it’s a real pleasure to be here this evening but I did not expect to be here
evening but I did not expect to be here
evening but I did not expect to be here sharing with you what I’m about to until
sharing with you what I’m about to until
sharing with you what I’m about to until I was much older in the tropical sea
I was much older in the tropical sea
I was much older in the tropical sea between northern Australia and Papua New
between northern Australia and Papua New
between northern Australia and Papua New Guinea there lies a tiny coral island
Guinea there lies a tiny coral island
Guinea there lies a tiny coral island called bramble Kay this is the home the
called bramble Kay this is the home the
called bramble Kay this is the home the only home of the bramble came Elemis the
only home of the bramble came Elemis the
only home of the bramble came Elemis the species has been living there for
species has been living there for
species has been living there for thousands of years populations have been
thousands of years populations have been
thousands of years populations have been well monitored and stable but in late
well monitored and stable but in late
well monitored and stable but in late 2014 warm sea temperatures and rising
2014 warm sea temperatures and rising
2014 warm sea temperatures and rising sea levels created an enormous storm
sea levels created an enormous storm
sea levels created an enormous storm which sent waves over the top of the
which sent waves over the top of the
which sent waves over the top of the island since then have been many
island since then have been many
island since then have been many searches for the minimus but not a
searches for the minimus but not a
searches for the minimus but not a single one has been found and there are
single one has been found and there are
single one has been found and there are none in captivity the bramble que
none in captivity the bramble que
none in captivity the bramble que minimus has become the first mammal to
minimus has become the first mammal to
minimus has become the first mammal to be declared extinct due to climate
be declared extinct due to climate
be declared extinct due to climate change this is a picture of my colleague
change this is a picture of my colleague
change this is a picture of my colleague and friend Kip Kovacs and she has spent
and friend Kip Kovacs and she has spent
and friend Kip Kovacs and she has spent the last 25 northern summers out on the
the last 25 northern summers out on the
the last 25 northern summers out on the Arctic Ocean monitoring marine life
Arctic Ocean monitoring marine life
Arctic Ocean monitoring marine life she’s a specialist on this little
she’s a specialist on this little
she’s a specialist on this little species the ringed seal ringed seals
species the ringed seal ringed seals
species the ringed seal ringed seals live their entire lives on sea ice then
live their entire lives on sea ice then
live their entire lives on sea ice then almost never found on land they birthed
almost never found on land they birthed
almost never found on land they birthed their pups on sea ice and they build
their pups on sea ice and they build
their pups on sea ice and they build little caves in the snow to protect them
little caves in the snow to protect them
little caves in the snow to protect them from their main predator which is polar
from their main predator which is polar
from their main predator which is polar bears but in the last 10 years or so
bears but in the last 10 years or so
bears but in the last 10 years or so Arctic sea ice ice has declined
Arctic sea ice ice has declined
Arctic sea ice ice has declined drastically and there’s been very little
drastically and there’s been very little
drastically and there’s been very little snow this is meant that the seals had to
snow this is meant that the seals had to
snow this is meant that the seals had to pup without proper protection for their
pup without proper protection for their
pup without proper protection for their young kitten her team have observed over
young kitten her team have observed over
young kitten her team have observed over the last years that the years when
the last years that the years when
the last years that the years when almost
almost
almost no babies survived they were all taken
no babies survived they were all taken
no babies survived they were all taken by the polar bears this is obviously
by the polar bears this is obviously
by the polar bears this is obviously very concerning for the ringed seals but
very concerning for the ringed seals but
very concerning for the ringed seals but also in the long term for the polar
also in the long term for the polar
also in the long term for the polar bears I’m sure that you’ve all heard the
bears I’m sure that you’ve all heard the
bears I’m sure that you’ve all heard the tales of coral reef beating which now
tales of coral reef beating which now
tales of coral reef beating which now has become a regular phenomenon in
has become a regular phenomenon in
has become a regular phenomenon in tropical waters around the world
tropical waters around the world
tropical waters around the world Carl bleating it sounds very chemical
Carl bleating it sounds very chemical
Carl bleating it sounds very chemical very industrial but in fact if corals
very industrial but in fact if corals
