New Approaches for Conserving Biodiversity: Adapting Law and Governance to a Changing Climate

The inability of current laws governing biodiversity to effectively address climate change will have momentous consequences. Laws can present barriers to actions necessary for long-term adaptation, for example by prohibiting relocation of endangered species. Underlying assumptions in a world undergoing climate change may be fundamentally different: adaptation increasingly focuses on conserving centers of evolution, not just conserving biodiversity. Current laws emphasize preserving the status quo.