A special seminar by Professor Gilles Boeuf on 10 April drew attention to the dangers of climate change on biodiversity in different ecosystems around the world. An expert on environmental physiology at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris, France, Prof. Boeuf also facilitated a workshop hosted by the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Pretoria. The aim of the workshop sought to bridge the gap between global policy (such as the United Nations’ sustainable development goals) and biodiversity research.

Prof Boeuf discussed not only the effects of climate change such as drought and melting glaciers but also the role played by citizen scientists in sharing information about changes in their immediate environment. He also spoke about how citizens’ every day choices such as conserving water, buying local produce and avoiding the use of insecticides and pesticides can contribute to protecting biodiversity.