A horizon scan of global conservation issues for 2015. (January 2015) - Sutherland, William J.
Highlights: This is the sixth annual horizon scan. A team of 18 horizon scanners, researchers, and a journalist identified 15 issues following widespread consultation and a Delphi-like process to select the most suitable. The issues were wide ranging but included new sources of energy, novel pesticides, and underground gasification of coal. Abstract : This paper presents the results of our sixth annual horizon scan, which aims to identify phenomena that may have substantial effects on the global environment, but are not widely known or well understood. A group of professional horizon scanners, researchers, practitioners, and a journalist identified 15 topics via an iterative, Delphi-like process. The topics include a novel class of insecticide compounds, legalisation of recreational drugs, and the emergence of a new ecosystem associated with ice retreat in the Antarctic.