very industrial but in fact if corals are animals and what happens in each
are animals and what happens in each
are animals and what happens in each bleaching event is a drama that is
bleaching event is a drama that is
bleaching event is a drama that is worthy of a Hollywood movie let me
worthy of a Hollywood movie let me
worthy of a Hollywood movie let me introduce the characters to you firstly
introduce the characters to you firstly
introduce the characters to you firstly there’s coral pale and tentacled she
there’s coral pale and tentacled she
there’s coral pale and tentacled she provides the structure she’s the
provides the structure she’s the
provides the structure she’s the homemaker then there’s a flamboyant
homemaker then there’s a flamboyant
homemaker then there’s a flamboyant colorful algae this is a yellow one but
colorful algae this is a yellow one but
colorful algae this is a yellow one but of course Sarah pink fluorescent green
of course Sarah pink fluorescent green
of course Sarah pink fluorescent green blue fantastic colors and these two have
blue fantastic colors and these two have
blue fantastic colors and these two have had a partnership that it lasted
had a partnership that it lasted
had a partnership that it lasted millions of years and that’s created
millions of years and that’s created
millions of years and that’s created coral reefs that have become recognized
coral reefs that have become recognized
coral reefs that have become recognized as wonders of the world but in the past
as wonders of the world but in the past
as wonders of the world but in the past decades sea temperatures have begun
decades sea temperatures have begun
decades sea temperatures have begun warming and then things changed in fact
warming and then things changed in fact
warming and then things changed in fact BLD take great advantage from the warmer
BLD take great advantage from the warmer
BLD take great advantage from the warmer waters and they begin photosynthesizing
waters and they begin photosynthesizing
waters and they begin photosynthesizing faster and faster and this produces such
faster and faster and this produces such
faster and faster and this produces such an excess of oxygen that it becomes
an excess of oxygen that it becomes
an excess of oxygen that it becomes toxic for the coral they can’t live with
toxic for the coral they can’t live with
toxic for the coral they can’t live with or without them the coral kick out the
or without them the coral kick out the
or without them the coral kick out the algae so turning white and stars when
algae so turning white and stars when
algae so turning white and stars when they die the reason scramble and
they die the reason scramble and
they die the reason scramble and disintegrate coral reefs cover only one
disintegrate coral reefs cover only one
disintegrate coral reefs cover only one percent of the ocean but they are home
percent of the ocean but they are home
percent of the ocean but they are home to 25% of marine life they also support
to 25% of marine life they also support
to 25% of marine life they also support the livelihoods of over a billion people
the livelihoods of over a billion people
the livelihoods of over a billion people so what’s driving these changes have
so what’s driving these changes have
so what’s driving these changes have that have begun to emerge over the last
that have begun to emerge over the last
that have begun to emerge over the last ten years
ten years
ten years clue lies in the breath that you are
clue lies in the breath that you are
clue lies in the breath that you are about to take carbon dioxide is one of
about to take carbon dioxide is one of
about to take carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases and
the most important greenhouse gases and
the most important greenhouse gases and it works to insulate the planets causing
it works to insulate the planets causing
it works to insulate the planets causing warming so let’s take a look at what
warming so let’s take a look at what
warming so let’s take a look at what carbon dioxide levels have been doing
this graph shows in white the trends in
this graph shows in white the trends in carbon dioxide levels over the last
carbon dioxide levels over the last
carbon dioxide levels over the last 800,000 years and as you can see they
800,000 years and as you can see they
800,000 years and as you can see they fluctuate relatively regularly but never
fluctuate relatively regularly but never
fluctuate relatively regularly but never go much above 300 parts per million in
go much above 300 parts per million in
go much above 300 parts per million in red is temperature and you can see how
red is temperature and you can see how
red is temperature and you can see how it tracks the carbon dioxide levels when
it tracks the carbon dioxide levels when
it tracks the carbon dioxide levels when the gas levels are high then the
the gas levels are high then the
the gas levels are high then the temperatures are high now let’s zoom
temperatures are high now let’s zoom
temperatures are high now let’s zoom towards the present right and you see
towards the present right and you see
towards the present right and you see that around about eighteen hundred’s
that around about eighteen hundred’s
that around about eighteen hundred’s the beginning of the Industrial
the beginning of the Industrial
