yeah thank you very much and indeed it is a different topic that I want to talk
is a different topic that I want to talk
is a different topic that I want to talk about then the topic that I usually talk
about then the topic that I usually talk
about then the topic that I usually talk about which is the narrative of
about which is the narrative of
about which is the narrative of biodiversity science that we’ve created
biodiversity science that we’ve created
biodiversity science that we’ve created over the past several decades but in
over the past several decades but in
over the past several decades but in recent we’re not quite working okay
recent we’re not quite working okay
recent we’re not quite working okay in recent times we’ve started thinking
in recent times we’ve started thinking
in recent times we’ve started thinking about what role we as scientists should
about what role we as scientists should
about what role we as scientists should play in advocating the information that
play in advocating the information that
play in advocating the information that we gather from the world around us and
we gather from the world around us and
we gather from the world around us and what role should we play maybe as more
what role should we play maybe as more
what role should we play maybe as more honest brokers as as people who are
honest brokers as as people who are
honest brokers as as people who are unbiased in our presentation of the data
unbiased in our presentation of the data
unbiased in our presentation of the data and of the information that we have and
and of the information that we have and
and of the information that we have and as you can imagine this is quite
as you can imagine this is quite
as you can imagine this is quite difficult to sit to separate these kinds
difficult to sit to separate these kinds
difficult to sit to separate these kinds of things this kid does not seem to want
of things this kid does not seem to want
of things this kid does not seem to want to work ok so this is how we usually
to work ok so this is how we usually
to work ok so this is how we usually view scientists we think about them in
view scientists we think about them in
view scientists we think about them in the lab we think about them in the field
the lab we think about them in the field
the lab we think about them in the field they’re out collecting data they’re
they’re out collecting data they’re
they’re out collecting data they’re testing hypotheses and then they’re
testing hypotheses and then they’re
testing hypotheses and then they’re presenting the information that they
presenting the information that they
presenting the information that they gathered to the world of course science
gathered to the world of course science
gathered to the world of course science isn’t so clean we’re humans and as
isn’t so clean we’re humans and as
isn’t so clean we’re humans and as humans we have to start thinking about
humans we have to start thinking about
humans we have to start thinking about the role that we play in the world
the role that we play in the world
the role that we play in the world around us so what are we to do as
around us so what are we to do as
around us so what are we to do as scientists and about a month ago this is
scientists and about a month ago this is
scientists and about a month ago this is why it’s very timely and fascinating a
why it’s very timely and fascinating a
why it’s very timely and fascinating a little bit more than a month ago and on
little bit more than a month ago and on
little bit more than a month ago and on Earth Day there was the first-ever March
Earth Day there was the first-ever March
Earth Day there was the first-ever March for science now this started in the
for science now this started in the
for science now this started in the United States but it traveled all across
United States but it traveled all across
United States but it traveled all across the world tens and hundreds of thousands
the world tens and hundreds of thousands
the world tens and hundreds of thousands of people participated in march for
of people participated in march for
of people participated in march for science many of them in their very first
science many of them in their very first
science many of them in their very first ever protest because scientists are
ever protest because scientists are
ever protest because scientists are often thought of as introverted folks or
often thought of as introverted folks or
often thought of as introverted folks or unbiased folks that are in the lab here
unbiased folks that are in the lab here
unbiased folks that are in the lab here they are out in the in the world saying
they are out in the in the world saying
they are out in the in the world saying hey let’s stand up for science let’s
hey let’s stand up for science let’s
hey let’s stand up for science let’s talk about science and really give us a
talk about science and really give us a
talk about science and really give us a role at the table it was supposed to be
role at the table it was supposed to be
role at the table it was supposed to be a nonpartisan event clearly however it’s
a nonpartisan event clearly however it’s
a nonpartisan event clearly however it’s very difficult especially on Earth Day
very difficult especially on Earth Day
very difficult especially on Earth Day to think about nonpartisan dynamics
to think about nonpartisan dynamics
to think about nonpartisan dynamics when we’re dealing with the current
when we’re dealing with the current
when we’re dealing with the current environment all over the world but in
environment all over the world but in
environment all over the world but in particular in the United States about
particular in the United States about
particular in the United States about what role science and scientist should
what role science and scientist should
what role science and scientist should play and so this got me thinking what
play and so this got me thinking what
