World CONSERVATION

THE MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE January 2011

The Big Plan

Ocean futures Curbing wildlife trade Love not loss WORLD CONSERVATION

Volume 41, No. 1 January 2011

Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland, Switzerland Contents Tel +41 22 999 0000 Fax +41 22 999 0002 [email protected] Your space 3 www.iucn.org/worldconservation The turning tide 4

Editor: Anna Knee Managing Editor: John Kidd Production and distribution: Cindy Craker NEW CHALLENGES

Contributing editors: A new idealism 5 Deborah Murith Stephanie Achard We need to unplug from virtual reality and reconnect with nature if we have a chance to save biodiversity, says Jeffrey A. McNeely

Design: L’IV Comm Sàrl, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, Getting tough on trade 7 Switzerland Richard Thomas describes the armoury of tools needed to tackle escalating levels of wildlife Printed by: Sro-Kundig, Geneva, Switzerland trade

Opinions Staying power 8 Opinions expressed in this publication do not David Huberman examines the rapid rise of the Green Economy concept necessarily refl ect the views of IUCN, its Council or its Members.

Comments and suggestions NEW APPROACHES Please e-mail the World Conservation team at [email protected], or telephone us on +41 22 999 0116. There’s no going back 10 Sue Mainka on why conservationists may need to rethink their priorities

Back issues An easy win 12 Back issues of World Conservation are available at: www.iucn.org/worldconservation Don’t ignore the cost-effective solution that protected areas offer in tackling climate change and saving biodiversity, says Ernesto Enkerlin-Hoefl ich

Paper Feel the love 14 This magazine is printed on FSC paper. Less of the doom and gloom, let’s be more positive in our communications efforts, says Laurie Bennett Photographs Cover: © Madmaxer / Dreamstime.com Talking heads 16 P4: © Svlumagraphica / Dreamstime.com Leading fi gures outline their priorities for saving the natural world P5: © Alis Gheorghe Leonte / Dreamstime.com P7: © Nick Biemans / Dreamstime.com Where there’s hope… 18 P9: © Irina Drazowa-Fischer / Dreamstime.com P10: © Kentannenbaum / Dreamstime.com An interview with Sylvia Earle on how to reverse the fate of the oceans P12: © Kampee Patisena / Dreamstime.com P14-15: © Sanclemenesdigpro / Dreamstime.com P18-19: © Masa Ushioda / Photolibrary P20: © David Lee / Dreamstime.com NEW PARTNERS P21: © Corbis P22: © Wiltding / Dreamstime.com P23: © Macsim / Dreamstime.com Bring it on! 20 P25: © Moravekv / Dreamstime.com Emerging challenges of the next decade and what IUCN is doing to address them P26: © Paul Topp / Dreamstime.com Let’s get our act together 24 © International Union for Conservation of Nature Jan McAlpine explains what’s needed to overcome the hurdles facing forest conservation and Natural Resources New players 25 A snapshot of some of IUCN’s emerging work with new and diverse partners

Off the shelf 27 A selection of IUCN’s latest publications.

World Conservation welcomes your feedback

We’d like the magazine to stimulate debate, so please let us know what you think. Do you disagree with an article? Does it miss the point? What are you or your organization doing? Send your comments to worldconservation@ iucn.org

World Conservation is available online. You can post comments on individual articles at www.iucn.org/worldconservation Your space

The 100-billion-dollar question

Several recent studies suggest that the current level of Awareness Awareness classes for politicians to be conducted with nearby investment in conservation is far below what is needed to fi eld trips. Environmental magazines and literature in regional halt biodiversity loss. While there is general consensus within languages to reach every corner of countries like India. Television the conservation community that more resources are needed, channels to transmit biodiversity, science and technology in regional languages. Forest corridors to be restored. Experiments it is less clear how that money might be most usefully spent. to be done on a war footing basis towards renewable energy To stimulate discussion on this topic, the last issue of World such as solar, wind; on wetland agriculture such as paddy and Conservation opened up a debate in which readers and visitors sugar cane to consume less water. Control of pests such as rats, insects, etc. by biological methods. to the IUCN website were asked to respond to the question: K. MRUTYUMJAYA RAO