the beginning of the Industrial Revolution that cycle changes and carbon
Revolution that cycle changes and carbon
Revolution that cycle changes and carbon dioxide levels increase rapidly this was
dioxide levels increase rapidly this was
dioxide levels increase rapidly this was the time that we started to take fossil
the time that we started to take fossil
the time that we started to take fossil fuels like coal and oil out of the
fuels like coal and oil out of the
fuels like coal and oil out of the ground burn them and then they landed up
ground burn them and then they landed up
ground burn them and then they landed up in the atmosphere
in the atmosphere
in the atmosphere this year carbon dioxide levels are
this year carbon dioxide levels are
this year carbon dioxide levels are nearly 50% higher than when the
nearly 50% higher than when the
nearly 50% higher than when the Industrial Revolution began you’re
Industrial Revolution began you’re
Industrial Revolution began you’re breathing in more than nearly 50% more
breathing in more than nearly 50% more
breathing in more than nearly 50% more co2 than your ancestors did so what do
co2 than your ancestors did so what do
co2 than your ancestors did so what do you think the stuff – the temperatures
you think the stuff – the temperatures
you think the stuff – the temperatures well this graph shows the trends of 2017
well this graph shows the trends of 2017
well this graph shows the trends of 2017 temperature relative to the past blue
temperature relative to the past blue
temperature relative to the past blue areas are where it’s cooled her head
areas are where it’s cooled her head
areas are where it’s cooled her head areas are where it’s warmer than usual
areas are where it’s warmer than usual
areas are where it’s warmer than usual overall the planet is warmed by about
overall the planet is warmed by about
overall the planet is warmed by about one degree predictions are that we all
one degree predictions are that we all
one degree predictions are that we all reach three degrees at least by the end
reach three degrees at least by the end
reach three degrees at least by the end of the century so what does carbon
of the century so what does carbon
of the century so what does carbon dioxide do well of course through
dioxide do well of course through
dioxide do well of course through warming it leads to melting ice which
warming it leads to melting ice which
warming it leads to melting ice which leads to rising sea levels but it also
leads to rising sea levels but it also
leads to rising sea levels but it also leads to an increase in extreme weather
leads to an increase in extreme weather
leads to an increase in extreme weather events so we can expect
events so we can expect
events so we can expect any increased frequency and intensity of
any increased frequency and intensity of
any increased frequency and intensity of storms droughts heat waves and floods
storms droughts heat waves and floods
storms droughts heat waves and floods carbon dioxide also dissolves in sea
carbon dioxide also dissolves in sea
carbon dioxide also dissolves in sea water to create carbonic acid and this
water to create carbonic acid and this
water to create carbonic acid and this acid effect is really detrimental for
acid effect is really detrimental for
acid effect is really detrimental for many sea creatures last year a few of us
many sea creatures last year a few of us
many sea creatures last year a few of us biologists from around the world pooled
biologists from around the world pooled
biologists from around the world pooled our knowledge of impacts that we had
our knowledge of impacts that we had
our knowledge of impacts that we had seen in our different systems and
seen in our different systems and
seen in our different systems and different regions we looked at impacts
different regions we looked at impacts
different regions we looked at impacts of climate change on genes species
of climate change on genes species
of climate change on genes species ecosystems to see just how expensive
ecosystems to see just how expensive
ecosystems to see just how expensive they were and we found that in fact 82
they were and we found that in fact 82
they were and we found that in fact 82 percent of biological processes have
percent of biological processes have
percent of biological processes have already been impacted by climate change
already been impacted by climate change
already been impacted by climate change so many people say to me this is a very
so many people say to me this is a very
so many people say to me this is a very depressing how do you stay working on
depressing how do you stay working on
depressing how do you stay working on this don’t you get depressed how do you
this don’t you get depressed how do you
this don’t you get depressed how do you keep passionate how do you keep going so
keep passionate how do you keep going so
keep passionate how do you keep going so I thought I’d share a little of my
I thought I’d share a little of my
I thought I’d share a little of my journey perhaps give some insight into
journey perhaps give some insight into
journey perhaps give some insight into your own relationship with climate
your own relationship with climate
your own relationship with climate change I began working in climate change
change I began working in climate change
