Dr Ian Goldin, Director of the James Martin 21st Century School, will offer a brief introduction to the series.
Professor Yadvinder Malhi, Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests
Abstract: The early 21st century represents a time of crisis and opportunity for tropical forests. Pressures for accelerated deforestation are coupled with the threat of global atmospheric change. At the same time there is new recognition of the ecosystem services that tropical forests provide, their crucial role in functioning and biodiversity of the Earth system, and new mechanisms being developed to finance their protection and sustainable use. This talk will outline these threats and opportunities, highlight the key priorities for both science and policy, and describe the potential role of the Oxford Centre for Tropical Forests.