play and so this got me thinking what role do we play are we really honest
role do we play are we really honest
role do we play are we really honest brokers and there’s actually a debate in
brokers and there’s actually a debate in
brokers and there’s actually a debate in the blogosphere right now and over
the blogosphere right now and over
the blogosphere right now and over Twitter about whether we have gone too
Twitter about whether we have gone too
Twitter about whether we have gone too far doing with these kinds of marches
far doing with these kinds of marches
far doing with these kinds of marches we’re losing our credibility as honest
we’re losing our credibility as honest
we’re losing our credibility as honest brokers if we go out there and sort of
brokers if we go out there and sort of
brokers if we go out there and sort of try to advocate for what we believe and
try to advocate for what we believe and
try to advocate for what we believe and it’s a real challenge to think about how
it’s a real challenge to think about how
it’s a real challenge to think about how to balance these kinds of things and
to balance these kinds of things and
to balance these kinds of things and scientists are really struggling with
scientists are really struggling with
scientists are really struggling with these kinds of ideas right now and so I
these kinds of ideas right now and so I
these kinds of ideas right now and so I want to go back a little bit in history
want to go back a little bit in history
want to go back a little bit in history and say okay well let’s think about
and say okay well let’s think about
and say okay well let’s think about scientists from historical times and
scientists from historical times and
scientists from historical times and think about what role they played as
think about what role they played as
think about what role they played as brokers versus advocates and this was
brokers versus advocates and this was
brokers versus advocates and this was Alexander von Humboldt at the time one
Alexander von Humboldt at the time one
Alexander von Humboldt at the time one of the most famous scientists in the
of the most famous scientists in the
of the most famous scientists in the world probably one of the most well
world probably one of the most well
world probably one of the most well known people in the world right from
known people in the world right from
known people in the world right from right here in Germany he did a number of
right here in Germany he did a number of
right here in Germany he did a number of things some of them that are familiar to
things some of them that are familiar to
things some of them that are familiar to my field our he started thinking about
my field our he started thinking about
my field our he started thinking about plants and plant traits as you for
plants and plant traits as you for
plants and plant traits as you for example went up mountains you’d see
example went up mountains you’d see
example went up mountains you’d see different kinds of species up and down
different kinds of species up and down
different kinds of species up and down mountains with different kinds of traits
mountains with different kinds of traits
mountains with different kinds of traits and he sort of made some hypotheses
and he sort of made some hypotheses
and he sort of made some hypotheses about that what that might do
about that what that might do
about that what that might do importantly however humble was also very
importantly however humble was also very
importantly however humble was also very interested and advocating for science in
interested and advocating for science in
interested and advocating for science in fact when we went to the United States
fact when we went to the United States
fact when we went to the United States and we saw slavery he realized what a
and we saw slavery he realized what a
and we saw slavery he realized what a horrible travesty this was and he said
horrible travesty this was and he said
horrible travesty this was and he said this to people like Thomas Jefferson and
this to people like Thomas Jefferson and
this to people like Thomas Jefferson and said hey we need to start really
said hey we need to start really
said hey we need to start really worrying about these kinds of things he
worrying about these kinds of things he
worrying about these kinds of things he was also the first to explain the
was also the first to explain the
was also the first to explain the fundamental functions of forests and
fundamental functions of forests and
fundamental functions of forests and ecosystems and really some people
ecosystems and really some people
ecosystems and really some people suggest invented naturalism or sort of
suggest invented naturalism or sort of
suggest invented naturalism or sort of environmentalism
we also have classic well known
we also have classic well known scientists like Charles Darwin who of
scientists like Charles Darwin who of
scientists like Charles Darwin who of course realized the influence that his
course realized the influence that his
course realized the influence that his science would have on society caused him
science would have on society caused him
science would have on society caused him to think about and worry about this
to think about and worry about this
to think about and worry about this thing for many many many years before he
thing for many many many years before he
thing for many many many years before he actually published his work Alfred
actually published his work Alfred
actually published his work Alfred Wallace another co-discoverer of the
Wallace another co-discoverer of the
Wallace another co-discoverer of the theory of evolution was very fascinated
theory of evolution was very fascinated
theory of evolution was very fascinated or very impressed by the
or very impressed by the
or very impressed by the influence that humans were having on the
influence that humans were having on the
influence that humans were having on the world around and then actually started
