[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
so when I was nine years old I had a
so when I was nine years old I had a $5.00 a week allowance and with that
$5.00 a week allowance and with that
$5.00 a week allowance and with that allowance I was able to buy this book
allowance I was able to buy this book
allowance I was able to buy this book it’s called wildlife alert I still have
it’s called wildlife alert I still have
it’s called wildlife alert I still have it it’s still on my shelf it’s still
it it’s still on my shelf it’s still
it it’s still on my shelf it’s still it’s still pretty amazing and in this
it’s still pretty amazing and in this
it’s still pretty amazing and in this book it talked to me
book it talked to me
book it talked to me about the species that were going
about the species that were going
about the species that were going extinct here in the United States as the
extinct here in the United States as the
extinct here in the United States as the black-footed ferret is the Florida key
black-footed ferret is the Florida key
black-footed ferret is the Florida key deer in the Florida panther it was this
deer in the Florida panther it was this
deer in the Florida panther it was this amazing bird this huge bird called the
amazing bird this huge bird called the
amazing bird this huge bird called the California condor which had gotten down
California condor which had gotten down
California condor which had gotten down to 27 individuals and it was about to go
to 27 individuals and it was about to go
to 27 individuals and it was about to go extinct and they were they actually
extinct and they were they actually
extinct and they were they actually pulled it out of the wild and that
pulled it out of the wild and that
pulled it out of the wild and that terrified me the thought that a single
terrified me the thought that a single
terrified me the thought that a single species our own could actually drive
species our own could actually drive
species our own could actually drive these species extinct so I decided that
these species extinct so I decided that
these species extinct so I decided that at that point when I was 9 to spend the
at that point when I was 9 to spend the
at that point when I was 9 to spend the rest of my life focused on extinction
rest of my life focused on extinction
rest of my life focused on extinction and actually started this company
and actually started this company
and actually started this company conservation sex labs whose mission is
conservation sex labs whose mission is
conservation sex labs whose mission is to end human induced extinction bit of a
to end human induced extinction bit of a
to end human induced extinction bit of a lofty goal but we thought we’d go after
lofty goal but we thought we’d go after
lofty goal but we thought we’d go after it
it
it so as an undergrad we have this
so as an undergrad we have this
so as an undergrad we have this incredible thing that’s here on the Duke
incredible thing that’s here on the Duke
incredible thing that’s here on the Duke campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the
campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the
campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the only kind of its own and and I was able
only kind of its own and and I was able
only kind of its own and and I was able to take a course that top to me about
to take a course that top to me about
to take a course that top to me about lemurs and then go to Madagascar with
lemurs and then go to Madagascar with
lemurs and then go to Madagascar with this professor who was here who
this professor who was here who
this professor who was here who literally that summer won the MacArthur
literally that summer won the MacArthur
literally that summer won the MacArthur Genius award for work on conservation
Genius award for work on conservation
Genius award for work on conservation ten years later I would come back to
ten years later I would come back to
ten years later I would come back to Madagascar to do my PhD which was to
Madagascar to do my PhD which was to
Madagascar to do my PhD which was to understand this fundamental behavior of
understand this fundamental behavior of
understand this fundamental behavior of extinction and particularly among 12
extinction and particularly among 12
extinction and particularly among 12 species of lemurs and one of the things
species of lemurs and one of the things
species of lemurs and one of the things you may not hear about lemurs is the
you may not hear about lemurs is the
you may not hear about lemurs is the boredom the boredom of after you’ve
boredom the boredom of after you’ve
boredom the boredom of after you’ve darted a lemur that’s high up in the
darted a lemur that’s high up in the
darted a lemur that’s high up in the trees and then waiting for three hours
trees and then waiting for three hours
trees and then waiting for three hours for it to fall asleep and fall into your
for it to fall asleep and fall into your
for it to fall asleep and fall into your net that’s what the picture is about but
net that’s what the picture is about but
net that’s what the picture is about but it’s also to recognize that there was an
it’s also to recognize that there was an
it’s also to recognize that there was an unbelievable amount of the plants and
unbelievable amount of the plants and
unbelievable amount of the plants and animals on Madagascar found nowhere else
animals on Madagascar found nowhere else
animals on Madagascar found nowhere else and we’re still discovering them in 2012
and we’re still discovering them in 2012
and we’re still discovering them in 2012 they announced the discovery of four new
they announced the discovery of four new
they announced the discovery of four new species of chameleons including this one
species of chameleons including this one
species of chameleons including this one which is the world’s smallest brookesia
which is the world’s smallest brookesia
which is the world’s smallest brookesia micro but even more important was the
micro but even more important was the
micro but even more important was the record
record
record that lemurs primates when I left
that lemurs primates when I left
that lemurs primates when I left Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45
Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45
Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45 known species of lemurs at that time and
known species of lemurs at that time and
known species of lemurs at that time and at present there’s a hundred and five
at present there’s a hundred and five
at present there’s a hundred and five lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled
lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled
lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled the amount of species that’s on that
the amount of species that’s on that
the amount of species that’s on that single island I got addicted I had
single island I got addicted I had
single island I got addicted I had worked with my professor setting up a
worked with my professor setting up a
worked with my professor setting up a national park in in Madagascar that I’d
national park in in Madagascar that I’d
national park in in Madagascar that I’d done my PhD on the outside of I got
done my PhD on the outside of I got
done my PhD on the outside of I got addicted to this process of setting up
addicted to this process of setting up
addicted to this process of setting up national parks I got a job with a
national parks I got a job with a
national parks I got a job with a Wildlife Conservation Society you guys
Wildlife Conservation Society you guys
Wildlife Conservation Society you guys know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set
know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set
know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set up the first National Park in
up the first National Park in
up the first National Park in Afghanistan and you might wonder what is
Afghanistan and you might wonder what is
Afghanistan and you might wonder what is actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan
actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan
actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan at least even up to 50 years ago had
at least even up to 50 years ago had
at least even up to 50 years ago had more cat species than all of Africa as
more cat species than all of Africa as
more cat species than all of Africa as much as it was a cultural Silk Road it
much as it was a cultural Silk Road it
much as it was a cultural Silk Road it was a biological Silk Road that United
was a biological Silk Road that United
was a biological Silk Road that United the floor and the fauna of Europe of
the floor and the fauna of Europe of
the floor and the fauna of Europe of Asia in Africa there were hyenas in
Asia in Africa there were hyenas in
Asia in Africa there were hyenas in Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US
Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US
Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US in that single country and it became
in that single country and it became
in that single country and it became this is a picture of a Persian leopard
this is a picture of a Persian leopard
this is a picture of a Persian leopard that we had on one of our camera traps
that we had on one of our camera traps
that we had on one of our camera traps it was clearly not very happy to have
it was clearly not very happy to have
it was clearly not very happy to have its picture taken the second National
its picture taken the second National
its picture taken the second National Park the team in Afghanistan set up was
Park the team in Afghanistan set up was
Park the team in Afghanistan set up was in 2012 and this was at the western end
in 2012 and this was at the western end
in 2012 and this was at the western end of the Himalayas this was a legendary
of the Himalayas this was a legendary
of the Himalayas this was a legendary area this place was so remote it was
area this place was so remote it was
area this place was so remote it was next to something called the Eurasian
next to something called the Eurasian
next to something called the Eurasian pole of inaccessibility and and and it
pole of inaccessibility and and and it
pole of inaccessibility and and and it exists you can look it up but what was
exists you can look it up but what was
exists you can look it up but what was it spectacular about this region was
it spectacular about this region was
it spectacular about this region was this was the pathway that Marco Polo
this was the pathway that Marco Polo
this was the pathway that Marco Polo took through Asia
took through Asia
took through Asia this was the pathway he actually
this was the pathway he actually
this was the pathway he actually described one of the sheep species in
described one of the sheep species in
described one of the sheep species in the area these amazing things called
the area these amazing things called
the area these amazing things called Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns
Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns
Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns that are six feet long if you follow the
that are six feet long if you follow the
