Conservation in a Crowded World ― Case Studies from the Asia-pacific

In an increasingly crowded world, reconciling environmental “conservation” with the “sustainable use” of natural resources is a great challenge. Nature conservation has traditionally focused on protecting iconic and important areas of biodiversity from human exploitation through the establishment of National Parks and World Heritage Areas. However, while this is essential, a narrow focus on protected area conservation risks overlooking local needs in areas where people and natural systems must coexist. Combining scholarly research with stories from real people in the field, this book addresses some key questions for the sustainable use of natural environments, including What should be conserved and who decides? Are tradeoffs between conservation and development necessary? and How are those those elusive “win-win” solutions unearthed?

John Merson is a former consultant to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation; the International Union for Conservation of Nature; and the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs. He is a former member of the Australian Indonesia Steering Committee on Science and Technology and of the Australia Korea Forum. For his journalistic work, he is the recipient of a United Nations Media Peace Prize. Rosie Cooney is a biodiversity policy and management specialist with 12 years of experience in policy research, analysis, and development, and the chair of the Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group. Paul Brown is a geologist, researcher, and teacher. He is a former foundational head of the University of New South Wales School of Humanities, and a former campaign manager for Greenpeace Australia. He coordinates international research programs on waterways and climate change in Australia and Southeast Asia.