Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves to give lecture on the decline of biodiversity

Paris, 29 October

• © UNESCO/Michel Ravassard
• L'astrophysicist Hubert Reeves

Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves will speak on 3 November at UNESCO Headquarters (Room II, 5-6.30 p.m.), in the framework of the UNESCO Future Lectures, on the topic: "The challenges of biodiversity - beyond the international year 2010".

A Canadian astrophysicist who is an Associate Professor in the Physics Department of the University of Montreal, a former adviser to NASA and a renowned author of scientific books for the general public, Mr Reeves will discuss how the current decline of biodiversity is threatening humanity.

In the last 50 years, human activities have caused faster and more widespread change to ecosystems than in any other period of history. This is manifested by a substantial and frequently irreversible loss of biological diversity. Already, 30% of mangroves have disappeared, 20% of coral reefs have been destroyed and 10 to 30% of mammal, bird and amphibian species are threatened with extinction, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), drawn up by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

This event is part of the celebration of the 2010 United Nations International Year of Biodiversity.

• Author(s):UNESCOPRESS
• Source:Media advisory No. 2009-61
• 29-10-2009