Environment Foundation Ltd. (EFL) will be holding a webinar on 6 June 2020 at 10 a.m. to discuss the environment-related causes and consequences of Covid-19.
The webinar will look at evidence where longer trends of climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution are playing a role in the emergence and spread of Covid-19, as well as reports that have emerged regarding the exploitation of wildlife through hunting and wild animal trade which may have increased opportunities for virus spillover.
The webinar aims to create awareness on zoonotic diseases (diseases which spread from animals to humans) and look at long-term strategies to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases, as well as highlight lifestyle and livelihood changes post-lockdown and the legal implications on environmental protection post-Covid-19.
The webinar is being conducted by the following panel of esteemed medical, environmental, financial, and legal professionals.
Keynote Speaker Prof. Malik Peiris, a world-distinguished clinical and public health virologist famous for his work in isolating the SARS virus. Currently, he serves as a member of the advisory panel on Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Health Protection Agency of Hong Kong and serves as an advisor on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Committee on Covid-19.
Dr. Eric Wikramanayake, the Director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Unit at the World Wildlife Fund, Hong Kong and the Chairperson and Senior Advisor at EFL. He is a leading conservationist and ecologist with over 25 years of experience heading conservation projects in Asian countries like Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Manori Gunawardena, a wildlife biologist who has been playing a leading role in combating illegal wildlife trafficking and promoting species conservation for more than 20 years. She is also a member of the Board of Directors at EFL.
Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya is a renowned environmental specialist and elephant conservationist who has worked as the Lead Environmental Specialist in the South Asia Environment, Water Resources, and Climate Change Unit at the World Bank. He was also briefly the Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Jean-Marc Champagne, the Head of Environmental Finance for the Asia-Pacific Region of the WWF. His main field work focuses on advising investors and leaders on the economic and financial risks related to climate change and environmental degradation issues to shift their financial flows towards sustainable investments.
The webinar is being moderated by EFL Science Division Head Dr. Chaturangi Wickramaratne. She is an environmental scientist with a special interest in climate change and hydrological modelling. She holds a PhD from Australia and is keen to contribute towards sustainable development.
This webinar is aimed at medical professionals, scientists, academics, environmentalists, the state and private sectors, and interested members of the public. Access to the webinar is free of charge.
Interested participants may register here.
