Is there hope for conservation? | James Borrell | TEDxQMUL

Summary

This speech focuses on optimism in the face of environmental challenges. It begins with the iconic Earthrise photograph, highlighting humanity's place in the universe and the pressing issue of biodiversity loss. The speaker shares personal stories from Madagascar, where small efforts in reforestation had a significant impact, and recounts various species' recovery from the brink of extinction. The central message is that great things start small, and everyone can contribute to conservation, regardless of background. The speaker concludes with a call to action, emphasizing the responsibility and potential of the current generation to make a difference.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Earthrise photograph taken in 1968 by astronaut William Anders is one of the most important environmental photos, giving humanity a new perspective on its place in the universe.
• 🐟 Since the photo was taken, more than half of the world's wildlife has been lost, 90% of large fish have disappeared, and many species are critically endangered or extinct.
• 👨‍🚀 The speaker once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, believing that humanity could accomplish anything, but found conservation on Earth to be an even bigger challenge.
• 🌳 The speaker shared a personal story of reforestation in Madagascar, where a small team planted 464 trees, which eventually led to the planting of over a million trees by local communities.
• 🦎 Conservation success stories exist, such as the recovery of species like the Mauritius Kestrel, the Española giant tortoise, and the California condor, which have all been brought back from the brink of extinction.
• 🦏 The Southern White Rhino, once thought extinct, now has a population of over 21,000 thanks to conservation efforts.
• 🐞 The rediscovery of the Lord Howe Island stick insect, thought to be extinct for 80 years, highlights that even the rarest species can be saved with dedicated efforts.
• 👩‍🏫 Everyone can contribute to conservation, regardless of profession. Lawyers, teachers, scientists, and business people all have valuable roles to play in saving ecosystems and wildlife.
• 🛶 The speaker shares a story of Antonio, a former poacher who became a conservationist, showing that with the right opportunities, even those once harming the environment can become powerful allies in its protection.
• 😊 The speaker is optimistic about the future of conservation, believing that the current generation has the power and responsibility to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems before it's too late.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Earthrise photograph mentioned at the beginning of the script?

The Earthrise photograph, taken by astronaut William Anders in 1968, is considered one of the most important environmental images because it symbolizes Earth's place in the universe and provides perspective on the fragility of the planet. It reminds us of the need to protect our ecosystems.

How does the speaker relate biodiversity loss to Earth's development over time?

The speaker notes that as humanity has developed, industrialized, and expanded in population, biodiversity has drastically decreased. He views our current point in time as characterized by significant biodiversity loss, which could lead to a range of environmental problems if not addressed.

Why does the speaker remain optimistic about the future of conservation?

The speaker is optimistic because for the first time in history, every individual has the potential to influence conservation efforts. He believes that in this generation, biodiversity loss can be slowed, stopped, and eventually reversed.

What conservation project does the speaker discuss from Madagascar, and why is it significant?

The speaker discusses a tree-planting project in Madagascar aimed at reforestation. While their team only planted 464 trees, their presence helped raise awareness among local communities, eventually leading to the planting of over a million trees. This illustrates that small beginnings can lead to significant impacts.

What conservation success stories does the speaker mention, and what do they demonstrate?

The speaker highlights several success stories, such as the recovery of the Mauritius kestrel, Española giant tortoise, black-footed ferret, Chatham Islands black robin, and the southern white rhino. These cases demonstrate that species can be brought back from the brink of extinction with dedicated conservation efforts.

Why is the Lord Howe Island stick insect an important conservation success story?

The Lord Howe Island stick insect, believed to be extinct for over 80 years, was rediscovered in 2001 on a remote volcanic island. Conservationists were able to breed thousands of them, proving that even the most endangered and unattractive species can be saved with determined efforts.

What does the speaker mean when he says, 'You don't have to be a conservationist to do conservation'?

The speaker emphasizes that individuals from all professions—whether lawyers, scientists, businesspeople, or teachers—can contribute to conservation. Everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment, even if they aren't directly involved in conservation work.

Who is Antonio, and why is his story important to the speaker's message?

Antonio was a former poacher in the Peruvian Amazon who switched to working with conservationists. His story illustrates that people who might initially seem to oppose conservation, such as poachers, can become valuable allies in protecting wildlife if given the opportunity to change.

What is the speaker's main argument regarding the current generation's role in conservation?

The speaker argues that the current generation has a unique opportunity and responsibility to slow, stop, and reverse biodiversity loss. He believes that this must happen in our lifetimes, as future generations may be too late to make a meaningful impact.

How does the speaker's closing remarks connect back to the Earthrise photograph?

The speaker ties the closing remarks back to Earthrise by emphasizing the photograph's role in providing perspective on humanity's responsibility for the planet. He asserts that we are in control of the direction we take, and we have the power to change the course of environmental degradation.