World's largest study on changes to Earth's ecosystems released on May 19

"Future generations at risk if current patterns of biodiversity loss continue," report on ecosystem warns

Montreal, May 18, 2005: The world's largest study concerning changes to Earth's ecosystems and their impact on human well-being is being released at McGill University on May 19 as part of the International Day for Biological Diversity. The report and its findings will be examined by decision makers and scientists during a conference entitled, "Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World."

Conducted by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (www.maweb.org) in cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the new study is called, "Ecosystems and Human Well-being: The Biodiversity Synthesis." The report is the result of five years of collaboration between a whopping 1360 natural and social scientists from around the world. The report warns that harm to our ecosystems over the last 50 years has put the well-being of future generations at risk if current patterns of biodiversity loss continue.

Conference headliners will include Thomas Mulcair, Quebec environment minister, Jacques Hurtubise, vice-principal (research) at McGill University, Walter Reid, secretariat of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Anantha Duraiappah, co-chair Biodiversity Synthesis, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Hamdallah Zedan, executive secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity. Alan DeSousa, Montreal city councillor responsible for the environment, will also give a talk on sustainable development in the City.

Where: McGill Faculty Club, 3450 McTavish St., Montreal.
When: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, 19 May 2005.

Media wishing to attend the conference should contact David Ainsworth, event liaison, at 514-287-7025 or david.ainsworth@biodiv.org. Source: Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, associate director, Communications and Public Affairs, McGill University, 514-398-6752 or sylvain-jacques.desjardins@mcgill.ca.

"Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World" has been organized by the McGill Office of the Vice-Principal (Research), the Faculties of Arts, Science, Engineering, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the McGill School for the Environment, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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