world around and then actually started
world around and then actually started to become quite a strong
to become quite a strong
to become quite a strong environmentalist realizing that we
environmentalist realizing that we
environmentalist realizing that we needed to worry about the impact that
needed to worry about the impact that
needed to worry about the impact that humans were having around the world
humans were having around the world
humans were having around the world around us interestingly he also had some
around us interestingly he also had some
around us interestingly he also had some kind of wacky ideas he got involved in
kind of wacky ideas he got involved in
kind of wacky ideas he got involved in spiritualism later on his career and and
spiritualism later on his career and and
spiritualism later on his career and and the British government almost tried to
the British government almost tried to
the British government almost tried to take away his pension because they were
take away his pension because they were
take away his pension because they were worried about the role he had made as a
worried about the role he had made as a
worried about the role he had made as a famous scientist and now it was coming
famous scientist and now it was coming
famous scientist and now it was coming up with some sort of kooky or wacky
up with some sort of kooky or wacky
up with some sort of kooky or wacky ideas right here much closer to home
ideas right here much closer to home
ideas right here much closer to home Ernst Hackl from yenna again a very
Ernst Hackl from yenna again a very
Ernst Hackl from yenna again a very well-known invented the word ecology for
well-known invented the word ecology for
well-known invented the word ecology for science the science of ecology also
science the science of ecology also
science the science of ecology also phylogeny and another a number of other
phylogeny and another a number of other
phylogeny and another a number of other things unfortunately he also had some
things unfortunately he also had some
things unfortunately he also had some biases and those biases were quite
biases and those biases were quite
biases and those biases were quite racist and so he actually thought humans
racist and so he actually thought humans
racist and so he actually thought humans were made up of eight or nine species
were made up of eight or nine species
were made up of eight or nine species some of which were just into extinction
some of which were just into extinction
some of which were just into extinction and others of which would dominate and
and others of which would dominate and
and others of which would dominate and so clearly it’s really hard to
so clearly it’s really hard to
so clearly it’s really hard to disentangle brilliant scientists versus
disentangle brilliant scientists versus
disentangle brilliant scientists versus our own personal biases all of these
our own personal biases all of these
our own personal biases all of these guys are bring all of these guys up
guys are bring all of these guys up
guys are bring all of these guys up because they were interested in this
because they were interested in this
because they were interested in this thing that we call biodiversity and so
thing that we call biodiversity and so
thing that we call biodiversity and so it might be in butterflies it might be
it might be in butterflies it might be
it might be in butterflies it might be in plants or any other thing we’re
in plants or any other thing we’re
in plants or any other thing we’re interested in how this diversity arises
interested in how this diversity arises
interested in how this diversity arises how its distributed across the planet
how its distributed across the planet
how its distributed across the planet and maybe how it’s changing through time
and maybe how it’s changing through time
and maybe how it’s changing through time so if we for example look at the last
so if we for example look at the last
so if we for example look at the last say 1/2 billion years we see a pattern
say 1/2 billion years we see a pattern
say 1/2 billion years we see a pattern where biodiversity has been rising and
where biodiversity has been rising and
where biodiversity has been rising and rising and rising through time but you
rising and rising through time but you
rising and rising through time but you notice these triangles and these
notice these triangles and these
notice these triangles and these triangles we call extinction events so
triangles we call extinction events so
triangles we call extinction events so the big yellow ones we call mass
the big yellow ones we call mass
the big yellow ones we call mass extinction events and we have some
extinction events and we have some
extinction events and we have some parameters that define what a mass
parameters that define what a mass
parameters that define what a mass extinction event might be the previous
extinction event might be the previous
extinction event might be the previous mass extinction event was probably
mass extinction event was probably
mass extinction event was probably caused by a large asteroid that hit
caused by a large asteroid that hit
caused by a large asteroid that hit earth and caused an extinction of
earth and caused an extinction of
earth and caused an extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of all other life on
dinosaurs and 75% of all other life on
dinosaurs and 75% of all other life on Earth and we think that today we’re
Earth and we think that today we’re
Earth and we think that today we’re involved in a possibly a new mass
involved in a possibly a new mass
involved in a possibly a new mass extinction we’re not quite sure how far
extinction we’re not quite sure how far
extinction we’re not quite sure how far it’s gone but we do know the extinction
it’s gone but we do know the extinction
it’s gone but we do know the extinction rates are quite accelerated because of
