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ACADEMY TAKES FRESH APPROACH TO POPULATION–ENVIRONMENT DEBATE
19 May 2004

The Australian Academy of Science's 2004 Fenner Conference on the Environment will be held on 24-25 May at The Shine Dome in Canberra.

Understanding the Population–Environment Debate: Bridging Disciplinary Divides will take a fresh and long overdue 'whole-of-knowledge' approach to this important issue.

The conference will explore the reasons for the boundaries that seemingly exist between the various disciplines, such as:

• Why do most demographers not consider environmental carrying capacity?
• Why do many economists assume an open system where all problems can be solved via markets?
• Why do many ecologists ignore human needs and the role of economic development?
• Why are most sociologists not interested in the environmental and biophysical underpinnings of human societies?

The impressive cast of speakers includes:

• Professor Julie Thompson Klein – interdisciplinarity expert from the USA
• Dr Paul Monk – Co-Director of Austhink, argument mapping specialist
• Professor Bob Wasson and Dr Barney Foran – environment systems experts
• Professor Glen Withers – well regarded commentator on economic policy
• Professor Ian Lowe – highly awarded science and sustainability promoter
• Professor Tony McMichael – internationally recognised epidemiologist
• Professor Graeme Hugo – international migration expert
• Pollsters – Mr Lynton Crosby and Mr Bruce Hawker.

A specialist media panel session, chaired by George Megalogenis of The Australian, with Ms Laura Tingle (Financial Review), Mr Paul Kelly (The Australian) and Mr Peter Garrett (Australian Conservation Foundation) as panellists, will examine the influence of the media on the debate.

The Australian National University and the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, are platinum sponsors of the event.

Media are invited to attend the Fenner Conference at The Shine Dome, Gordon Street, Canberra, on 24-25 May. The full program is available on the Academy's website at www.science.org.au/events/fenner.