Nature and climate security: Reframing conservation in a changing world

This panel will bring together activists, practitioners and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to explore the continued relevance of nature and conservation in addressing today’s interconnected climate and security challenges. 

At the heart of national security and prosperity is a thriving and secure ecosystem. The threat and disproportionate impacts of biodiversity loss, however, is not limited to national borders – research shows that between 1970-2020 wildlife populations have declined by 73% worldwide. In a highly connected world, growth and increasing demands, such as food production, results in increasingly scarce resources and over-exploitation, fuelling greater conflicts within and between countries, political instability, intensified natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and economic insecurity. There remains the question, however, whether environmental degradation is a driver of these threats or simply a multiplier of already existing risks. 

At the same time conservationists argue that catastrophising biodiversity loss threatens perceptions around the value of conservation. The Asia-Pacific region indeed has many such examples where species loss has been reverted. As we examine both perspectives and engage in a candid discussion on how to mitigate the challenges around climate change and nature loss, join us at the FCCT clubhouse to hear from:

‍Veerawit Tianchainan, executive director, Greenpeace Southeast Asia;

‍Pianporn (Pai) Deetes, executive director, Rivers and Rights;

‍Juliana Masseloux, programme coordinator, M&E specialist, Zoological Society of London – Thailand 

‍Paritta Wangkiat, editor-in-chief, Mekong Eye.

Panel discussion moderated by Matthew Perkins, economic affairs officer, Sustainable urban development section, Environment and development division, ESCAP, with opening remarks by Dr Matthew Phillips, First secretary, Mekong regional, British embassy Bangkok and research associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

‍The event will be open to all, with the panel discussion followed by a drinks reception. Register here.

Join online here.