rates are quite accelerated because of
rates are quite accelerated because of human activities so this is different
human activities so this is different
human activities so this is different than the other kinds of extinction
than the other kinds of extinction
than the other kinds of extinction events we’ve seen in Earth’s history
events we’ve seen in Earth’s history
events we’ve seen in Earth’s history because it’s a species on the planet
because it’s a species on the planet
because it’s a species on the planet that seems to be causing the extinction
that seems to be causing the extinction
that seems to be causing the extinction of many other species on the planet
of many other species on the planet
of many other species on the planet and so of course we know this is our
and so of course we know this is our
and so of course we know this is our narrative this is the narrative that we
narrative this is the narrative that we
narrative this is the narrative that we as biodiversity scientists bring to the
as biodiversity scientists bring to the
as biodiversity scientists bring to the world we think extinction is happening
world we think extinction is happening
world we think extinction is happening we think is happening very rapidly and
we think is happening very rapidly and
we think is happening very rapidly and of course we have lots of evidence for
of course we have lots of evidence for
of course we have lots of evidence for these kinds of things for example dodo
these kinds of things for example dodo
these kinds of things for example dodo birds a number of amphibians have been
birds a number of amphibians have been
birds a number of amphibians have been going extinct very rapidly lately
going extinct very rapidly lately
going extinct very rapidly lately because of a disease many plants are
because of a disease many plants are
because of a disease many plants are also going extinct we also know many
also going extinct we also know many
also going extinct we also know many species are quite at risk of extinction
species are quite at risk of extinction
species are quite at risk of extinction and that if the if activities continue
and that if the if activities continue
and that if the if activities continue as they’re going we’re going to see a
as they’re going we’re going to see a
as they’re going we’re going to see a lot more extinctions
lot more extinctions
lot more extinctions for example the pandas and various
for example the pandas and various
for example the pandas and various plants and reptiles numbers and numbers
plants and reptiles numbers and numbers
plants and reptiles numbers and numbers of species are threatened with
of species are threatened with
of species are threatened with extinction so yes species are
extinction so yes species are
extinction so yes species are disappearing from the planet and we can
disappearing from the planet and we can
disappearing from the planet and we can show that a lot of it has to do with
show that a lot of it has to do with
show that a lot of it has to do with human activities and this is where the
human activities and this is where the
human activities and this is where the the narrative comes from so these are
the narrative comes from so these are
the narrative comes from so these are two very well-known scientists giving
two very well-known scientists giving
two very well-known scientists giving the narrative helping play a huge role
the narrative helping play a huge role
the narrative helping play a huge role in advocacy this is eel Wilson who early
in advocacy this is eel Wilson who early
in advocacy this is eel Wilson who early in the early part of his career studying
in the early part of his career studying
in the early part of his career studying ants became a quite a strong advocate
ants became a quite a strong advocate
ants became a quite a strong advocate even helped invent the term biodiversity
even helped invent the term biodiversity
even helped invent the term biodiversity quite a strong advocate for biodiversity
quite a strong advocate for biodiversity
quite a strong advocate for biodiversity conservation Jane Goodall on the right
conservation Jane Goodall on the right
conservation Jane Goodall on the right who made her career studying chimpanzee
who made her career studying chimpanzee
who made her career studying chimpanzee colonies again quite a strong advocate
colonies again quite a strong advocate
colonies again quite a strong advocate for biodiversity and animal welfare and
for biodiversity and animal welfare and
for biodiversity and animal welfare and other events these these are brilliant
other events these these are brilliant
other events these these are brilliant scientists who are playing a strong role
scientists who are playing a strong role
scientists who are playing a strong role in policy and how people perceive
in policy and how people perceive
in policy and how people perceive biodiversity creating this narrative
biodiversity creating this narrative
biodiversity creating this narrative that we have and so this is the context
that we have and so this is the context
that we have and so this is the context that I work in and that I live in we’ve
that I work in and that I live in we’ve
that I work in and that I live in we’ve created a narrative biodiversity is
created a narrative biodiversity is
created a narrative biodiversity is declining and this narrative the German
declining and this narrative the German
declining and this narrative the German government has recently funded and taken
government has recently funded and taken
government has recently funded and taken a leadership role at the integrative
a leadership role at the integrative
a leadership role at the integrative biodiversity Center based in Leipzig but
biodiversity Center based in Leipzig but
biodiversity Center based in Leipzig but also at Halle Indiana taking a
also at Halle Indiana taking a
also at Halle Indiana taking a leadership role in the science of this