that are six feet long if you follow the curve and in this area we also have snow
curve and in this area we also have snow
curve and in this area we also have snow leopards which we were able to get some
leopards which we were able to get some
leopards which we were able to get some of the first camera traps and verify
of the first camera traps and verify
of the first camera traps and verify that after three decades of war that
that after three decades of war that
that after three decades of war that they still persisted
a problem we have as conservationists
a problem we have as conservationists the mere creation of national parks of
the mere creation of national parks of
the mere creation of national parks of which we’ve been exponentially
which we’ve been exponentially
which we’ve been exponentially successful at doing it has been really
successful at doing it has been really
successful at doing it has been really insufficient to stop the current six
insufficient to stop the current six
insufficient to stop the current six mass extinction event that we’re in the
mass extinction event that we’re in the
mass extinction event that we’re in the middle of the rate of extinction at
middle of the rate of extinction at
middle of the rate of extinction at present is a thousand times that of
present is a thousand times that of
present is a thousand times that of background extinction rates the normal
background extinction rates the normal
background extinction rates the normal rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the
rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the
rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the geologic record and in fact we’ve
geologic record and in fact we’ve
geologic record and in fact we’ve probably over us underestimated it by a
probably over us underestimated it by a
probably over us underestimated it by a factor of ten because the very species
factor of ten because the very species
factor of ten because the very species that we like to study right which are
that we like to study right which are
that we like to study right which are commonly distributed distributed across
commonly distributed distributed across
commonly distributed distributed across a variety of habitats that are easily
a variety of habitats that are easily
a variety of habitats that are easily found that are not located in really
found that are not located in really
found that are not located in really tiny specialized habitats at night are
tiny specialized habitats at night are
tiny specialized habitats at night are those species that have the very
those species that have the very
those species that have the very characteristics of adaptability doubt
characteristics of adaptability doubt
characteristics of adaptability doubt would allow them to survive extinction
would allow them to survive extinction
would allow them to survive extinction ninety-five percent of the species we’ve
ninety-five percent of the species we’ve
ninety-five percent of the species we’ve never really assessed for their
never really assessed for their
never really assessed for their extinction rate and in my own beloved
extinction rate and in my own beloved
extinction rate and in my own beloved Madagascar 90% of the force has
Madagascar 90% of the force has
Madagascar 90% of the force has disappeared we’re losing species before
disappeared we’re losing species before
disappeared we’re losing species before we even know that they exist and this
we even know that they exist and this
we even know that they exist and this situation is probably going to get worse
situation is probably going to get worse
situation is probably going to get worse we have nine point six billion people on
we have nine point six billion people on
we have nine point six billion people on this planet expected by 2050 and that
this planet expected by 2050 and that
this planet expected by 2050 and that requires 70% more food
requires 70% more food
requires 70% more food not to mention doubling or tripling
not to mention doubling or tripling
not to mention doubling or tripling nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide
nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide
nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide use to grow that food and this is
use to grow that food and this is
use to grow that food and this is coupled with the fact that we’ve got
coupled with the fact that we’ve got
coupled with the fact that we’ve got billions of people are merging into
billions of people are merging into
billions of people are merging into middle class who want more meat and
middle class who want more meat and
middle class who want more meat and dairy so what does seventy percent more
dairy so what does seventy percent more
dairy so what does seventy percent more food look like well that it will take a
food look like well that it will take a
food look like well that it will take a billion hectares to grow that food that
billion hectares to grow that food that
billion hectares to grow that food that is an area of new land that is equal to
is an area of new land that is equal to
is an area of new land that is equal to United States and what that means is
United States and what that means is
United States and what that means is we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and
we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and
we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and the Amazon forests to be able to feed
the Amazon forests to be able to feed
the Amazon forests to be able to feed those people unless we come up with a
those people unless we come up with a
those people unless we come up with a better solution so if you can’t tell I
better solution so if you can’t tell I
better solution so if you can’t tell I am the absolute worst person to invite
am the absolute worst person to invite
am the absolute worst person to invite to dinner right I will just kill your
to dinner right I will just kill your
to dinner right I will just kill your dinner party like no one else can do
dinner party like no one else can do
dinner party like no one else can do with the myriad of facts right
with the myriad of facts right
with the myriad of facts right I am a conservation biologist which
I am a conservation biologist which
I am a conservation biologist which means my discipline exists to describe
means my discipline exists to describe
means my discipline exists to describe and mourn the passing of species right I
and mourn the passing of species right I
and mourn the passing of species right I am I’m part of a society of
am I’m part of a society of
am I’m part of a society of no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t
no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t
no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t have to be the case and it requires us
have to be the case and it requires us
have to be the case and it requires us to think about conservation in some
to think about conservation in some
to think about conservation in some different ways and one of the things one
different ways and one of the things one
different ways and one of the things one of the reasons we can be optimistic is
of the reasons we can be optimistic is
of the reasons we can be optimistic is what I call this democratization of
what I call this democratization of
what I call this democratization of Science and Technology we’re in a period
Science and Technology we’re in a period
Science and Technology we’re in a period of time and you saw girls engineering
of time and you saw girls engineering
of time and you saw girls engineering for change where we have access to
for change where we have access to
for change where we have access to technology the smartphone’s in our in
technology the smartphone’s in our in
technology the smartphone’s in our in our pockets which are amazing connected
our pockets which are amazing connected
our pockets which are amazing connected sensors and supercomputers and the
sensors and supercomputers and the
sensors and supercomputers and the ability to actually address these
ability to actually address these
ability to actually address these problems like never before advances in
problems like never before advances in
problems like never before advances in artificial intelligence and computer
artificial intelligence and computer
artificial intelligence and computer vision so your uber doesn’t have to have
vision so your uber doesn’t have to have
vision so your uber doesn’t have to have a driver coupled with the advances in in
a driver coupled with the advances in in
a driver coupled with the advances in in molecular sciences that’s allowing us to
molecular sciences that’s allowing us to
molecular sciences that’s allowing us to edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft
edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft
edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft Word document and these things in some
Word document and these things in some
Word document and these things in some ways are scary right we’ve seen what
ways are scary right we’ve seen what
ways are scary right we’ve seen what that that has done to our populace I
that that has done to our populace I
that that has done to our populace I think over the last few months but the
think over the last few months but the
think over the last few months but the fact is there are also tools and they’re
fact is there are also tools and they’re
fact is there are also tools and they’re tools that we have to consider for
tools that we have to consider for
tools that we have to consider for conservation and part of the issue of
conservation and part of the issue of
conservation and part of the issue of conservation is we’ve got to actually
conservation is we’ve got to actually
conservation is we’ve got to actually get away from linear solutions we’ve got
get away from linear solutions we’ve got
get away from linear solutions we’ve got to focus on the revolutionary rather
to focus on the revolutionary rather
to focus on the revolutionary rather than the evolutionary and in particular
than the evolutionary and in particular
than the evolutionary and in particular we got to stop addressing the symptoms
we got to stop addressing the symptoms
we got to stop addressing the symptoms of conservation national parks right
of conservation national parks right
of conservation national parks right which reflect deep a bulwark against
which reflect deep a bulwark against
which reflect deep a bulwark against deforestation deforestation is a symptom
deforestation deforestation is a symptom
deforestation deforestation is a symptom the reasons behind that deforestation
the reasons behind that deforestation
the reasons behind that deforestation are the causes and we got to spend more
are the causes and we got to spend more
are the causes and we got to spend more time actually thinking about what those
time actually thinking about what those
time actually thinking about what those causes are and how we address them and
causes are and how we address them and
causes are and how we address them and one example is replacement and I want to
one example is replacement and I want to
one example is replacement and I want to talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs
talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs
talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs not not not pure academics but
not not not pure academics but
not not not pure academics but entrepreneurs who are actually trying to
entrepreneurs who are actually trying to
entrepreneurs who are actually trying to take on this problem this is a company
take on this problem this is a company
take on this problem this is a company that actually is called pem bian it was
that actually is called pem bian it was
that actually is called pem bian it was founded by two founders one of which was
founded by two founders one of which was
founded by two founders one of which was Matthew Marcus who is a serial
Matthew Marcus who is a serial
Matthew Marcus who is a serial entrepreneur who said I want to do
entrepreneur who said I want to do
entrepreneur who said I want to do something about the poaching of rhinos
something about the poaching of rhinos
something about the poaching of rhinos we’re about to poach him off off
we’re about to poach him off off
we’re about to poach him off off existence on this planet and so he
existence on this planet and so he
existence on this planet and so he reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn
reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn
reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn which is essentially the same material
which is essentially the same material
which is essentially the same material that makes your hair and then sought to
that makes your hair and then sought to
that makes your hair and then sought to produce
produce
produce that rhino horn himself he actually did
that rhino horn himself he actually did
that rhino horn himself he actually did something else he did a market test to
something else he did a market test to
something else he did a market test to see if there would be demand for his
see if there would be demand for his
see if there would be demand for his product and in the process is doing that
product and in the process is doing that
product and in the process is doing that market test one of the things he learned
market test one of the things he learned
market test one of the things he learned was the fact that this myth of
was the fact that this myth of
was the fact that this myth of traditional medicine wasn’t the primary
traditional medicine wasn’t the primary
traditional medicine wasn’t the primary driver it was actually a carving market
driver it was actually a carving market
driver it was actually a carving market his model is if I sell rhino horn
his model is if I sell rhino horn
his model is if I sell rhino horn instead of sixty thousand dollars a
instead of sixty thousand dollars a
instead of sixty thousand dollars a kilogram which you understand if you’re
kilogram which you understand if you’re
kilogram which you understand if you’re impoverished why you would help poach a
impoverished why you would help poach a
impoverished why you would help poach a rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram
rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram
rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram or sixty dollars a kilogram I can
or sixty dollars a kilogram I can
or sixty dollars a kilogram I can collapse the market demand for getting
collapse the market demand for getting
collapse the market demand for getting wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may
wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may
wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may know that there’s a challenge with
know that there’s a challenge with
know that there’s a challenge with wild-caught shrimp which is called
wild-caught shrimp which is called
wild-caught shrimp which is called bycatch this is a picture my wife took
bycatch this is a picture my wife took
bycatch this is a picture my wife took in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a
in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a
in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a shrimp boat and and to the left of that
shrimp boat and and to the left of that
shrimp boat and and to the left of that barrier is the bycatch to the right what
barrier is the bycatch to the right what
barrier is the bycatch to the right what the arrow is pointing at is actually the
the arrow is pointing at is actually the
the arrow is pointing at is actually the shrimp that was caught the bycatch will
shrimp that was caught the bycatch will
shrimp that was caught the bycatch will be thrown away right that is the impact
be thrown away right that is the impact
be thrown away right that is the impact of shrimp so that’s why I love this
of shrimp so that’s why I love this
of shrimp so that’s why I love this company new wave foods which has used
company new wave foods which has used
company new wave foods which has used red algae to create shrimp that looks
red algae to create shrimp that looks
red algae to create shrimp that looks like tastes like cooks like shrimp but
like tastes like cooks like shrimp but
like tastes like cooks like shrimp but without the bycatch without the
without the bycatch without the
without the bycatch without the pollution of shrimp farming without the
pollution of shrimp farming without the
pollution of shrimp farming without the trafficking-in-persons that somewhat
trafficking-in-persons that somewhat
trafficking-in-persons that somewhat involved and it’s kosher right we now
involved and it’s kosher right we now
involved and it’s kosher right we now have kosher shrimp move free now called
have kosher shrimp move free now called
have kosher shrimp move free now called perfect day which is about 16 months
perfect day which is about 16 months
perfect day which is about 16 months from actually having a product on the
from actually having a product on the
from actually having a product on the market created a way to brew milk like
market created a way to brew milk like
market created a way to brew milk like you would brew beer and it is
you would brew beer and it is
you would brew beer and it is molecularly the exact same thing as milk
molecularly the exact same thing as milk
molecularly the exact same thing as milk except you no longer have animal cruelty
except you no longer have animal cruelty
except you no longer have animal cruelty you know Larry has forest clearance
you know Larry has forest clearance
you know Larry has forest clearance which is what you need for livestock you
which is what you need for livestock you
which is what you need for livestock you no longer have the environmental
no longer have the environmental
no longer have the environmental footprint of feeding that livestock you
footprint of feeding that livestock you
footprint of feeding that livestock you no longer have the methane production
no longer have the methane production
no longer have the methane production that comes out of cows which is a major
that comes out of cows which is a major
that comes out of cows which is a major greenhouse gas contributor and they took
greenhouse gas contributor and they took
greenhouse gas contributor and they took out the bad bacteria lactose and
out the bad bacteria lactose and
out the bad bacteria lactose and cholesterol
cholesterol
cholesterol these are incredible things they are not
these are incredible things they are not
these are incredible things they are not frankenfoods there are actually
frankenfoods there are actually
frankenfoods there are actually opportunities for us to address these
opportunities for us to address these
opportunities for us to address these challenges that we have before us we can
challenges that we have before us we can
challenges that we have before us we can address rates of change in new ways and
address rates of change in new ways and
address rates of change in new ways and my friends started this company called
my friends started this company called
my friends started this company called planet labs because they wanted to
planet labs because they wanted to
planet labs because they wanted to disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set
disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set
disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three
up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three
up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three guides and I’ll show you their picture
guides and I’ll show you their picture
guides and I’ll show you their picture in a second
in a second
in a second Landsat eight cost us 850 million
Landsat eight cost us 850 million
Landsat eight cost us 850 million dollars to put into space it took ten
dollars to put into space it took ten
dollars to put into space it took ten years to build it by the time you put
years to build it by the time you put
years to build it by the time you put technology into a satellite has to be
technology into a satellite has to be
technology into a satellite has to be space certified it’s already out of date
space certified it’s already out of date
space certified it’s already out of date and it gives you 30 meter resolution of
and it gives you 30 meter resolution of
and it gives you 30 meter resolution of the planet every two weeks these guys
the planet every two weeks these guys
the planet every two weeks these guys decided we’re gonna build nano
decided we’re gonna build nano
decided we’re gonna build nano satellites using the technology that is
satellites using the technology that is
satellites using the technology that is in your cell phone as opposed to
in your cell phone as opposed to
in your cell phone as opposed to inventing technology so we benefit from
inventing technology so we benefit from
inventing technology so we benefit from the cost advantages $40,000 a single
the cost advantages $40,000 a single
the cost advantages $40,000 a single nano satellite 17 K to put into space
nano satellite 17 K to put into space
nano satellite 17 K to put into space but what they would do is create a
but what they would do is create a
but what they would do is create a constellation of those satellites their
constellation of those satellites their
constellation of those satellites their hope was to ring the planet so you could
hope was to ring the planet so you could
hope was to ring the planet so you could actually get an image of the entire
actually get an image of the entire
actually get an image of the entire planet every day at 3 meters and if this
planet every day at 3 meters and if this
planet every day at 3 meters and if this sounds like science fiction well on
sounds like science fiction well on
sounds like science fiction well on Valentine’s Day about less than three
Valentine’s Day about less than three
Valentine’s Day about less than three weeks ago the the Indian government put
weeks ago the the Indian government put
weeks ago the the Indian government put 88 of their satellites into space the
88 of their satellites into space the
88 of their satellites into space the final set that’s required to actually
final set that’s required to actually
final set that’s required to actually achieve that so we now have the ability
achieve that so we now have the ability
achieve that so we now have the ability to actually understand rates of change
to actually understand rates of change
to actually understand rates of change Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart
Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart
Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart PIMs here in this campus who created
PIMs here in this campus who created
PIMs here in this campus who created something called AI naturalist that is
something called AI naturalist that is
something called AI naturalist that is allowed individual citizens to help
allowed individual citizens to help
allowed individual citizens to help participate in monitoring of our
participate in monitoring of our
participate in monitoring of our environment and if you think it’s just
environment and if you think it’s just
environment and if you think it’s just an app it was 2.7 observations 104
an app it was 2.7 observations 104
an app it was 2.7 observations 104 thousand species from 78,000 individuals
thousand species from 78,000 individuals
thousand species from 78,000 individuals who have participated in that I wish
who have participated in that I wish
who have participated in that I wish when I was in Madagascar I had that kind
when I was in Madagascar I had that kind
when I was in Madagascar I had that kind of scale in terms of what we’re doing
of scale in terms of what we’re doing
of scale in terms of what we’re doing and finally we can think about
and finally we can think about
and finally we can think about restoration and resilience of the
restoration and resilience of the
restoration and resilience of the environment and some things are pretty
environment and some things are pretty
environment and some things are pretty scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church
scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church
scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church has just announced actually within the
has just announced actually within the
has just announced actually within the last month that he believes his lab he’s
last month that he believes his lab he’s
last month that he believes his lab he’s at Harvard to is two years away from
at Harvard to is two years away from
at Harvard to is two years away from actually bringing back a mammoth right
actually bringing back a mammoth right
actually bringing back a mammoth right and that is because of a tool called
and that is because of a tool called
and that is because of a tool called CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an
CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an
CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an incredible precision ability to edit the
incredible precision ability to edit the
incredible precision ability to edit the genome and the genome is is one thing
genome and the genome is is one thing
genome and the genome is is one thing that has has has actually increased our
that has has has actually increased our
that has has has actually increased our ability to understand and edit the
ability to understand and edit the
ability to understand and edit the genome has increased faster in our
genome has increased faster in our
genome has increased faster in our technological prowess then-then-then
technological prowess then-then-then
technological prowess then-then-then Moore’s Law well we may not want to
Moore’s Law well we may not want to
Moore’s Law well we may not want to bring back the mammoth to downtown
bring back the mammoth to downtown
bring back the mammoth to downtown Chicago could be could be a really bad
Chicago could be could be a really bad
Chicago could be could be a really bad idea but we do want to stop get rid and
idea but we do want to stop get rid and
idea but we do want to stop get rid and kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out
kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out
kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s
in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s
in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s so serious since the Smithsonian has
so serious since the Smithsonian has
so serious since the Smithsonian has taken this frog out of the wild because
taken this frog out of the wild because
taken this frog out of the wild because they’re losing species it is a fungus
they’re losing species it is a fungus
they’re losing species it is a fungus that that literally prevents respiration
that that literally prevents respiration
that that literally prevents respiration and the movement of necessary products
and the movement of necessary products
and the movement of necessary products across the skin barrier by thickening
across the skin barrier by thickening
across the skin barrier by thickening the skin barrier and we’re losing
the skin barrier and we’re losing
the skin barrier and we’re losing species so if we can actually use a gene
species so if we can actually use a gene
species so if we can actually use a gene drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also
drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also
drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also taking out trees in Hawaii that are
taking out trees in Hawaii that are
taking out trees in Hawaii that are endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of
endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of
endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of saving some of these species the power
saving some of these species the power
saving some of these species the power of the microbiome gives us the ability
of the microbiome gives us the ability
of the microbiome gives us the ability also to to combat novel diseases to
also to to combat novel diseases to
also to to combat novel diseases to think of a post-antibiotic world to
think of a post-antibiotic world to
think of a post-antibiotic world to restore 20% of the earth that’s
restore 20% of the earth that’s
restore 20% of the earth that’s currently degraded to reduce pesticides
currently degraded to reduce pesticides
currently degraded to reduce pesticides in agriculture the problem of
in agriculture the problem of
in agriculture the problem of conservation is conservationists we
conservation is conservationists we
conservation is conservationists we really are at a point where the
really are at a point where the
really are at a point where the conservationists can best define the
conservationists can best define the
conservationists can best define the problem but they no longer in charge of
problem but they no longer in charge of
problem but they no longer in charge of all the solutions and we gotta move
all the solutions and we gotta move
all the solutions and we gotta move beyond that and the same thing happened
beyond that and the same thing happened
beyond that and the same thing happened with global health and in global health
with global health and in global health
with global health and in global health we saw this where it used to be called
we saw this where it used to be called
we saw this where it used to be called tropical medicine and it was made up
tropical medicine and it was made up
tropical medicine and it was made up mainly of white men in white suits who
mainly of white men in white suits who
mainly of white men in white suits who knew what all the answers were and what
knew what all the answers were and what
knew what all the answers were and what all the solutions were but the fact is
all the solutions were but the fact is
all the solutions were but the fact is they didn’t and it required bringing in
they didn’t and it required bringing in
they didn’t and it required bringing in engineers an economist an anthropologist
engineers an economist an anthropologist
engineers an economist an anthropologist to be able to actually make the gains
to be able to actually make the gains
to be able to actually make the gains that global health has made today
conservation xlab’s we’re creating what
conservation xlab’s we’re creating what the world’s first digital makerspace a
the world’s first digital makerspace a
the world’s first digital makerspace a platform for mass collaboration to help
platform for mass collaboration to help
platform for mass collaboration to help invent new technologies to take on many
invent new technologies to take on many
invent new technologies to take on many of these problems but it’s not enough
of these problems but it’s not enough
of these problems but it’s not enough just to create a platform it is actually
just to create a platform it is actually
just to create a platform it is actually really important to build a tribe a
really important to build a tribe a
really important to build a tribe a tribe of conservationists of
tribe of conservationists of
tribe of conservationists of conservation engineers and conservation
conservation engineers and conservation
conservation engineers and conservation artists and conservation makers and
artists and conservation makers and
artists and conservation makers and conservation microbiome specialists and
conservation microbiome specialists and
conservation microbiome specialists and conservation anthropologists that were
conservation anthropologists that were
conservation anthropologists that were involved in working with us to help
involved in working with us to help
involved in working with us to help design these new technologies and
design these new technologies and
design these new technologies and outside after the after these talks
outside after the after these talks
outside after the after these talks you’ll actually meet one of the members
you’ll actually meet one of the members
you’ll actually meet one of the members of the Duke Technology Club on this
of the Duke Technology Club on this
of the Duke Technology Club on this campus which is a group of engineers who
campus which is a group of engineers who
campus which is a group of engineers who are starting to take these problems on
are starting to take these problems on
are starting to take these problems on for the first time among any university
for the first time among any university
for the first time among any university campus much as humans have created these
campus much as humans have created these
campus much as humans have created these problems we have the means to solve them
problems we have the means to solve them
problems we have the means to solve them and I’d leave you with this image if we
and I’d leave you with this image if we
and I’d leave you with this image if we can put this this Volkswagon size rover
can put this this Volkswagon size rover
can put this this Volkswagon size rover Curiosity which is still crawling around
Curiosity which is still crawling around
Curiosity which is still crawling around the surface of Mars using this crazy
the surface of Mars using this crazy
the surface of Mars using this crazy thing that was called the sky crane
thing that was called the sky crane
thing that was called the sky crane think of the engineering that went into
think of the engineering that went into
think of the engineering that went into that think of the ingenuity that went
that think of the ingenuity that went
that think of the ingenuity that went into that we’ve got the ability to
into that we’ve got the ability to
into that we’ve got the ability to harness all of these tools to harness
harness all of these tools to harness
harness all of these tools to harness all of us together to be able to address
all of us together to be able to address
