Tuesday 10 August 2010, Television Centre, London.
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations.
The disappearance and degradation of biodiversity is costing the global economy more than the banking crisis, according to a UN-backed analysis.
In Brazil, it means lost forests; in Indonesia, dead coral reefs; in the UK, declines in the number of birds and pollinating honeybees. As humanity expands and grows richer, the natural world suffers.
The biodiversity crisis has been obscured by concerns about climate change; but it could be even more significant.
Eight years ago, governments pledged to halt the decline by 2010 - but they have failed. Governments, businesses and economists are now calculating the financial costs of that failure - and debating where and when it is prudent to invest in nature.
This seminar will outline the staggering scale of biodiversity loss; how much it is costing society; and how it might be tackled. It will also discuss options for news coverage in the run up to the crucial UN biodiversity summit in October.
Guest speakers are:
Jonathan Baillie, Conservation Programmes Director, Zoological Society of London
Jon Williams, Partner, Sustainability and Climate Change, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Chair:
Richard Black, Environment Correspondent, BBC News
Biodiversity in Crisis
Tuesday 10 August
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Room 5
6th Floor Suite
TV Centre
The event is open to all BBC staff. If you would like to attend, please email cojoevents@bbc.co.uk
