PR - How can we better protect biodiversity on this planet? On August 24, a collaborative discussion between representatives from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the U.S. Department of State were able to join a live Q&A with conservationists gearing up for the world’s largest conservation event, the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii.

The interactive discussion featured voices of conservation specialists Samuel M. ‘Ohukani’ōhi’a Gon III and Amanda McCarty, who were able to take on questions from representatives joining from the U.S. Embassies in Apia, Honiara and all those that joined online. 

The panel spoke about the importance of the habitats they are working to protect and the conservation methods they are using. 

Both speakers also had the opportunity to talk about the changes that are occurring in our environment, more specifically changes in the ocean and forests in this region and how these changes are negatively affecting biodiversity.  

In conclusion, panelists spoke about the work that their agencies are doing to help conserve and protect these important ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots.

Dr. Gon is the senior scientist at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii.  

He studied ecology for four decades in such hot spots as Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands, the Philippines and the Amazon region. 

His work fuses scientific understanding with Hawaiian traditional practices. 

Joining him was Amanda McCarty of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant Office.  She is an expert on climate change and ocean ecosystems.