all of us together to be able to address these conservation problems thank you
these conservation problems thank you
these conservation problems thank you [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
so when I was nine years old I had a
so when I was nine years old I had a $5.00 a week allowance and with that
$5.00 a week allowance and with that
$5.00 a week allowance and with that allowance I was able to buy this book
allowance I was able to buy this book
allowance I was able to buy this book it’s called wildlife alert I still have
it’s called wildlife alert I still have
it’s called wildlife alert I still have it it’s still on my shelf it’s still
it it’s still on my shelf it’s still
it it’s still on my shelf it’s still it’s still pretty amazing and in this
it’s still pretty amazing and in this
it’s still pretty amazing and in this book it talked to me
book it talked to me
book it talked to me about the species that were going
about the species that were going
about the species that were going extinct here in the United States as the
extinct here in the United States as the
extinct here in the United States as the black-footed ferret is the Florida key
black-footed ferret is the Florida key
black-footed ferret is the Florida key deer in the Florida panther it was this
deer in the Florida panther it was this
deer in the Florida panther it was this amazing bird this huge bird called the
amazing bird this huge bird called the
amazing bird this huge bird called the California condor which had gotten down
California condor which had gotten down
California condor which had gotten down to 27 individuals and it was about to go
to 27 individuals and it was about to go
to 27 individuals and it was about to go extinct and they were they actually
extinct and they were they actually
extinct and they were they actually pulled it out of the wild and that
pulled it out of the wild and that
pulled it out of the wild and that terrified me the thought that a single
terrified me the thought that a single
terrified me the thought that a single species our own could actually drive
species our own could actually drive
species our own could actually drive these species extinct so I decided that
these species extinct so I decided that
these species extinct so I decided that at that point when I was 9 to spend the
at that point when I was 9 to spend the
at that point when I was 9 to spend the rest of my life focused on extinction
rest of my life focused on extinction
rest of my life focused on extinction and actually started this company
and actually started this company
and actually started this company conservation sex labs whose mission is
conservation sex labs whose mission is
conservation sex labs whose mission is to end human induced extinction bit of a
to end human induced extinction bit of a
to end human induced extinction bit of a lofty goal but we thought we’d go after
lofty goal but we thought we’d go after
lofty goal but we thought we’d go after it
it
it so as an undergrad we have this
so as an undergrad we have this
so as an undergrad we have this incredible thing that’s here on the Duke
incredible thing that’s here on the Duke
incredible thing that’s here on the Duke campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the
campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the
campus it’s a Duke lemur center it’s the only kind of its own and and I was able
only kind of its own and and I was able
only kind of its own and and I was able to take a course that top to me about
to take a course that top to me about
to take a course that top to me about lemurs and then go to Madagascar with
lemurs and then go to Madagascar with
lemurs and then go to Madagascar with this professor who was here who
this professor who was here who
this professor who was here who literally that summer won the MacArthur
literally that summer won the MacArthur
literally that summer won the MacArthur Genius award for work on conservation
Genius award for work on conservation
Genius award for work on conservation ten years later I would come back to
ten years later I would come back to
ten years later I would come back to Madagascar to do my PhD which was to
Madagascar to do my PhD which was to
Madagascar to do my PhD which was to understand this fundamental behavior of
understand this fundamental behavior of
understand this fundamental behavior of extinction and particularly among 12
extinction and particularly among 12
extinction and particularly among 12 species of lemurs and one of the things
species of lemurs and one of the things
species of lemurs and one of the things you may not hear about lemurs is the
you may not hear about lemurs is the
you may not hear about lemurs is the boredom the boredom of after you’ve
boredom the boredom of after you’ve
boredom the boredom of after you’ve darted a lemur that’s high up in the
darted a lemur that’s high up in the
darted a lemur that’s high up in the trees and then waiting for three hours
trees and then waiting for three hours
trees and then waiting for three hours for it to fall asleep and fall into your
for it to fall asleep and fall into your
for it to fall asleep and fall into your net that’s what the picture is about but
net that’s what the picture is about but
net that’s what the picture is about but it’s also to recognize that there was an
it’s also to recognize that there was an
it’s also to recognize that there was an unbelievable amount of the plants and
unbelievable amount of the plants and
unbelievable amount of the plants and animals on Madagascar found nowhere else
animals on Madagascar found nowhere else
animals on Madagascar found nowhere else and we’re still discovering them in 2012
and we’re still discovering them in 2012
and we’re still discovering them in 2012 they announced the discovery of four new
they announced the discovery of four new
they announced the discovery of four new species of chameleons including this one
species of chameleons including this one
species of chameleons including this one which is the world’s smallest brookesia
which is the world’s smallest brookesia
which is the world’s smallest brookesia micro but even more important was the
micro but even more important was the
micro but even more important was the record
record
record that lemurs primates when I left
that lemurs primates when I left
that lemurs primates when I left Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45
Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45
Madagascar in 2003 that there were 45 known species of lemurs at that time and
known species of lemurs at that time and
known species of lemurs at that time and at present there’s a hundred and five
at present there’s a hundred and five
at present there’s a hundred and five lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled
lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled
lemur species of lemurs we’ve doubled the amount of species that’s on that
the amount of species that’s on that
the amount of species that’s on that single island I got addicted I had
single island I got addicted I had
single island I got addicted I had worked with my professor setting up a
worked with my professor setting up a
worked with my professor setting up a national park in in Madagascar that I’d
national park in in Madagascar that I’d
national park in in Madagascar that I’d done my PhD on the outside of I got
done my PhD on the outside of I got
done my PhD on the outside of I got addicted to this process of setting up
addicted to this process of setting up
addicted to this process of setting up national parks I got a job with a
national parks I got a job with a
national parks I got a job with a Wildlife Conservation Society you guys
Wildlife Conservation Society you guys
Wildlife Conservation Society you guys know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set
know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set
know him perhaps as the Bronx Zoo to set up the first National Park in
up the first National Park in
up the first National Park in Afghanistan and you might wonder what is
Afghanistan and you might wonder what is
Afghanistan and you might wonder what is actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan
actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan
actually in Afghanistan well Afghanistan at least even up to 50 years ago had
at least even up to 50 years ago had
at least even up to 50 years ago had more cat species than all of Africa as
more cat species than all of Africa as
more cat species than all of Africa as much as it was a cultural Silk Road it
much as it was a cultural Silk Road it
much as it was a cultural Silk Road it was a biological Silk Road that United
was a biological Silk Road that United
was a biological Silk Road that United the floor and the fauna of Europe of
the floor and the fauna of Europe of
the floor and the fauna of Europe of Asia in Africa there were hyenas in
Asia in Africa there were hyenas in
Asia in Africa there were hyenas in Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US
Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US
Afghanistan as well as brown bears in US in that single country and it became
in that single country and it became
in that single country and it became this is a picture of a Persian leopard
this is a picture of a Persian leopard
this is a picture of a Persian leopard that we had on one of our camera traps
that we had on one of our camera traps
that we had on one of our camera traps it was clearly not very happy to have
it was clearly not very happy to have
it was clearly not very happy to have its picture taken the second National
its picture taken the second National
its picture taken the second National Park the team in Afghanistan set up was
Park the team in Afghanistan set up was
Park the team in Afghanistan set up was in 2012 and this was at the western end
in 2012 and this was at the western end
in 2012 and this was at the western end of the Himalayas this was a legendary
of the Himalayas this was a legendary
of the Himalayas this was a legendary area this place was so remote it was
area this place was so remote it was
area this place was so remote it was next to something called the Eurasian
next to something called the Eurasian
next to something called the Eurasian pole of inaccessibility and and and it
pole of inaccessibility and and and it
pole of inaccessibility and and and it exists you can look it up but what was
exists you can look it up but what was
exists you can look it up but what was it spectacular about this region was
it spectacular about this region was
it spectacular about this region was this was the pathway that Marco Polo
this was the pathway that Marco Polo
this was the pathway that Marco Polo took through Asia
took through Asia
took through Asia this was the pathway he actually
this was the pathway he actually
this was the pathway he actually described one of the sheep species in
described one of the sheep species in
described one of the sheep species in the area these amazing things called
the area these amazing things called
the area these amazing things called Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns
Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns
Marco Polo sheep who’s who have horns that are six feet long if you follow the
that are six feet long if you follow the