leadership role in the science of this
leadership role in the science of this biodiversity and so here is our
biodiversity and so here is our
biodiversity and so here is our narrative the narrative is that humans
narrative the narrative is that humans
narrative the narrative is that humans are increasing in their population on
are increasing in their population on
are increasing in their population on the planet and we’re using the resources
the planet and we’re using the resources
the planet and we’re using the resources of those planet by doing so we are
of those planet by doing so we are
of those planet by doing so we are affecting biodiversity
affecting biodiversity
affecting biodiversity we’re driving species extinct we’re
we’re driving species extinct we’re
we’re driving species extinct we’re changing the structure of biodiversity
changing the structure of biodiversity
changing the structure of biodiversity in many different ways and as a result
in many different ways and as a result
in many different ways and as a result we know now that biodiversity also has a
we know now that biodiversity also has a
we know now that biodiversity also has a relatively strong influence on the
relatively strong influence on the
relatively strong influence on the global ecosystem or at least on local
global ecosystem or at least on local
global ecosystem or at least on local dynamics within that global ecosystem
dynamics within that global ecosystem
dynamics within that global ecosystem and so we have this narrative humans
and so we have this narrative humans
and so we have this narrative humans affect biodiversity usually negatively
affect biodiversity usually negatively
affect biodiversity usually negatively biodiversity affects ecosystem functions
biodiversity affects ecosystem functions
biodiversity affects ecosystem functions and functions go and affect our personal
and functions go and affect our personal
and functions go and affect our personal everyday lives and so we need to worry
everyday lives and so we need to worry
everyday lives and so we need to worry about biodiversity if we want to be
about biodiversity if we want to be
about biodiversity if we want to be happy and healthy and so forth this is a
happy and healthy and so forth this is a
happy and healthy and so forth this is a nice narrative it’s it’s not untrue but
nice narrative it’s it’s not untrue but
nice narrative it’s it’s not untrue but there’s a lot underneath this that I
there’s a lot underneath this that I
there’s a lot underneath this that I think we’re just starting to realize
think we’re just starting to realize
think we’re just starting to realize this narrative is quite biased by sort
this narrative is quite biased by sort
this narrative is quite biased by sort of our personal aesthetic and our
of our personal aesthetic and our
of our personal aesthetic and our personal feelings towards the world
personal feelings towards the world
personal feelings towards the world here’s a map and this map comes from a
here’s a map and this map comes from a
here’s a map and this map comes from a study by Tim newbould and and dozens of
study by Tim newbould and and dozens of
study by Tim newbould and and dozens of colleagues with Aidid a global analysis
colleagues with Aidid a global analysis
colleagues with Aidid a global analysis of mat global biodiversity but local
of mat global biodiversity but local
of mat global biodiversity but local biodiversity and local biodiversity
biodiversity and local biodiversity
biodiversity and local biodiversity change and so the red spots have up to
change and so the red spots have up to
change and so the red spots have up to 32 percent of local biodiversity
32 percent of local biodiversity
32 percent of local biodiversity declining you look at this map and you
declining you look at this map and you
declining you look at this map and you say oh no this is a huge problem local
say oh no this is a huge problem local
say oh no this is a huge problem local biodiversity is declining over much of
biodiversity is declining over much of
biodiversity is declining over much of the planet humans are the cause of this
the planet humans are the cause of this
the planet humans are the cause of this this is due to land use effects and then
this is due to land use effects and then
this is due to land use effects and then we know this cascades down to affect the
we know this cascades down to affect the
we know this cascades down to affect the ecosystem functioning in our own
ecosystem functioning in our own
ecosystem functioning in our own well-being unfortunately it’s not such a
well-being unfortunately it’s not such a
well-being unfortunately it’s not such a clear-cut story there are some biases
clear-cut story there are some biases
clear-cut story there are some biases that go in its brilliant science but
that go in its brilliant science but
that go in its brilliant science but there are biases that go into how we
there are biases that go into how we
there are biases that go into how we develop these kinds of narratives for
develop these kinds of narratives for
develop these kinds of narratives for example let’s take where we are right
example let’s take where we are right
example let’s take where we are right here in Halle colleagues of mine at M Lu
here in Halle colleagues of mine at M Lu
here in Halle colleagues of mine at M Lu and that idea have taken advantage of an
and that idea have taken advantage of an
and that idea have taken advantage of an amazing data set and this amazing data
amazing data set and this amazing data
amazing data set and this amazing data set goes back to this late 1600s of the
set goes back to this late 1600s of the
set goes back to this late 1600s of the numbers of plants in this city hallo and
numbers of plants in this city hallo and
numbers of plants in this city hallo and what you can see through time is that
what you can see through time is that
what you can see through time is that there are more plants in the city of
