EDS’s 2024 conference will dig deeply into the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, what is at stake for the nation, and where the solutions lie
We are living in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. Much of our flora and fauna is unique. Regular
environmental reporting shows that it is declining, and we now have 4000 or so species threated or at risk of extinction.
We are also living in the midst of a climate crisis. Until recently, climate change was seen as a future threat. But the proliferation of extreme weather events here and across the planet has changed that perception in an alarmingly short space of time. Climate change has arrived with a vengeance and is now part of our lives.
Addressing these twin crises is highly challenging for a small island state like Aotearoa New Zealand. Business as usual is no longer an option and we need to be creative about charting a way forward that enables both people and nature to thrive. We need to address both crises together.