that are six feet long if you follow the curve and in this area we also have snow
curve and in this area we also have snow
curve and in this area we also have snow leopards which we were able to get some
leopards which we were able to get some
leopards which we were able to get some of the first camera traps and verify
of the first camera traps and verify
of the first camera traps and verify that after three decades of war that
that after three decades of war that
that after three decades of war that they still persisted
a problem we have as conservationists
a problem we have as conservationists the mere creation of national parks of
the mere creation of national parks of
the mere creation of national parks of which we’ve been exponentially
which we’ve been exponentially
which we’ve been exponentially successful at doing it has been really
successful at doing it has been really
successful at doing it has been really insufficient to stop the current six
insufficient to stop the current six
insufficient to stop the current six mass extinction event that we’re in the
mass extinction event that we’re in the
mass extinction event that we’re in the middle of the rate of extinction at
middle of the rate of extinction at
middle of the rate of extinction at present is a thousand times that of
present is a thousand times that of
present is a thousand times that of background extinction rates the normal
background extinction rates the normal
background extinction rates the normal rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the
rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the
rates of extinctions we’ve seen in the geologic record and in fact we’ve
geologic record and in fact we’ve
geologic record and in fact we’ve probably over us underestimated it by a
probably over us underestimated it by a
probably over us underestimated it by a factor of ten because the very species
factor of ten because the very species
factor of ten because the very species that we like to study right which are
that we like to study right which are
that we like to study right which are commonly distributed distributed across
commonly distributed distributed across
commonly distributed distributed across a variety of habitats that are easily
a variety of habitats that are easily
a variety of habitats that are easily found that are not located in really
found that are not located in really
found that are not located in really tiny specialized habitats at night are
tiny specialized habitats at night are
tiny specialized habitats at night are those species that have the very
those species that have the very
those species that have the very characteristics of adaptability doubt
characteristics of adaptability doubt
characteristics of adaptability doubt would allow them to survive extinction
would allow them to survive extinction
would allow them to survive extinction ninety-five percent of the species we’ve
ninety-five percent of the species we’ve
ninety-five percent of the species we’ve never really assessed for their
never really assessed for their
never really assessed for their extinction rate and in my own beloved
extinction rate and in my own beloved
extinction rate and in my own beloved Madagascar 90% of the force has
Madagascar 90% of the force has
Madagascar 90% of the force has disappeared we’re losing species before
disappeared we’re losing species before
disappeared we’re losing species before we even know that they exist and this
we even know that they exist and this
we even know that they exist and this situation is probably going to get worse
situation is probably going to get worse
situation is probably going to get worse we have nine point six billion people on
we have nine point six billion people on
we have nine point six billion people on this planet expected by 2050 and that
this planet expected by 2050 and that
this planet expected by 2050 and that requires 70% more food
requires 70% more food
requires 70% more food not to mention doubling or tripling
not to mention doubling or tripling
not to mention doubling or tripling nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide
nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide
nitrogen phosphorous water and pesticide use to grow that food and this is
use to grow that food and this is
use to grow that food and this is coupled with the fact that we’ve got
coupled with the fact that we’ve got
coupled with the fact that we’ve got billions of people are merging into
billions of people are merging into
billions of people are merging into middle class who want more meat and
middle class who want more meat and
middle class who want more meat and dairy so what does seventy percent more
dairy so what does seventy percent more
dairy so what does seventy percent more food look like well that it will take a
food look like well that it will take a
food look like well that it will take a billion hectares to grow that food that
billion hectares to grow that food that
billion hectares to grow that food that is an area of new land that is equal to
is an area of new land that is equal to
is an area of new land that is equal to United States and what that means is
United States and what that means is
United States and what that means is we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and
we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and
we’re gonna clear the Congo Basin and the Amazon forests to be able to feed
the Amazon forests to be able to feed
the Amazon forests to be able to feed those people unless we come up with a
those people unless we come up with a
those people unless we come up with a better solution so if you can’t tell I
better solution so if you can’t tell I
better solution so if you can’t tell I am the absolute worst person to invite
am the absolute worst person to invite
am the absolute worst person to invite to dinner right I will just kill your
to dinner right I will just kill your
to dinner right I will just kill your dinner party like no one else can do
dinner party like no one else can do
dinner party like no one else can do with the myriad of facts right
with the myriad of facts right
with the myriad of facts right I am a conservation biologist which
I am a conservation biologist which
I am a conservation biologist which means my discipline exists to describe
means my discipline exists to describe
means my discipline exists to describe and mourn the passing of species right I
and mourn the passing of species right I
and mourn the passing of species right I am I’m part of a society of
am I’m part of a society of
am I’m part of a society of no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t
no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t
no mourners but the fact is this doesn’t have to be the case and it requires us
have to be the case and it requires us
have to be the case and it requires us to think about conservation in some
to think about conservation in some
to think about conservation in some different ways and one of the things one
different ways and one of the things one
different ways and one of the things one of the reasons we can be optimistic is
of the reasons we can be optimistic is
of the reasons we can be optimistic is what I call this democratization of
what I call this democratization of
what I call this democratization of Science and Technology we’re in a period
Science and Technology we’re in a period
Science and Technology we’re in a period of time and you saw girls engineering
of time and you saw girls engineering
of time and you saw girls engineering for change where we have access to
for change where we have access to
for change where we have access to technology the smartphone’s in our in
technology the smartphone’s in our in
technology the smartphone’s in our in our pockets which are amazing connected
our pockets which are amazing connected
our pockets which are amazing connected sensors and supercomputers and the
sensors and supercomputers and the
sensors and supercomputers and the ability to actually address these
ability to actually address these
ability to actually address these problems like never before advances in
problems like never before advances in
problems like never before advances in artificial intelligence and computer
artificial intelligence and computer
artificial intelligence and computer vision so your uber doesn’t have to have
vision so your uber doesn’t have to have
vision so your uber doesn’t have to have a driver coupled with the advances in in
a driver coupled with the advances in in
a driver coupled with the advances in in molecular sciences that’s allowing us to
molecular sciences that’s allowing us to
molecular sciences that’s allowing us to edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft
edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft
edit the genome as if it was a Microsoft Word document and these things in some
Word document and these things in some
Word document and these things in some ways are scary right we’ve seen what
ways are scary right we’ve seen what
ways are scary right we’ve seen what that that has done to our populace I
that that has done to our populace I
that that has done to our populace I think over the last few months but the
think over the last few months but the
think over the last few months but the fact is there are also tools and they’re
fact is there are also tools and they’re
fact is there are also tools and they’re tools that we have to consider for
tools that we have to consider for
tools that we have to consider for conservation and part of the issue of
conservation and part of the issue of
conservation and part of the issue of conservation is we’ve got to actually
conservation is we’ve got to actually
conservation is we’ve got to actually get away from linear solutions we’ve got
get away from linear solutions we’ve got
get away from linear solutions we’ve got to focus on the revolutionary rather
to focus on the revolutionary rather
to focus on the revolutionary rather than the evolutionary and in particular
than the evolutionary and in particular
than the evolutionary and in particular we got to stop addressing the symptoms
we got to stop addressing the symptoms
we got to stop addressing the symptoms of conservation national parks right
of conservation national parks right
of conservation national parks right which reflect deep a bulwark against
which reflect deep a bulwark against
which reflect deep a bulwark against deforestation deforestation is a symptom
deforestation deforestation is a symptom
deforestation deforestation is a symptom the reasons behind that deforestation
the reasons behind that deforestation
the reasons behind that deforestation are the causes and we got to spend more
are the causes and we got to spend more
are the causes and we got to spend more time actually thinking about what those
time actually thinking about what those
time actually thinking about what those causes are and how we address them and
causes are and how we address them and
causes are and how we address them and one example is replacement and I want to
one example is replacement and I want to
one example is replacement and I want to talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs
talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs
talk about some entrepreneurs not NGOs not not not pure academics but
not not not pure academics but
