Climate Change and Extinction

National parks were established in order that nature might be preserved. Now they are under threat from climate change.

by Dr Richard Leakey FRS

Over one hundred years ago the first national parks were established in order that nature might be preserved for the enjoyment and benefit of the current and future generations. Today countless protected areas' for biodiversity are maintained at huge public and private expense. The question we must consider is whether our protection' strategies actually protect when the real threats are related to the current climate change.

Mounting evidence suggests that the parks are in fact very vulnerable and mass extinctions may be the consequence.

Richard Leakey, a Kenyan, has had several careers that engaged him in palaeontology, anthropology, museum administration, conservation, politics and government administration. He has published a number of scientific and popular books as well as presenting television documentaries. He currently serves as Chairman for Transparency International Kenya, Chairman of WildlifeDirect and he holds a position of Professor of Anthropology at Stony Brook University in the USA. Dr. Leakey is also working to develop a major new initiative to extend research into the origins of our species through the international Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya.

Dr. Leakey was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2007 an he holds a number of honorary degrees and awards that recognize his contributions, including the honorary Doctor of Science from Wageningen University.

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