Meanwhile, WWF-Philippines Forests for Water Project Manager Paolo Pagaduan presented WWF’s goal of restorative conservation as being an important part of protecting ecosystems and preventing the next pandemic. A natural scientist who has worked to restore habitats across the Philippines for over two decades, Pagaduan sees the role that protecting natural habitats plays in keeping the next pandemic at bay.

“We need to support activities that protect and restore natural habitats… And we also have to minimize our footprint, the way we consume the environment,” reminded Pagaduan, reiterating a point made by Galster that habitat loss increases the chances of new pandemics arising. As habitats disappear, explained Galster and Pagaduan, animals are forced to move closer to humans – exposing us to viruses that our immune systems are not prepared for.

Both Galster and Pagaduan proposed a number of measures to prevent the next pandemic. These measures include a ban on the commercial trade of wild animals; the establishment of a multi-agency task force to combat illegal wildlife trade; livelihood exit plans for those who deal with wildlife trade; crackdowns on regional cross border trade; along with efforts to reduce environmental degradation and restore damaged habitats. All these efforts, reminded Galster and Pagaduan, require strategy, political will and international cooperation for them to be effective.