Helping Humans and Wildlife Coexist in Madagascar: What are scientists, governments, NGOs and farmers supposed to do?
Mitchell Irwin (Department of Biology, McGill University)
Abstract
Humanity and wildlife are in conflict around the world, but this conflict is especially stark in tropical developing nations. These nations harbour most of the world's biodiversity, yet this biodiversity faces impending disaster in nations racing to catch up to world economic standards. Madagascar has a stable society and a growing, healthy economy, and is one of the most biodiverse nations on earth. Yet who speaks for the health of lemurs and other wildlife? Stakeholders at different levels (international, national, regional and local) enjoy different costs and suffer different benefits from either the conservation or conversion of natural habitats such as rainforest, but it is not always clear whose goals should take priority. Scientists can help us in concrete ways - by naming and cataloguing the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems, by understanding the ecological needs of endangered animals, and by understanding the specific forces causing extinction. Yet for the data generated by scientists to be useful, it must eventually form the basis for action by national and international governments and agencies - and the steps it takes to get there from here are not always clear. Should scientists be viewed as bringing the truth to the table, and thereby above normal debate, or just another lobby group competing with foresters, miners and economics for the ears of those in power? Biologists around the world are prepared to speak for imperiled wildlife, but when those goals conflict with human wellbeing, will wildlife be forgotten? What is more important, anyway, saving a species from extinction or a 1% increase in GDP?
Date: Monday, April 7, 2008
Time: 3:00 PM
Place: Concordia University, Loyola Campus, Science Pavilion (Building SP), 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, 3rd Floor
Room: SP 365.01
Contact: 514-848-2424 ext 2595
Note: There are regular shuttle buses traveling between Sir George Williams Campus (1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.) and Loyola Campus; see Shuttle bus schedule.
Science, Philosophy, and History and Philosophy of Science Links
