Conference: Insect extinction and biodiversity: Why protecting the very small should be one of our biggest priorities!

The Mouvement Ecologique cordially invites you to a conference with Prof Dr Axel Hochkirch on the current topic.

When: Wednesday, April 17th 2024 at 20:00

Where: Hotel Parc Belle-Vue – 5, av. Marie-Thérèse – Luxembourg

Speaker:

Prof Dr Axel Hochkirch was in charge of the study. He is curator of the “Ecology” department of the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History and Professor of Biodiversity and Nature Conservation at the University of Trier. His research specialises in conservation biology. He has authored numerous international publications, particularly on the protection of insects. His greatest interest has been in grasshoppers since his youth – an expertise that Axel Hochkirch also represents as chairman of international nature conservation organisations such as the IUCN SSC (Species Survival Commission) “Grasshopper Specialist Group” or as president of the “Orthopterists’ Society”.

In 2020, research findings from the World Biodiversity Council caused a stir: according to the scientists, over one million species worldwide are threatened with extinction. A dramatic situation that – it was hoped – would prompt a rapid response. The report by the World Biodiversity Council, which was compiled by several hundred scientists, was widely publicised in the press around the world. In 2020, the Mouvement Ecologique had the great opportunity to have Prof Dr Josef Settele, who had worked on the World Biodiversity Council report, present the results in Luxembourg.

Now, a few years later, it is clear that the situation is actually even more alarming. A recent study, which presents new research data on insects, assumes that as many as 2 million species worldwide are threatened with extinction. Dr Axel Hochkirch, who coordinated the current study, has agreed to present these latest research findings to us. He also led the work in his capacity as curator of the National Museum of Natural History in Luxembourg.

Take the opportunity to gain an insight into the following questions, among others, from this recognised insect researcher:

– What explains these alarming figures on dramatic species extinction?
– How does the rapid loss of species manifest itself? Which animal and plant species are mainly affected, and are there geographical differences?
– What consequences do the extinction of species have for us humans? Could the extinction of insects, for example, lead to a global disaster?
– And where do we need to intervene worldwide and especially in Luxembourg so that we don’t see off the branch we are sitting on? What concrete action needs to be taken now?

The leading author of the study will address these and other questions in the course of his presentation and point out courses of action: What can politicians and citizens do to turn the tide?

Thank you for registering at meco@oeko.lu, this will make it easier for us to organise.

You can find the invitation as a PDF in the downloads.

26.03.2024