Episode 8

Rewilding: what are the benefits and drawbacks of bringing back wild nature?

Rewilding is a divisive approach to restoring nature. Some consider it an essential action to prevent future extinctions, but others worry about the impacts on farmland or valuable habitats. Should we re-introduce species, including large predators, and if so, how will they live alongside humans? How will different sectors of society benefit from rewilding, or will some lose out? How does the open-ended rationale of rewilding fit in with traditional, highly regulated nature conservation?

Our panel of experts:

  • Prof Susan Clayton, Chair of Psychology, The College of Wooster;

  • Dr Nathalie Pettorelli, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London;

  • Prof Jens-Christian Svenning, Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE) & Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University;

  • Dr Kim Ward, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth

Chaired by Prof James Bullock, Ecologist and member of Extinction Rebellion Scientists.

Watch the full event here