  Covid19 is a zoonotic disease, meaning a disease that is transferred from animals to humans. What is particularly clear is that population rise and urbanization in the past quarter century has led to rapid deforestation across the globe. Reducing animal habitat to accommodate sprawling cities and commercial farming provides opportunities for pathogens to spill over from animals to humans. Read more about how Covid19 and other diseases have passed from animals to humans below.