The extinction crisis
Friday, May 28, 2010 • 9:00am-3:30pm
Telluride Conference Center (AKA “High Camp” in the Mountain Village)
The Symposium is an all-day topical immersion that includes presentations, panel discussions and audience Q&A. Admission includes lunch from 12:30-1:30pm.
Scientists estimate that half of all existing species on the planet will be gone by the end of the twenty-first century. They say that we are currently living during what is called the Holocene Extinction, the sixth major extinction—but the first to be caused by humans.
Festival Director David Holbrooke says, “The statistics are staggering. We’re currently experiencing the worst spate of species die-off since the loss of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. It’s estimated that a species dies off every 20 minutes. Some scientists predict that between 30 and 50 percent of all species will be extinct by mid-century.”
This destruction of biodiversity is deeply alarming and considered by many scientists to be the paramount challenge facing the planet. E.O. Wilson has said that maintaining biodiversity—a word that did not exist twenty years ago—is the key to life continuing here. Quite honestly, we struggled with what to call this theme, a problem we did not have last year with Food. Many people are not clear about what “biodiversity” means, while “flora and fauna” seems a little soft. We’re concerned that “The Extinction Crisis” sounds too grim, but it is accurate because that is exactly what’s happening. That being said, however, there’s an enormous amount of exciting work being done to combat the crisis, much of which will be highlighted at Mountainfilm 2010.
Symposium Speakers
Although we are still waiting to confirm several symposium presenters, Festival Director Holbrooke says he is delighted with the depth of expertise he has already locked in. “We always try to find a wide range of speakers – leading authorities from diverse fields who complement one another and who connect well with our very engaged audiences. So far, this year’s line-up looks to fit that bill exactly.”
*All Films, Schedules, Events, and Presenter Participation are subject to change.
