The Future is Now: Biodiversity, Climate and Us
EDS 2024 Conference
We are living in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. Much of our flora and fauna is unique, having evolved on these islands over millennia. Regular environmental reporting shows that it is declining, and we now have 4000 or so species threated or at risk of extinction.
Political consensus on reform is absent. The new government is rolling back many of the existing protections for our natural world and that will likely make things worse. This mid-year environmental summit is a well-timed opportunity to critique the government’s approach as its reform agenda becomes clearer.
We are also living in the midst of a climate crisis. Until recently, climate change was seen as a future threat. But the proliferation of extreme weather events here and across the planet has changed that perception in an alarmingly short space of time. Climate change has arrived with a vengeance and is now part of our lives.
Addressing these twin crises is highly challenging for a small island state like Aotearoa New Zealand. Business as usual is no longer an option and we need to be creative about charting a way forward that enables both people and nature to thrive. We need to address both crises together, and persuade the government to avoid damaging approaches that could take us backwards.
The conference will build on te ao Māori perspectives and knowledge. It will profile international and national experts and politicians. We will hold a political forum and run informative and interactive workshops on emerging issues. We will pool our collective wisdom on the key challenges we face: climate, oceans, resource management, freshwater, conservation, energy and biodiversity.
EDS’s 2024 conference will dig deeply into the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, what is at stake for the nation, and where the solutions lie. This conference is not to be missed!
Monday 10 June: Pre-conference Workshop (half day)
Tuesday 11 June: Conference sessions & Conference Dinner
Wednesday 12 June: Conference sessions
