“#210 – Dismantling the myth that we can’t do anything to help wild animals (Cameron Meyer Shorb on The 80,000 Hours Podcast)” by 80000_Hours

We just published an interview: Cameron Meyer Shorb on dismantling the myth that we can't do anything to help wild animals. Listen on Spotify, watch on Youtube, or click through for other audio options, the transcript, and related links. Below are the episode summary and some key excerpts. Episode summary I really don’t want to give the impression that I think it is easy to make predictable, controlled, safe interventions in wild systems where there are many species interacting. I don’t think it's easy, but I don’t see any reason to think that it's impossible. And I think we have been making progress. I think there's every reason to think that if we continue doing research, both at the theoretical level — How do ecosystems work? What sorts of things are likely to have what sorts of indirect effects? — and then also at the practical level — Is [...] ---Outline:(00:30) Episode summary(02:12) Highlights(02:15) One concrete example of how we might improve wild animal welfare(06:00) How many wild animals are there, and which animals are they?(09:26) Why might wild animals be suffering?(12:59) The objection that we shouldnt meddle in nature because nature is good(17:24) Vaccines for wild animals(20:32) Gene drive technologies(24:16) Optimising for high-welfare landscapes--- First published: November 30th, 2024 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/dvygW4KagcCztJtfB/210-dismantling-the-myth-that-we-can-t-do-anything-to-help --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.