change I began working in climate change in biodiversity a 15 years ago my focus
in biodiversity a 15 years ago my focus
in biodiversity a 15 years ago my focus has been on predicting climate change
has been on predicting climate change
has been on predicting climate change impacts on biodiversity and I very
impacts on biodiversity and I very
impacts on biodiversity and I very interested – in what we do about
interested – in what we do about
interested – in what we do about minimizing the impacts and I’m finding
minimizing the impacts and I’m finding
minimizing the impacts and I’m finding fascinating work truly to understand how
fascinating work truly to understand how
fascinating work truly to understand how these systems work and how species and
these systems work and how species and
these systems work and how species and ecosystems function particularly
ecosystems function particularly
ecosystems function particularly interesting to you when you change
interesting to you when you change
interesting to you when you change variables like temperature and ocean
variables like temperature and ocean
variables like temperature and ocean chemistry you get to see if you really
chemistry you get to see if you really
chemistry you get to see if you really do to understand how it worked I’ve got
do to understand how it worked I’ve got
do to understand how it worked I’ve got to work with fantastic scientists from
to work with fantastic scientists from
to work with fantastic scientists from around the world and on species ranging
around the world and on species ranging
around the world and on species ranging from lemurs to corals to mammals it’s
from lemurs to corals to mammals it’s
from lemurs to corals to mammals it’s really very interesting work that I’ve
really very interesting work that I’ve
really very interesting work that I’ve very much enjoyed but something really
very much enjoyed but something really
very much enjoyed but something really shifted today I got the message about
shifted today I got the message about
shifted today I got the message about the bramble Kakes
the bramble Kakes
the bramble Kakes action I’d been making predictions all
action I’d been making predictions all
action I’d been making predictions all these years but somehow it was always in
these years but somehow it was always in
these years but somehow it was always in the future it wasn’t supposed to happen
the future it wasn’t supposed to happen
the future it wasn’t supposed to happen yet and when I finally had to experience
yet and when I finally had to experience
yet and when I finally had to experience it it shifted me right from my head and
it it shifted me right from my head and
it it shifted me right from my head and became personal and it’s true
became personal and it’s true
became personal and it’s true he’s depressing and I became quite a
he’s depressing and I became quite a
he’s depressing and I became quite a solution I wasn’t sure that I really
solution I wasn’t sure that I really
solution I wasn’t sure that I really wanted to carry on this work in what
wanted to carry on this work in what
wanted to carry on this work in what role could I play it wasn’t my fault
role could I play it wasn’t my fault
role could I play it wasn’t my fault anyway I just let somebody else deal
anyway I just let somebody else deal
anyway I just let somebody else deal with the problem I wanted to get on with
with the problem I wanted to get on with
with the problem I wanted to get on with my own life and luckily I was in a
my own life and luckily I was in a
my own life and luckily I was in a position where I could really change
position where I could really change
position where I could really change some things so I quit my job sucked up
some things so I quit my job sucked up
some things so I quit my job sucked up my life closed my computer and all the
my life closed my computer and all the
my life closed my computer and all the numbers and I went to the Himalayas and
numbers and I went to the Himalayas and
numbers and I went to the Himalayas and there I walked and I talked to farmers
there I walked and I talked to farmers
there I walked and I talked to farmers and to nomads and spent time in nature
and to nomads and spent time in nature
and to nomads and spent time in nature reconnecting there I found a system that
reconnecting there I found a system that
reconnecting there I found a system that was really being quite heavily impacted
was really being quite heavily impacted
was really being quite heavily impacted by climate change melting glaciers and
by climate change melting glaciers and
by climate change melting glaciers and extreme weather events and people who
extreme weather events and people who
extreme weather events and people who were just getting on with dealing with
were just getting on with dealing with
were just getting on with dealing with the problem and I found when I rested
the problem and I found when I rested
the problem and I found when I rested and reconnected that in fact the place
and reconnected that in fact the place
and reconnected that in fact the place that I was feeling distressed about the
that I was feeling distressed about the
that I was feeling distressed about the bramble kay extinction was the same
bramble kay extinction was the same
bramble kay extinction was the same place that gave me passion for the work
place that gave me passion for the work