there are more plants in the city of
there are more plants in the city of Halle today more plant species in the
Halle today more plant species in the
Halle today more plant species in the city of Halle today than there were
city of Halle today than there were
city of Halle today than there were several hundred years ago so even within
several hundred years ago so even within
several hundred years ago so even within this map of biodiversity declining by
this map of biodiversity declining by
this map of biodiversity declining by 2030 percent we come out to a place like
2030 percent we come out to a place like
2030 percent we come out to a place like this and we’re like there are more
this and we’re like there are more
this and we’re like there are more species of course it’s not that simple
species of course it’s not that simple
species of course it’s not that simple there’s a lot of complexity going on
there’s a lot of complexity going on
there’s a lot of complexity going on on in these data some species have gone
on in these data some species have gone
on in these data some species have gone extinct others have replaced them some
extinct others have replaced them some
extinct others have replaced them some of those others are from North America
of those others are from North America
of those others are from North America or Asia or elsewhere it’s different but
or Asia or elsewhere it’s different but
or Asia or elsewhere it’s different but we’ve quantified biodiversity as the
we’ve quantified biodiversity as the
we’ve quantified biodiversity as the numbers of things we actually see more
numbers of things we actually see more
numbers of things we actually see more things in Halle than we did several
things in Halle than we did several
things in Halle than we did several hundred years ago and so these are two
hundred years ago and so these are two
hundred years ago and so these are two of the least bias scientists that I know
of the least bias scientists that I know
of the least bias scientists that I know this is Jackie and Christina these are
this is Jackie and Christina these are
this is Jackie and Christina these are my children they love science my my wife
my children they love science my my wife
my children they love science my my wife their mother is also a biologist so we
their mother is also a biologist so we
their mother is also a biologist so we go all over the world and we collect
go all over the world and we collect
go all over the world and we collect insects and they have an insect
insects and they have an insect
insects and they have an insect collection here they’re on Hawaii and
collection here they’re on Hawaii and
collection here they’re on Hawaii and the mountaintops of Hawaii pristine
the mountaintops of Hawaii pristine
the mountaintops of Hawaii pristine environment collecting insects with
environment collecting insects with
environment collecting insects with well-known entomologist but here they
well-known entomologist but here they
well-known entomologist but here they are in Leipzig at the alt Meza and in
are in Leipzig at the alt Meza and in
are in Leipzig at the alt Meza and in number got a beer garden finding just as
number got a beer garden finding just as
number got a beer garden finding just as many species with world-renowned
many species with world-renowned
many species with world-renowned pollinator biologists and a
pollinator biologists and a
pollinator biologists and a world-renowned and biologist finding
world-renowned and biologist finding
world-renowned and biologist finding lots and lots of species they love
lots and lots of species they love
lots and lots of species they love collecting at the beer garden or in the
collecting at the beer garden or in the
collecting at the beer garden or in the place just outside the old Meza they
place just outside the old Meza they
place just outside the old Meza they don’t see this biodiversity klein in the
don’t see this biodiversity klein in the
don’t see this biodiversity klein in the same way that we do because we’ve biased
same way that we do because we’ve biased
same way that we do because we’ve biased ourselves a fair bit
ourselves a fair bit
ourselves a fair bit so let’s look back into that narrative
so let’s look back into that narrative
so let’s look back into that narrative and we have to ask ourselves actually of
and we have to ask ourselves actually of
and we have to ask ourselves actually of course we know biodiversity is declining
course we know biodiversity is declining
course we know biodiversity is declining globally but we have a lot of questions
globally but we have a lot of questions
globally but we have a lot of questions about what’s going on locally some
about what’s going on locally some
about what’s going on locally some people suggest it’s actually quite
people suggest it’s actually quite
people suggest it’s actually quite dramatic others say hey wait a minute
dramatic others say hey wait a minute
dramatic others say hey wait a minute it’s not such a big deal also we don’t
it’s not such a big deal also we don’t
it’s not such a big deal also we don’t know exactly how this biodiversity is
know exactly how this biodiversity is
know exactly how this biodiversity is going to affect the global ecosystem we
going to affect the global ecosystem we
going to affect the global ecosystem we certainly know it has a big effect on
certainly know it has a big effect on
certainly know it has a big effect on local ecosystems but we don’t know very
local ecosystems but we don’t know very
local ecosystems but we don’t know very well what is the fact that the global
well what is the fact that the global
well what is the fact that the global ecosystem is and so this is where the
ecosystem is and so this is where the
ecosystem is and so this is where the Sociology part of my talk comes in
Sociology part of my talk comes in
Sociology part of my talk comes in because I was involved in a working
