Today (September 27th 2022), I’m speaking at the United Nations Science Summit panel Knowing and Protecting Life on Earth Starts with Natural History and Science Innovation…
I don’t have time today to talk about the presentation itself (that will come later), but I make several points: on education and outreach, on accessibility of knowledge, on the importance of a historical approach to natural history, and on the universal appeal of amazing animals to all people of all backgrounds. I’m one of a team of people on this panel; the others are highly respected experts on biodiversity, conservation and nature writing: namely Dr Ursula Valdez (tropical avian ecologist and trans-cultural educator), Dr Tom Fleischner (author and director emeritus of The Natural History Institute), Dr Dita Cahyani (marine biodiversity scientist and innovator), and Dr Nalini Nadkarni (forest canopy pioneer and conservationist). The panel was arranged by Dr Seabird McKeon and Dr Michele Weber, and will be led and convened by Dr McKeon.
