Untangling the knot of "Wilderness" conservation Post-2020

Conservation of Earth’s least industrially disturbed landscapes is one of the strategies to mitigate for climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation; with the Zero draft Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework specifically calling to retain existing wilderness.

Additionally, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to reduce inequality, while protecting the natural environment. However, conservation efforts still face challenges as industrial pressures continue to expand and intensify across the planet and meeting the needs of (currently) political minorities, like Indigenous Peoples, continue to fall short.

This PhD thesis investigates the utility of the construct of wilderness for achieving environmental conservation and social equity, challenging the way in which wilderness has traditionally been characterized and rendered fit-for-purpose. The ~25/30min presentation will be followed with Q/A and ample time for general discussion on this contentious and controversial topic.

Katharina-Victoria Perez-Hammerle is a University of Queensland PhD Candidate

YouTube video