Species Extinction and Biodiversity

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The human contribution to climate change is one of the major themes at this week's meeting of world leaders at the United Nations. People are also accelerating the extinction of other species. The World Conservation Union's 'Red List' reports that 25 to 30% of mammals and amphibians are endangered along with 70% of plants—all because of human activities. Why should we care? What's the economic value of biodiversity? What does it have to do with our own species' survival?

Credits

Guests:

  • Jean Christophe Vie - Deputy Coordinator for the Species Program at the World Conservation Union
  • Peter Kareiva - Lead scientist with the Nature Conservancy
  • Jerry Taylor - Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute
  • Paul Ferraro - Professor of Environmental Economics at Georgia State University

Host:

Warren Olney