Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the emergence of diseases in people?

The factor that does not contribute to the emergence of diseases in people is environmental conservation. This is because environmental conservation focuses on protecting ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining the health of natural environments. Such actions can actually help reduce the emergence and spread of diseases. Healthy ecosystems often have natural controls in place that keep harmful pathogens and vectors (like mosquitoes) in check.

In contrast, the other options—globalization of travel, increasing human population, and illegal transport of animals—are all directly linked to the increased risk of disease emergence. For instance, with global travel, pathogens can easily spread across borders and continents. An increasing human population can lead to greater interaction with wildlife and changes in land use that disrupt natural habitats, potentially introducing humans to new pathogens. The illegal transport of animals can also facilitate the spread of zoonotic diseases, as wildlife can carry pathogens that pose a risk to human health. Thus, while the other factors increase the risk of disease emergence, environmental conservation tends to mitigate such risks.