not not not pure academics but entrepreneurs who are actually trying to
entrepreneurs who are actually trying to
entrepreneurs who are actually trying to take on this problem this is a company
take on this problem this is a company
take on this problem this is a company that actually is called pem bian it was
that actually is called pem bian it was
that actually is called pem bian it was founded by two founders one of which was
founded by two founders one of which was
founded by two founders one of which was Matthew Marcus who is a serial
Matthew Marcus who is a serial
Matthew Marcus who is a serial entrepreneur who said I want to do
entrepreneur who said I want to do
entrepreneur who said I want to do something about the poaching of rhinos
something about the poaching of rhinos
something about the poaching of rhinos we’re about to poach him off off
we’re about to poach him off off
we’re about to poach him off off existence on this planet and so he
existence on this planet and so he
existence on this planet and so he reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn
reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn
reverse engineered the DNA of rhino horn which is essentially the same material
which is essentially the same material
which is essentially the same material that makes your hair and then sought to
that makes your hair and then sought to
that makes your hair and then sought to produce
produce
produce that rhino horn himself he actually did
that rhino horn himself he actually did
that rhino horn himself he actually did something else he did a market test to
something else he did a market test to
something else he did a market test to see if there would be demand for his
see if there would be demand for his
see if there would be demand for his product and in the process is doing that
product and in the process is doing that
product and in the process is doing that market test one of the things he learned
market test one of the things he learned
market test one of the things he learned was the fact that this myth of
was the fact that this myth of
was the fact that this myth of traditional medicine wasn’t the primary
traditional medicine wasn’t the primary
traditional medicine wasn’t the primary driver it was actually a carving market
driver it was actually a carving market
driver it was actually a carving market his model is if I sell rhino horn
his model is if I sell rhino horn
his model is if I sell rhino horn instead of sixty thousand dollars a
instead of sixty thousand dollars a
instead of sixty thousand dollars a kilogram which you understand if you’re
kilogram which you understand if you’re
kilogram which you understand if you’re impoverished why you would help poach a
impoverished why you would help poach a
impoverished why you would help poach a rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram
rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram
rhino for six hundred dollars a kilogram or sixty dollars a kilogram I can
or sixty dollars a kilogram I can
or sixty dollars a kilogram I can collapse the market demand for getting
collapse the market demand for getting
collapse the market demand for getting wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may
wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may
wild rhinos if you eat shrimp you may know that there’s a challenge with
know that there’s a challenge with
know that there’s a challenge with wild-caught shrimp which is called
wild-caught shrimp which is called
wild-caught shrimp which is called bycatch this is a picture my wife took
bycatch this is a picture my wife took
bycatch this is a picture my wife took in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a
in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a
in the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua on a shrimp boat and and to the left of that
shrimp boat and and to the left of that
shrimp boat and and to the left of that barrier is the bycatch to the right what
barrier is the bycatch to the right what
barrier is the bycatch to the right what the arrow is pointing at is actually the
the arrow is pointing at is actually the
the arrow is pointing at is actually the shrimp that was caught the bycatch will
shrimp that was caught the bycatch will
shrimp that was caught the bycatch will be thrown away right that is the impact
be thrown away right that is the impact
be thrown away right that is the impact of shrimp so that’s why I love this
of shrimp so that’s why I love this
of shrimp so that’s why I love this company new wave foods which has used
company new wave foods which has used
company new wave foods which has used red algae to create shrimp that looks
red algae to create shrimp that looks
red algae to create shrimp that looks like tastes like cooks like shrimp but
like tastes like cooks like shrimp but
like tastes like cooks like shrimp but without the bycatch without the
without the bycatch without the
without the bycatch without the pollution of shrimp farming without the
pollution of shrimp farming without the
pollution of shrimp farming without the trafficking-in-persons that somewhat
trafficking-in-persons that somewhat
trafficking-in-persons that somewhat involved and it’s kosher right we now
involved and it’s kosher right we now
involved and it’s kosher right we now have kosher shrimp move free now called
have kosher shrimp move free now called
have kosher shrimp move free now called perfect day which is about 16 months
perfect day which is about 16 months
perfect day which is about 16 months from actually having a product on the
from actually having a product on the
from actually having a product on the market created a way to brew milk like
market created a way to brew milk like
market created a way to brew milk like you would brew beer and it is
you would brew beer and it is
you would brew beer and it is molecularly the exact same thing as milk
molecularly the exact same thing as milk
molecularly the exact same thing as milk except you no longer have animal cruelty
except you no longer have animal cruelty
except you no longer have animal cruelty you know Larry has forest clearance
you know Larry has forest clearance
you know Larry has forest clearance which is what you need for livestock you
which is what you need for livestock you
which is what you need for livestock you no longer have the environmental
no longer have the environmental
no longer have the environmental footprint of feeding that livestock you
footprint of feeding that livestock you
footprint of feeding that livestock you no longer have the methane production
no longer have the methane production
no longer have the methane production that comes out of cows which is a major
that comes out of cows which is a major
that comes out of cows which is a major greenhouse gas contributor and they took
greenhouse gas contributor and they took
greenhouse gas contributor and they took out the bad bacteria lactose and
out the bad bacteria lactose and
out the bad bacteria lactose and cholesterol
cholesterol
cholesterol these are incredible things they are not
these are incredible things they are not
these are incredible things they are not frankenfoods there are actually
frankenfoods there are actually
frankenfoods there are actually opportunities for us to address these
opportunities for us to address these
opportunities for us to address these challenges that we have before us we can
challenges that we have before us we can
challenges that we have before us we can address rates of change in new ways and
address rates of change in new ways and
address rates of change in new ways and my friends started this company called
my friends started this company called
my friends started this company called planet labs because they wanted to
planet labs because they wanted to
planet labs because they wanted to disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set
disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set
disrupt NASA NASA as you guys know set up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three
up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three
up Landsat 8 Landsat 8 there are three guides and I’ll show you their picture
guides and I’ll show you their picture
guides and I’ll show you their picture in a second
in a second
in a second Landsat eight cost us 850 million
Landsat eight cost us 850 million
Landsat eight cost us 850 million dollars to put into space it took ten
dollars to put into space it took ten
dollars to put into space it took ten years to build it by the time you put
years to build it by the time you put
years to build it by the time you put technology into a satellite has to be
technology into a satellite has to be
technology into a satellite has to be space certified it’s already out of date
space certified it’s already out of date
space certified it’s already out of date and it gives you 30 meter resolution of
and it gives you 30 meter resolution of
and it gives you 30 meter resolution of the planet every two weeks these guys
the planet every two weeks these guys
the planet every two weeks these guys decided we’re gonna build nano
decided we’re gonna build nano
decided we’re gonna build nano satellites using the technology that is
satellites using the technology that is
satellites using the technology that is in your cell phone as opposed to
in your cell phone as opposed to
in your cell phone as opposed to inventing technology so we benefit from
inventing technology so we benefit from
inventing technology so we benefit from the cost advantages $40,000 a single
the cost advantages $40,000 a single
the cost advantages $40,000 a single nano satellite 17 K to put into space
nano satellite 17 K to put into space
nano satellite 17 K to put into space but what they would do is create a
but what they would do is create a
but what they would do is create a constellation of those satellites their
constellation of those satellites their
constellation of those satellites their hope was to ring the planet so you could
hope was to ring the planet so you could
hope was to ring the planet so you could actually get an image of the entire
actually get an image of the entire
actually get an image of the entire planet every day at 3 meters and if this
planet every day at 3 meters and if this
planet every day at 3 meters and if this sounds like science fiction well on
sounds like science fiction well on
sounds like science fiction well on Valentine’s Day about less than three
Valentine’s Day about less than three
Valentine’s Day about less than three weeks ago the the Indian government put
weeks ago the the Indian government put
weeks ago the the Indian government put 88 of their satellites into space the
88 of their satellites into space the
88 of their satellites into space the final set that’s required to actually
final set that’s required to actually
final set that’s required to actually achieve that so we now have the ability
achieve that so we now have the ability
achieve that so we now have the ability to actually understand rates of change
to actually understand rates of change
to actually understand rates of change Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart
Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart
Scott Laurie was a PhD student of Stuart PIMs here in this campus who created
