ABSTRACT

The world is currently experiencing a sixth period of mass species extinction, and extinction of flora and fauna is caused by a variety of factors arising from industrial activity and increasing human population, such as global warming, climate change, habitat loss, pollution and use of pesticides. Most causes of extinction are linked to corporate activity, either directly or indirectly.

Around the World in 80 Species: Exploring the Business of Extinction responds to the ongoing mass extinction crisis engulfing our planet by exploring the ways in which accounting, business and finance can be used to prevent species extinctions. From Africa to the Far East and from Europe to the Americas, the authors explore species loss and how businesses can stop mass extinctions through greater transparency, and through closer engagement with their investors and wildlife organisations. The book concludes that global capitalism has led us to this extinction crisis and that therefore the mechanisms of capitalism – namely accounting, finance, investment – can help to pull us out. Businesses must urgently address extinction before it is too late for all species, including ourselves.

As the first book to explore corporate accounting and accountability in relation to species on the brink of extinction, this book will be of great interest to both professionals and a wider audience interested in the causes and prevention of extinction.

part I|88 pages

Understanding extinction and introducing extinction accounting

chapter 1|49 pages

Around the world in 80 species

What is mass extinction and can we stop it?

part II|82 pages

Philosophical, moral, literary, business and legal perspectives on extinction

chapter 4|14 pages

Species extinction and closing the loop of argument

Imagining accounting and finance as the potential cause of human extinction

chapter 5|9 pages

Recovered species?

The eastern North Pacific grey whale unusual mortality event, 1999–2000

chapter 7|5 pages

Extraction and extinction

The role of investors in ensuring the marine health of the planet

part III|48 pages

Extinction accounting and accountability around the world

part III.1|46 pages

Extinction accounting in Africa

part III.2|68 pages

Extinction accounting in Europe and Scandinavia

chapter 12|15 pages

Extinction accounting in European zoos

Reporting practice of conservation programmes to protect animals from extinction

chapter 13|11 pages

An RSPB perspective on extinction and extinction prevention

How is the RSPB collaborating and partnering with business to prevent extinction?

chapter 14|26 pages

Endangered house sparrows and thriving red kites

Do we have useful metrics for sustainability?

part III.3|48 pages

Extinction accounting in the USA, Mexico and Canada

chapter 16|35 pages

Accounting for captive belugas

A whale of a business

part III.4|22 pages

Extinction accounting in polar regions

chapter 18|19 pages

Accounting for survival of polar bears

An arctic icon on thin ice

part III.5|42 pages

Extinction accounting in East Asia

chapter 19|30 pages

Panda accounting and accountability

Preventing giant panda extinction in China熊猫