About Paul Ehrlich

Paul Ehrlich is the Bing Professor of Population Studies, Emeritus, and founder of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford. He has carried out field, laboratory, and theoretical research on the dynamics and genetics of insect populations, the evolutionary interactions of plants and herbivores, the behavioral ecology of birds and reef fishes, the effects of crowding on human beings, human cultural evolution, and health problems related to industrialization. He is the author and co-author of more than 1,100 scientific papers and articles and over 40 books. Ehrlich is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society. He has appeared on over 1,000 TV and radio programs and was a correspondent for NBC News.

Professor Ehrlich has received several honorary degrees, the John Muir Award of the Sierra Club, the Gold Medal Award of the World Wildlife Fund International, a MacArthur Prize Fellowship, the Crafoord Prize of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (given in lieu of a Nobel Prize in areas where the Nobel is not given), in 1993 the Volvo Environmental Prize, in 1994 the United Nations’ Sasakawa Environment Prize, in 1995 the Heinz Award for the Environment, in 1998 the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the Dr. A. H. Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences, in 1999 the Blue Planet Prize, in 2001 the Eminent Ecologist Award of the Ecological Society of America and the Distinguished Scientist Award of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, and in 2009 the Margalef Prize in Ecology and Environmental Sciences. Members of Professor Ehrlich’s research group have gone on to join the faculties of Princeton, Brown, and the Universities of California, Nevada, Texas, and Florida.

Show Notes

Reimagining Conservation: Shifting Focus and the Importance of Natural Capital

In this episode of the Rewilding Earth podcast, Jack interviews Paul Ehrlich, a passionate advocate for rewilding and conservation. Paul discusses the need to shift conservation focus from species extinction to population extermination and the importance of natural capital. He delves into various topics, including the historical impacts on biodiversity, the importance of reducing the human enterprise’s scale, and the role universities should play in promoting sustainable practices. Throughout, Paul emphasizes the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and highlights the necessity for greater public awareness and action.

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:22 Rethinking Conservation Focus

01:19 The Role of Species in Ecosystems

04:04 Challenges in Conservation Communication

04:55 Economics and Natural Capital

07:13 Advocacy and Action in Conservation

08:27 Rewilding and Human Impact

10:13 The Future of Humanity and Biodiversity

12:38 The Importance of Education and Research

14:43 Reflections on Progress and Technology

19:05 Historical Perspectives and Modern Challenges

31:32 Personal Reflections and Advice

Extra Credit

Read: Before They Vanish: Saving Nature’s Populations — and Ourselves





* Paul Ehrlich has written more books and papers than can be listed here. Here’s where you can dive deeper into his life’s work.

* Check out the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford.



Episode 137 Transcript PDF

About Paul Ehrlich

Paul Ehrlich is the Bing Professor of Population Studies,