Human pressures on the environment and natural resources from population and economic growth are ever-growing and a wide range of ecosystems are being impaired worldwide. In addition, it is very likely that anthropogenic climate change will further limit options for human activity, in particular in developing countries. The consequences of accelerated changes in the environment are the challenges that we, as global inhabitants, face in the decades to come. Potentially irreversible environmental damage includes changes in global climate systems, loss of biodiversity, and degradation of water resources, the issues of which are discussed at global arenas such as the Conference of the Parties (COP) Convention on Climate Change every year, the COP Convention on Biological Diversity every two years, and the World Water Council every three years. However, despite the value of multinational strategies in combating these environmental changes, global and regional discussion still proves difficult and at the recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, the divide between developed and developing countries became even more apparent. Importantly, the 2 °C target, politically accepted by all participating countries, was not underpinned by adequate and binding climate protection targets and funds for adaptation. Moreover, the current accord only allows for ratification of actions at a temperature increase of 3.5 °C or more.
Development of strategies in natural resource management together with advances in understanding ecosystem functions using multidisciplinary approaches are key to tackling these challenges and highlight the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in the region and beyond. Mahidol University, as a leading academic institution in environmental science and natural resource management studies for almost four decades, is therefore hosting the "International Conference on the Environment and Natural Resources 2010" to discuss pertinent issues with a regional focus, and to stimulate future collaboration in order to adapt to our changing world.
- To share current research and management experience amongst the university community, consulting and governmental agency professionals, and environmental organizations.
- To stimulate development of collaborative research on environmental issues in the region.
- To promote public awareness and understanding of environmental science and environmental issues.
- To increase the number of students studying this field.
- To provide a venue to promote academic services and new technology.
The International Conference on the Environment and Natural Resources 2010 is organized by FERS-MU in collaboration with:
- Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP), Thailand
- Office of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Thailand
- Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), Thailand
- Pollution Control Department (PCD), Thailand
- Asian Center for Environmental Research (ACER), Meisei University, Japan
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung
- Kathmandu University, Nepal
- University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
- University of Shizuoka, Japan
- International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), University of Malaya, Malaysia
- Vienna University of Technology, Austria