Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
[I] SARS, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2 have caused global panic since 2002, and all three viruses were transmitted to humans from wild animals living in dense tropical forests that we are clearing for crops and housing. [II] Stopping deforestation will not only reduce natural disasters but also help contain the spread of dangerous diseases like Zika, malaria, and cholera, which are linked to rainforests. [III] A 2019 study found that a 10 percent increase in deforestation would raise malaria cases by 3.3 percent; that would be 7.4 million people worldwide. [IV]
To prevent further environmental destruction, societies must take action. One important step is to reduce meat consumption, which improves health and helps reduce the demand for land used for crops and pastures. Cutting down on processed foods will decrease the need for palm oil, much of which is grown on land that used to be tropical rainforests. In addition, improving food production per hectare can meet growing demand without requiring more land, which could help reduce the pressure on forests and other ecosystems.
Governments should take immediate action to stop the spread of infectious diseases. Banning the sale of live wild animals in wet markets is critical, as these markets have been sources of diseases crossing over from animals to humans. Although these markets have cultural importance, the health risks they pose are too great to ignore. Governments must also address illegal wildlife trade, which contributes to the global spread of infectious diseases and puts more people at risk.
Ending deforestation and preventing pandemics will guarantee healthier lives, reduce hunger, and promote gender equality while encouraging sustainable land use. The COVID-19 pandemic, although devastating, serves as a reminder to shift our focus toward human achievements through better environmental management. Prioritizing sustainability will help avoid the overexploitation of natural resources and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
