ONE of the most important figures in worldwide conservation is to speak in the region.

Yolanda Kakabadse, International President of the World Wildlife Fund, is to deliver a free public lecture in Durham, entitled the “State Of Our Planet.”

The lecture at Durham University will look at how we can move to a more sustainable future.

The former Ecuadorian Minister of Environment will deliver the lecture in the Great Hall at Durham Castle, on Wednesday, February 15 at 8pm.

Ms Kakabadse will explore how human activities are leading to unprecedented damage to the natural world.

She will discuss the causes of this crisis and argue that consumers, business and governments need to shift from short-term to long-term thinking and discuss solutions that can reverse the depletion of natural systems.

She said:“The planet is entering an era of unchartered territory in its history in which humanity is shaping changes on the Earth, but we have the tools to fix this problem and we need to start using them if we care about our own survival and prosperity”.

This lecture is part of Durham University’s Castle Lecture Series, which invites high profile speakers to Durham to deliver public lectures on a range of topics.

It is open to the general public and doors open at 7:30pm.