Breakout

Title: Population and Biodiversity

Organizer: Stacie Murphy, Policy Associate, Population Connection

Additional Discussants:
Jason Bremner, Program Director - Population, Health and Environment Program, Population Reference Bureau
Judy Oglethorpe, Managing Director - People and Conservation Program, World Wildlife Fund
Janet Edmonds, Director - Population and Environment Program, Conservation International

Session Goals:
Examine the impact of rapid population growth on biodiversity due to habitat loss, changed land-use patterns, increased pollution, and other environmental impacts.  Explore methods of mitigation, including promotion of sustainable practices and slowing population growth by providing access to education and voluntary family planning services.

Summary:
Rapid growth and spread of human population have a devastating impact on biodiversity around the globe.  The proposed breakout session (or symposium) would examine some of the many ways in which humans impact the environment to the detriment of other species.  Topics for discussion might include (but are not limited to): direct loss of habitat as a result of clearing land for farming or other development; habitat degradation due to pollution by human waste products, chemical overuse, and large-scale livestock operations; the impact of human disease on vulnerable animal populations at the “human-wildlife interface”; and the global challenge of climate change and its contribution to habitat destruction.