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BIODIVERSITY – THAT’S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely [email protected] Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely [email protected] Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

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Page 1: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

BIODIVERSITY –

THAT’S WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT

By

Jeffrey A. McNeely

[email protected]

Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Page 2: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Human infrastructure

Page 3: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Nature’s infrastructure

Page 4: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Advances in Chemistry characterized the 19th Century

(1870)

Page 5: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Fritz Haber (1868-1934)

Carl Bosch (1874-1940)

Page 6: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Nitrogen fertilizers helped fuel

the green revolution

Page 7: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

The 20th Century was

driven by physics

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Page 8: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Physics gave us

power…

Page 9: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

…and mobility

Page 10: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

…and provided the means to globalize communication and information

Page 11: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

20th century advances in technology based largely on physics, chemistry, and fossil fuels led to a quadrupling of the human population and a 16-fold increase in consumption.

I consume,

therefore

I am

Page 12: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010
Page 13: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

What are the ecological implications of 9 billion people?

30-40% more food required30-40% more food required

1 billion ha of natural habitat 1 billion ha of natural habitat converted to agricultureconverted to agriculture

2-3 times more nitrogen and 2-3 times more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requiredphosphorus fertilizer required

Twice as much water requiredTwice as much water required

3 times more pesticide use3 times more pesticide use

Page 14: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

We need a new approach.

Can this be the Biological Century?

Can we use the metaphors and approaches of biology, and its cornucopia of technology, to help drive the principal social, ethical, and economic issues of the coming century? Can biology be an answer to the challenge of sustainability?

Page 15: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Advances in physics and chemistry have made the Biological Century possible

DNA

Ant holding a microchipScanning electron microscope

Page 16: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

2010Many genomes

mapped;

Genetic modification widespread;

Synthetic biology being developed.

Page 17: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

DNA is information that we are only just beginning to understand

Page 18: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

New forms of energy: Biomass

Page 19: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Can we find a way to use chlorophyll directly to convert solar energy to chemical energy?

Page 20: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010
Page 21: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Morphotex fabric Teijin Corp.

Morpho rhetenor butterfly

Page 22: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Technocentrism:Valuescentered on technology

Ecocentrism:Values centered on Nature

Biomimicry could provide a bridge between the two philosophies, since it involves creating technology that values nature.

Page 23: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

Wild relatives of domestic animals are valuable genetic resources. Many survive only in protected areas.

Page 24: BIODIVERSITY – THATS WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT By Jeffrey A. McNeely jam@iucn.org Presented to BioVisionAlexandria 2010

The Biological Century offers a new methaphor for action, based on four principles:

Conservation of biodiversity is an expression of human culture, and essential to sustainability.

Biodiversity needs active management if it is to provide us with the goods and services we desire.

Biodiversity management needs to include some areas where natural ecosystems are enabled to continue their evolution as a reservoir of creativity.

New technologies based on biodiversity may be the best answer to sustainability in a time of growing demand.