Humans cause of latest great extinction event

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Updated July 29, 2009 17:28:30

Many scientists believe we are now living in the midst of another big extinction event, although this time the cause of the mass die-off is easier to identify - humans. A survey of conservation research in the Oceania region says the area is losing species at least as fast as the rest of the planet, and maybe even faster.

The review has found that from Polynesia and the Pacific Islands to New Zealand and Australia, humans are having a dramatic impact on biodiversity and continue to present large-scale threats to plant and animal species.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Dr Richard Kingsford, University of New South Wales

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