Conservation planning within emerging global climate and economic realities

Abstract

Although the reality and impending consequences of global warming have penetrated to greater depths of societies' conscience, trajectories of CO2 levels continue to climb above expert predictions. The World's demand for hydro-carbons continues unabated and the recent economic down-turn has temporarily, at least, shifted political priorities away from the climate change agenda. These new global climate and economic realities will clearly define the goal posts through which conservation biology must kick the biodiversity ball to be successful. The next 10 years will be crucial and the field of Conservation Biology must have answers to the following key questions: How can conservation biology better incorporate new climatic and economic realities into conservation planning? What scientific advice should conservation biologists give to governments that need to develop policy to conserve biodiversity under changing climate and economics?