Professor Tim Flannery says human beings may be the brain of the planet, but they must cooperate with all forms of life in the ecosystem if nature is to thrive.
The 2007 Australian of the Year delivered a passionate speech to open the 2013 International BiodiverCities Conference at Joondalup Resort – one of many regional and international environmental experts to address biodiversity conservation in a changing climate.
The conference was hosted by the City of Joondalup in partnership with the ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and attracted attendees from across Australia and overseas.
Professor Flannery, who made it clear during his speech he had a zero tolerance policy to the extinction of any species, joined fellow keynote speakers Andre Malder and Dr Michael Dunlop on stage for a question and answer session.
Overseas speakers and delegates came from countries including Taiwan, India, Sweden, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia and New Zealand, with a host of interstate and local speakers also addressing the Conference.
Topics discussed included Using Biodiversity to Build a Climate Smart City and Redesigning our Cities as Ecosystem Service Centres in a Challenging Climate.
Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said each of the keynote speakers delivered first class presentations.
“Professor Flannery’s engaging and relevant speech was the perfect start to the Conference and each of the speakers thereafter provided thought provoking and informative presentations that reinforced the need for local action when it comes to biodiversity conservation.”
Delegates were taken on a guided night stalk tour and bushtucker tour of Neil Hawkins Park and visited diversity-rich locations throughout the City including the Hepburn Heights Conservation Area.
“Our stunning natural bushland left a lasting impression on our guests, particularly those from overseas,” Councillor Pickard said.
“We truly are blessed to call this beautiful part of the world home and it is little wonder Joondalup is recognised internationally for its livability because of these outstanding natural assets on our doorsteps.
“Hosting such a successful international conference demonstrates Joondalup’s commitment to environmental management and symbolises the City’s growing reputation as a global leader in local government.”