because I was involved in a working
because I was involved in a working group at the idea it’s a synthesis group
group at the idea it’s a synthesis group
group at the idea it’s a synthesis group where we brought people in from around
where we brought people in from around
where we brought people in from around the world who were sort of having these
the world who were sort of having these
the world who were sort of having these fights in the literature is local
fights in the literature is local
fights in the literature is local biodiversity declining like we want the
biodiversity declining like we want the
biodiversity declining like we want the narrative to it say or actually are
narrative to it say or actually are
narrative to it say or actually are these other people more correct or how
these other people more correct or how
these other people more correct or how do we find reconciliation between these
do we find reconciliation between these
do we find reconciliation between these two views you can see this is not day
two views you can see this is not day
two views you can see this is not day one of the workshop and everybody is
one of the workshop and everybody is
one of the workshop and everybody is quite happy
quite happy
quite happy what was amazing to me is that through
what was amazing to me is that through
what was amazing to me is that through time it got uglier and uglier and uglier
time it got uglier and uglier and uglier
time it got uglier and uglier and uglier the personalities of these people really
the personalities of these people really
the personalities of these people really started to separate and so much so now
started to separate and so much so now
started to separate and so much so now that people are not talking to each
that people are not talking to each
that people are not talking to each other anymore they’re not willing to
other anymore they’re not willing to
other anymore they’re not willing to work with one another anymore the
work with one another anymore the
work with one another anymore the dialogue has become so biased both sides
dialogue has become so biased both sides
dialogue has become so biased both sides each side thinks that they’ll have the
each side thinks that they’ll have the
each side thinks that they’ll have the moral high ground one side thinks that
moral high ground one side thinks that
moral high ground one side thinks that we have this narrative and that of
we have this narrative and that of
we have this narrative and that of course parking lots and crop fields and
course parking lots and crop fields and
course parking lots and crop fields and other things have low biodiversity the
other things have low biodiversity the
other things have low biodiversity the other side says hey we look at a silly
other side says hey we look at a silly
other side says hey we look at a silly like holo we look at a lot of these long
like holo we look at a lot of these long
like holo we look at a lot of these long time series and we’re not seeing that
time series and we’re not seeing that
time series and we’re not seeing that decline they both think they have the
decline they both think they have the
decline they both think they have the moral high ground but they’re becoming
moral high ground but they’re becoming
moral high ground but they’re becoming more and more partisan right the same
more and more partisan right the same
more and more partisan right the same way that we might see it in global
way that we might see it in global
way that we might see it in global politics and elsewhere and it’s been
politics and elsewhere and it’s been
politics and elsewhere and it’s been really fascinating to me to witness the
really fascinating to me to witness the
really fascinating to me to witness the debate of brilliant smart people who all
debate of brilliant smart people who all
debate of brilliant smart people who all have the same information but they view
have the same information but they view
have the same information but they view it in very different ways even as
it in very different ways even as
it in very different ways even as scientists and so I want to just wrap up
scientists and so I want to just wrap up
scientists and so I want to just wrap up the talk by having a slight analogy to
the talk by having a slight analogy to
the talk by having a slight analogy to the context of global change climate
the context of global change climate
the context of global change climate change now notice we call it climate
change now notice we call it climate
change now notice we call it climate change nowadays 10 20 years ago we call
change nowadays 10 20 years ago we call
change nowadays 10 20 years ago we call it a global warming right and so there
it a global warming right and so there
it a global warming right and so there clearly there’s a reason for changing
clearly there’s a reason for changing
clearly there’s a reason for changing the terminology and I think the same
the terminology and I think the same
the terminology and I think the same thing has to be thought about for
thing has to be thought about for
thing has to be thought about for biodiversity science so oftentimes we
biodiversity science so oftentimes we
biodiversity science so oftentimes we see this number 97 percent 97 percent of
see this number 97 percent 97 percent of
see this number 97 percent 97 percent of all climate scientists believe that the
all climate scientists believe that the
all climate scientists believe that the climate is changing and it’s due to
climate is changing and it’s due to
climate is changing and it’s due to humans ok that’s a pretty strong effect
humans ok that’s a pretty strong effect
humans ok that’s a pretty strong effect pretty strong sort of consensus what
pretty strong sort of consensus what
pretty strong sort of consensus what about biodiversity right now we’re still
about biodiversity right now we’re still
about biodiversity right now we’re still in this battle is biodiversity declining