PIMs here in this campus who created
PIMs here in this campus who created something called AI naturalist that is
something called AI naturalist that is
something called AI naturalist that is allowed individual citizens to help
allowed individual citizens to help
allowed individual citizens to help participate in monitoring of our
participate in monitoring of our
participate in monitoring of our environment and if you think it’s just
environment and if you think it’s just
environment and if you think it’s just an app it was 2.7 observations 104
an app it was 2.7 observations 104
an app it was 2.7 observations 104 thousand species from 78,000 individuals
thousand species from 78,000 individuals
thousand species from 78,000 individuals who have participated in that I wish
who have participated in that I wish
who have participated in that I wish when I was in Madagascar I had that kind
when I was in Madagascar I had that kind
when I was in Madagascar I had that kind of scale in terms of what we’re doing
of scale in terms of what we’re doing
of scale in terms of what we’re doing and finally we can think about
and finally we can think about
and finally we can think about restoration and resilience of the
restoration and resilience of the
restoration and resilience of the environment and some things are pretty
environment and some things are pretty
environment and some things are pretty scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church
scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church
scary in Khanna controversial Ed Church has just announced actually within the
has just announced actually within the
has just announced actually within the last month that he believes his lab he’s
last month that he believes his lab he’s
last month that he believes his lab he’s at Harvard to is two years away from
at Harvard to is two years away from
at Harvard to is two years away from actually bringing back a mammoth right
actually bringing back a mammoth right
actually bringing back a mammoth right and that is because of a tool called
and that is because of a tool called
and that is because of a tool called CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an
CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an
CRISPR caste 9 that gives us this an incredible precision ability to edit the
incredible precision ability to edit the
incredible precision ability to edit the genome and the genome is is one thing
genome and the genome is is one thing
genome and the genome is is one thing that has has has actually increased our
that has has has actually increased our
that has has has actually increased our ability to understand and edit the
ability to understand and edit the
ability to understand and edit the genome has increased faster in our
genome has increased faster in our
genome has increased faster in our technological prowess then-then-then
technological prowess then-then-then
technological prowess then-then-then Moore’s Law well we may not want to
Moore’s Law well we may not want to
Moore’s Law well we may not want to bring back the mammoth to downtown
bring back the mammoth to downtown
bring back the mammoth to downtown Chicago could be could be a really bad
Chicago could be could be a really bad
Chicago could be could be a really bad idea but we do want to stop get rid and
idea but we do want to stop get rid and
idea but we do want to stop get rid and kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out
kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out
kid rate as a fungus that’s wiping out in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s
in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s
in fib Ian’s all over the world and it’s so serious since the Smithsonian has
so serious since the Smithsonian has
so serious since the Smithsonian has taken this frog out of the wild because
taken this frog out of the wild because
taken this frog out of the wild because they’re losing species it is a fungus
they’re losing species it is a fungus
they’re losing species it is a fungus that that literally prevents respiration
that that literally prevents respiration
that that literally prevents respiration and the movement of necessary products
and the movement of necessary products
and the movement of necessary products across the skin barrier by thickening
across the skin barrier by thickening
across the skin barrier by thickening the skin barrier and we’re losing
the skin barrier and we’re losing
the skin barrier and we’re losing species so if we can actually use a gene
species so if we can actually use a gene
species so if we can actually use a gene drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also
drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also
drive to wipe out the fungus that’s also taking out trees in Hawaii that are
taking out trees in Hawaii that are
taking out trees in Hawaii that are endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of
endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of
endemic to Hawaii we’ve got a chance of saving some of these species the power
saving some of these species the power
saving some of these species the power of the microbiome gives us the ability
of the microbiome gives us the ability
of the microbiome gives us the ability also to to combat novel diseases to
also to to combat novel diseases to
also to to combat novel diseases to think of a post-antibiotic world to
think of a post-antibiotic world to
think of a post-antibiotic world to restore 20% of the earth that’s
restore 20% of the earth that’s
restore 20% of the earth that’s currently degraded to reduce pesticides
currently degraded to reduce pesticides
currently degraded to reduce pesticides in agriculture the problem of
in agriculture the problem of
in agriculture the problem of conservation is conservationists we
conservation is conservationists we
conservation is conservationists we really are at a point where the
really are at a point where the
really are at a point where the conservationists can best define the
conservationists can best define the
conservationists can best define the problem but they no longer in charge of
problem but they no longer in charge of
problem but they no longer in charge of all the solutions and we gotta move
all the solutions and we gotta move
all the solutions and we gotta move beyond that and the same thing happened
beyond that and the same thing happened
beyond that and the same thing happened with global health and in global health
with global health and in global health
with global health and in global health we saw this where it used to be called
we saw this where it used to be called
we saw this where it used to be called tropical medicine and it was made up
tropical medicine and it was made up
tropical medicine and it was made up mainly of white men in white suits who
mainly of white men in white suits who
mainly of white men in white suits who knew what all the answers were and what
knew what all the answers were and what
knew what all the answers were and what all the solutions were but the fact is
all the solutions were but the fact is
all the solutions were but the fact is they didn’t and it required bringing in
they didn’t and it required bringing in
they didn’t and it required bringing in engineers an economist an anthropologist
engineers an economist an anthropologist
engineers an economist an anthropologist to be able to actually make the gains
to be able to actually make the gains
to be able to actually make the gains that global health has made today
conservation xlab’s we’re creating what
conservation xlab’s we’re creating what the world’s first digital makerspace a
the world’s first digital makerspace a
the world’s first digital makerspace a platform for mass collaboration to help
platform for mass collaboration to help
platform for mass collaboration to help invent new technologies to take on many
invent new technologies to take on many
invent new technologies to take on many of these problems but it’s not enough
of these problems but it’s not enough
of these problems but it’s not enough just to create a platform it is actually
just to create a platform it is actually
just to create a platform it is actually really important to build a tribe a
really important to build a tribe a
really important to build a tribe a tribe of conservationists of
tribe of conservationists of
tribe of conservationists of conservation engineers and conservation
conservation engineers and conservation
conservation engineers and conservation artists and conservation makers and
artists and conservation makers and
artists and conservation makers and conservation microbiome specialists and
conservation microbiome specialists and
conservation microbiome specialists and conservation anthropologists that were
conservation anthropologists that were
conservation anthropologists that were involved in working with us to help
involved in working with us to help
involved in working with us to help design these new technologies and
design these new technologies and
design these new technologies and outside after the after these talks
outside after the after these talks
outside after the after these talks you’ll actually meet one of the members
you’ll actually meet one of the members
you’ll actually meet one of the members of the Duke Technology Club on this
of the Duke Technology Club on this
of the Duke Technology Club on this campus which is a group of engineers who
campus which is a group of engineers who
campus which is a group of engineers who are starting to take these problems on
are starting to take these problems on
are starting to take these problems on for the first time among any university
for the first time among any university
for the first time among any university campus much as humans have created these
campus much as humans have created these
campus much as humans have created these problems we have the means to solve them
problems we have the means to solve them
problems we have the means to solve them and I’d leave you with this image if we
and I’d leave you with this image if we
and I’d leave you with this image if we can put this this Volkswagon size rover
can put this this Volkswagon size rover
can put this this Volkswagon size rover Curiosity which is still crawling around
Curiosity which is still crawling around
Curiosity which is still crawling around the surface of Mars using this crazy
the surface of Mars using this crazy
the surface of Mars using this crazy thing that was called the sky crane
thing that was called the sky crane
thing that was called the sky crane think of the engineering that went into
think of the engineering that went into
think of the engineering that went into that think of the ingenuity that went
that think of the ingenuity that went
that think of the ingenuity that went into that we’ve got the ability to
into that we’ve got the ability to
into that we’ve got the ability to harness all of these tools to harness
harness all of these tools to harness
harness all of these tools to harness all of us together to be able to address
all of us together to be able to address
all of us together to be able to address these conservation problems thank you
these conservation problems thank you
these conservation problems thank you [Applause]
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