Of the many pressing global change issues, none have as far-reaching effects as biodiversity loss. In this eloquent and passionate talk, Dr. Norman Myers explains why biodiversity is a crucial environmental issue and tells of efforts to find solutions to the problem of species extinction. In his talk, Dr. Myers pays specific attention to tropical forests, where biodiversity is greatest but most at risk.

Viewing Earth from space provides a much-needed platform for understanding global change issues. As a former astronaut logging 1600 space flight hours, Jack Lousma is well-equiped to describe the process of space travel and the benefits of viewing Earth from space. In this lecture, Lousma recounts his experience as an astronaut and the lessons about Earth he has learned.