in this battle is biodiversity declining
in this battle is biodiversity declining locally or not what is the rate of these
locally or not what is the rate of these
locally or not what is the rate of these kinds of extinctions so let’s think
kinds of extinctions so let’s think
kinds of extinctions so let’s think about this polar bear here the polar
about this polar bear here the polar
about this polar bear here the polar bear is probably going to go extinct
bear is probably going to go extinct
bear is probably going to go extinct sadly ok we have good evidence from
sadly ok we have good evidence from
sadly ok we have good evidence from climate change modeling and other
climate change modeling and other
climate change modeling and other elsewhere that the habitat is going to
elsewhere that the habitat is going to
elsewhere that the habitat is going to disappear for the polar bear and when it
disappear for the polar bear and when it
disappear for the polar bear and when it does disappear this thing is going to
does disappear this thing is going to
does disappear this thing is going to have to swim farther to get its food and
have to swim farther to get its food and
have to swim farther to get its food and it’s in really bad shape because it’s
it’s in really bad shape because it’s
it’s in really bad shape because it’s already very rare
already very rare
already very rare this is terrible for the polar bear it’s
this is terrible for the polar bear it’s
this is terrible for the polar bear it’s terrible for us we love many of us like
terrible for us we love many of us like
terrible for us we love many of us like polar bears we like to know that they
polar bears we like to know that they
polar bears we like to know that they exist in the world
exist in the world
exist in the world biodiversity globally will decline if
biodiversity globally will decline if
biodiversity globally will decline if this thing goes extinct but what about
this thing goes extinct but what about
this thing goes extinct but what about local biodiversity in fact there are
local biodiversity in fact there are
local biodiversity in fact there are many species that are going to be quite
many species that are going to be quite
many species that are going to be quite happy with the polar bear going extinct
happy with the polar bear going extinct
happy with the polar bear going extinct right it’s not simply biodiversity is
right it’s not simply biodiversity is
right it’s not simply biodiversity is declining because the seal for example
declining because the seal for example
declining because the seal for example is eaten by the polar bear and it’s
is eaten by the polar bear and it’s
is eaten by the polar bear and it’s going to increase in this abundance it
going to increase in this abundance it
going to increase in this abundance it might be quite happy we might see more
might be quite happy we might see more
might be quite happy we might see more diversity of some of these things but of
diversity of some of these things but of
diversity of some of these things but of course we don’t know the seal also eats
course we don’t know the seal also eats
course we don’t know the seal also eats all the fish and there’s a very complex
all the fish and there’s a very complex
all the fish and there’s a very complex food web but the bottom line is that
food web but the bottom line is that
food web but the bottom line is that simply because some species go extinct
simply because some species go extinct
simply because some species go extinct doesn’t tell us anything about what
doesn’t tell us anything about what
doesn’t tell us anything about what biodiversity is going to be just like
biodiversity is going to be just like
biodiversity is going to be just like when you think about climate change
when you think about climate change
when you think about climate change climate change some places get wetter
climate change some places get wetter
climate change some places get wetter some places get drier some places get
some places get drier some places get
some places get drier some places get warmer some places get cooler it’s not
warmer some places get cooler it’s not
warmer some places get cooler it’s not just all one thing and we have to change
just all one thing and we have to change
just all one thing and we have to change the narrative and biodiversity science
the narrative and biodiversity science
the narrative and biodiversity science as well I think sometimes it declines
as well I think sometimes it declines
as well I think sometimes it declines locally regionally globally sometimes it
locally regionally globally sometimes it
locally regionally globally sometimes it doesn’t and by creating this narrative
doesn’t and by creating this narrative
doesn’t and by creating this narrative we’ve created this sort of bias so
we’ve created this sort of bias so
we’ve created this sort of bias so strongly that we can’t see the data so
strongly that we can’t see the data so
strongly that we can’t see the data so clearly to think about wind biodiversity
clearly to think about wind biodiversity
clearly to think about wind biodiversity is declining and when it’s not and that
is declining and when it’s not and that
is declining and when it’s not and that there are good reasons for this so
there are good reasons for this so
there are good reasons for this so that’s all I wanted to say to you about
that’s all I wanted to say to you about
that’s all I wanted to say to you about just to give you a little bit of idea of
just to give you a little bit of idea of
just to give you a little bit of idea of the underbelly of science and how our
the underbelly of science and how our
the underbelly of science and how our biases can manifest in the narratives
biases can manifest in the narratives
biases can manifest in the narratives that we tell thank
that we tell thank
that we tell thank [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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