Biodiversity and triage: making tough conservation decisions

Mark Colyvan (University of Sydney)

We are in the midst of one of the largest mass extinction events in Earth's history. Many species have little chance of survival and for many others, their fate depends on conservation management strategies. Sadly, it is not possible to save all the threatened species. This has led some conservation biologists to argue for environmental triage. This is the prioritisation of conservation efforts according to expected outcomes.

In this Barry Taylor and David Lewis Philosophy Lecture, Professor Mark Colyvan will give a qualified defence of environmental triage, outlining its theoretical underpinnings, highlighting its limitations, and discussing ethical implications.