Invasive Species (the Forum)

From parakeets to grey squirrels, signal crayfish to Japanese knotweed, with the help of human beings, non-native species have adeptly squawked, crawled, and rooted themselves in unfamiliar ecosystems. Should we welcome these invaders as a sign of cross-species cosmopolitanism or attempt to remove them? Are some non-native species friends and others foes? When does conservation become ‘green xenophobia’ (Fred Pearce)? In this event, we discuss theoretical and practical responses to non-native species.

Speakers
Fred Pearce, Science journalist and author
Chris Thomas, Professor of Biology, University of York
Emma Townshend, Author and gardening columnist for The Independent on Sunday

Chair
Danielle Sands, Fellow, The Forum; Lecturer in Comparative Literature and Culture, Royal Holloway, University of London