Extinction, climate change and the ecology of Homo sapiens

Because of human domination, the world faces two major environmental problems—species extinctions and climate change. The still-elusive solutions to these global problems must address interlinked ecological, economic, political, ethical and cultural constraints and trade-offs, and will require unprecedented international cooperation. Major advances in ecological research will be essential and will require that ecology become a more mechanistic and predictive science. Research advances in disciplines ranging from evolution and population ecology to community and ecosystem ecology could greatly contribute to the formulation of viable, sustainable solutions. Synthesis. Because solutions must also be equitable, ethical, economically viable and societally sustainable, it will be increasingly important for ecologists to be part of multidisciplinary teams that evaluate the full range of interlinked environmental and societal impacts of alternative potential policies.