place that gave me passion for the work and when I brought the two together that
and when I brought the two together that
and when I brought the two together that was the place of empowerment when I
was the place of empowerment when I
was the place of empowerment when I reconnected with nature and with my
reconnected with nature and with my
reconnected with nature and with my community then I could find my role I
community then I could find my role I
community then I could find my role I could also recognize the role that
could also recognize the role that
could also recognize the role that others were playing and deeply
others were playing and deeply
others were playing and deeply appreciate that so now what do we do
appreciate that so now what do we do
appreciate that so now what do we do about climate change how do we take that
about climate change how do we take that
about climate change how do we take that energy and move forward well first of
energy and move forward well first of
energy and move forward well first of all we need to stop making the problem
all we need to stop making the problem
all we need to stop making the problem worse luckily when we team up with
worse luckily when we team up with
worse luckily when we team up with nature we have fantastic allies oceans
nature we have fantastic allies oceans
nature we have fantastic allies oceans and forests already take up more than
and forests already take up more than
and forests already take up more than half of the carbon dioxide that we meet
half of the carbon dioxide that we meet
half of the carbon dioxide that we meet every year
every year
every year on top of that people have been making
on top of that people have been making
on top of that people have been making fantastic strides and reducing use of
fantastic strides and reducing use of
fantastic strides and reducing use of fossil fuels also switching to
fossil fuels also switching to
fossil fuels also switching to renewables and fantastic technologies
renewables and fantastic technologies
renewables and fantastic technologies and people are taking them up I’ve been
and people are taking them up I’ve been
and people are taking them up I’ve been deeply impressed with the kind of
deeply impressed with the kind of
deeply impressed with the kind of innovation and original thinking that’s
innovation and original thinking that’s
innovation and original thinking that’s happening around reducing the carbon
happening around reducing the carbon
happening around reducing the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas problem but
dioxide and greenhouse gas problem but
dioxide and greenhouse gas problem but of course we also need to adapt to the
of course we also need to adapt to the
of course we also need to adapt to the changes that we are locked into again
changes that we are locked into again
changes that we are locked into again nature really helps us out here
nature really helps us out here
nature really helps us out here mangroves and coral reefs help to buffer
mangroves and coral reefs help to buffer
mangroves and coral reefs help to buffer us against storm surges sea level rise
us against storm surges sea level rise
us against storm surges sea level rise our forests and our wetlands are sponges
our forests and our wetlands are sponges
our forests and our wetlands are sponges for water and of course many people are
for water and of course many people are
for water and of course many people are also helping to plan better
also helping to plan better
also helping to plan better infrastructure roads and and cities also
infrastructure roads and and cities also
infrastructure roads and and cities also farmers choosing better crops and in our
farmers choosing better crops and in our
farmers choosing better crops and in our drought here in Cape Town I think we’ve
drought here in Cape Town I think we’ve
drought here in Cape Town I think we’ve seen were the most fantastic examples of
seen were the most fantastic examples of
seen were the most fantastic examples of how people can really shift behavior and
how people can really shift behavior and
how people can really shift behavior and adapt I think it’s very important to to
adapt I think it’s very important to to
adapt I think it’s very important to to remember these guys these species that
remember these guys these species that
remember these guys these species that have been our war early warning against
have been our war early warning against
have been our war early warning against climate change they’re also really
climate change they’re also really
climate change they’re also really important in helping us to understand
important in helping us to understand
important in helping us to understand the mechanisms of impact some of them
the mechanisms of impact some of them
the mechanisms of impact some of them really unusual and unexpected have you
really unusual and unexpected have you
really unusual and unexpected have you yourself considered your own
yourself considered your own
yourself considered your own vulnerability to climate change that of
vulnerability to climate change that of
vulnerability to climate change that of your family and your community they also
your family and your community they also
your family and your community they also remind us how important it is to look
remind us how important it is to look
remind us how important it is to look after nature to help nature these
after nature to help nature these
after nature to help nature these species to adapt to climate change
species to adapt to climate change
species to adapt to climate change protecting our wild space and species
protecting our wild space and species
protecting our wild space and species and try to minimize the other stresses
and try to minimize the other stresses
and try to minimize the other stresses and threats that they deal with we’ve
and threats that they deal with we’ve
and threats that they deal with we’ve come a long way but we have a long way
come a long way but we have a long way
come a long way but we have a long way to go and many more people to bring on
to go and many more people to bring on
to go and many more people to bring on board however it’s been done before here
board however it’s been done before here
board however it’s been done before here we sit not far from Robben Island where
we sit not far from Robben Island where
we sit not far from Robben Island where this man took part in such a great
this man took part in such a great
this man took part in such a great challenge a great change in the past of
challenge a great change in the past of
challenge a great change in the past of course he didn’t do it alone and it took
course he didn’t do it alone and it took
course he didn’t do it alone and it took a long time 40 years great million
a long time 40 years great million
a long time 40 years great million million people at least who contributed
million people at least who contributed
million people at least who contributed in different ways gave their time gave
in different ways gave their time gave
in different ways gave their time gave their lives sometimes just gave a few
their lives sometimes just gave a few
their lives sometimes just gave a few pennies I bet when he sat in his cell
pennies I bet when he sat in his cell
pennies I bet when he sat in his cell there all of those years that he could
there all of those years that he could
there all of those years that he could not know whether the effects of his life
not know whether the effects of his life
not know whether the effects of his life work were going to be futile or have an
work were going to be futile or have an
work were going to be futile or have an effect at all but he continued with his
effect at all but he continued with his
effect at all but he continued with his personal journey and it was only in the
personal journey and it was only in the
personal journey and it was only in the big picture in the long term that his
big picture in the long term that his
big picture in the long term that his role became apparent so now it’s our
role became apparent so now it’s our
role became apparent so now it’s our turn this is our greatest time of change
turn this is our greatest time of change
turn this is our greatest time of change and our challenge this is a truly global
and our challenge this is a truly global
and our challenge this is a truly global one and we stand here at a pivotal time
but what each of us needs to do is just
but what each of us needs to do is just to take a step wherever you are take
to take a step wherever you are take
to take a step wherever you are take that step you might be an oil baron or
that step you might be an oil baron or
that step you might be an oil baron or you might already be an activist you
you might already be an activist you
you might already be an activist you might be a professional person parents a
might be a professional person parents a
might be a professional person parents a teacher a student all of these are
teacher a student all of these are
teacher a student all of these are fantastic places to start what you do is
fantastic places to start what you do is
fantastic places to start what you do is important it contributes to a much
important it contributes to a much
important it contributes to a much bigger home you don’t have to be perfect
bigger home you don’t have to be perfect
bigger home you don’t have to be perfect you don’t have to do everything just
you don’t have to do everything just
you don’t have to do everything just take that step and remember that you are
take that step and remember that you are
take that step and remember that you are part of one of the most spectacular
part of one of the most spectacular
part of one of the most spectacular human nature teams that exists so if you
human nature teams that exists so if you
human nature teams that exists so if you ever tired disillusioned or distressed
ever tired disillusioned or distressed
ever tired disillusioned or distressed go into nature go into nature go and sit
go into nature go into nature go and sit
go into nature go into nature go and sit beside the ocean get into the ocean go
beside the ocean get into the ocean go
beside the ocean get into the ocean go climb up a mountain go sit under a tree
climb up a mountain go sit under a tree
climb up a mountain go sit under a tree or even just put on a nature documentary
or even just put on a nature documentary
or even just put on a nature documentary go and reconnect and feel your team
go and reconnect and feel your team
go and reconnect and feel your team cheering you on thank you
cheering you on thank you
cheering you on thank you [Applause]
”
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