If someone handed you US$ 100 billion to spend on conservation, what would you consider to be the most cost-effective use of those funds? Support improvement of farming techniques in developing countries The responses posted on the IUCN website varied widely. The way agricultural and livestock systems are devastating the Many emphasized that better use of existing funds could go remaining Key Biodiversity Areas in developing countries is very fast and will continue until we improve them. To feed the growing a long way by ensuring that more resources were available population in a sustainable way in these countries, there is a huge for implementation at the local level. The emphasis on local- need to support the improvement of farming techniques through a level action was echoed in several comments calling for the land-use strategy with community involvement. At the same time, we will address hunger issues worldwide since this is fully related promotion of alternative (non-destructive) economic activities to extensive agricultural systems. Conservation will be diffi cult for communities living in or near protected areas. Ecotourism to address if people depending on natural resources are hungry. was singled out as a means of encouraging conservation MAMADY KOBELE KEITA while supporting local livelihoods. The need to improve the sustainability of farming techniques was also seen as an essential local-level action. Other specifi c suggestions included the restoration of currently degraded areas; a focus Managing over-population on key threatened species and areas; improving connectivity No matter how advanced our ecological-economic strategies, our between critically endangered ecosystems (such as through political will, higher budgets, public support, and terrestrial/marine biodiversity corridors); and purchasing land, especially in areas protected area estate, will all eventually hit a ceiling against human pressures for resources. Most conservation projects do with high levels of biodiversity. not address this. The reality is that a global paradigm shift in how we (humans) justify our increasing population is required in order Some recommendations focused on actions at the national to control it. Funding solutions to achieve this are, simply, critical. or global level. The most commonly expressed priority was MARK BEZUIJEN to invest more resources in environmental education and awareness-raising. Participants also noted the urgent need to build a stronger economic case for conservation and suggested that public education, social networks and media campaigns could be used better to ‘sell’ biodiversity. Others suggested Fund for private projects that the integration of biodiversity concerns into development An international fund that could offer low-cost loans to private planning and projects at all levels and in all economic sectors owners and groups wishing to start biodiversity projects, together with technical advice, recognition and moral support (the latter is would be a cost-effective strategy for supporting conservation. really important!) would be benefi cial, not only in increasing the Finally, and more controversially, several respondents focussed overall extent of protected areas, but also in raising the standard on the issue of human population growth, which they saw as of conservation work. SIMON HOLLEDGE the most signifi cant threat to biodiversity.

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 3 The turning tide

elcome to the fi rst issue of World adoption of the Nagoya ‘package’ was cause biodiversity. Which new partners will we be Conservation in a new decade. We for much celebration there was also a sense working with? How will the Green Economy W take stock of the outcomes of that we have no time to lose in implementing unfold? What progress will be made in curbing the Convention on Biological Diversity it—we know what needs to be done, we burgeoning levels of wildlife trade? What conference that took place in Nagoya, Japan know that conservation action works, we have future for the oceans? in October last year and look at what might unprecedented levels of collaboration, so let’s be in store for conservation in the coming get on with it. As this issue went to print, the UN climate years. summit was coming to a close in Cancún, Mexico where governments approved a series In Nagoya governments approved a new of tangible, if modest steps towards a global ‘Big Plan’ for the next 10 years to reduce the 2020 vision deal. The inclusion of REDD (Reducing pressures on biodiversity and take action to Emissions from Deforestation and forest restore the natural world. A major blockage to Looking ahead to the next 10 years of Degradation) as part of the ‘Cancun Accord’ progress was unplugged in the form of a new conservation, we cover some of the latest was seen as a major achievement. And there agreement on managing the planet’s genetic thinking and new approaches that might be was wider progress in acknowledging nature- resources and signifi cant new funding was used and hear prominent fi gures outline what based solutions to both mitigating climate pledged to implement these agreements. While they see as the greatest priority for saving change and adapting to its impacts. ■

4 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 A new idealism

Governments may have done the right thing in Nagoya but we can only save biodiversity if the world at large connects with nature, says Jeffrey A. McNeely. ay back in 1981, at IUCN’s General indicate that governments fi nally understand is very well informed about biodiversity, but Assembly in Christchurch, New that a sustainable future needs to be based on people living in temperate countries seem to W Zealand, the organization’s effective management of biological resources? have only a vague understanding of the topic members instructed their Secretariat to The answer might fall somewhere between and its importance. Many of the conservation undertake an analysis of the technical, legal, these two extremes. targets adopted at Nagoya were in the form economic and fi nancial matters relating to the of slowing the rate of degradation or loss—in conservation, accessibility and use of genetic Certainly those who attended the Nagoya other words, hoping that things get worse less resources “with a view to providing the basis meeting had moments of deep frustration and quickly, but not actually turning around and for an international arrangement and for rules many sleepless nights. The smaller delegations starting to replenish the nature that we have to implement it.” undoubtedly felt disadvantaged because they destroyed in our rush to perceived wealth. lacked the staff to attend the multitude of side A dozen years later, following lengthy events and contact groups. Nagoya was an encouraging step forward, negotiations among governments, such an but now the ideals need to be converted international arrangement was agreed. In But the length of the agenda can also be into action that conserves biodiversity, uses 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity interpreted as a strength, reflecting the biological resources sustainably and equitably (CBD) entered into force, with its objectives insight that biodiversity is essential to any shares the benefi ts arising from the use of of conserving biological diversity, ensuring sustainable relationship between people and genetic resources. We need to redouble our sustainable use of biological resources, and the rest of nature. Biological resources by efforts to understand the intricate workings of equitably sharing the benefi ts arising from the their very nature are renewable when managed nature and use these new insights to manage use of genetic resources. It took another 17 appropriately and provide the capacity for human behaviour in harmony with nature. years for this third objective to fi nally become nature to adapt to changing conditions. The We need to recognize that biodiversity and a central part of the CBD, with the decision by private sector also showed promising signs climate change are part of the same story, with the Conference of Parties at its recent meeting of recognizing that it, too, has much to gain cause and effect intertwined and biodiversity in Japan, to adopt a Protocol on Access and from biodiversity, and much to contribute offering the best opportunity to enable us Benefi t Sharing. to its conservation. And the multitude of to adapt to change. We need to enlist all civil society organizations from all over the of society in a global effort to conserve Reading the press reports might leave the world, essentially holding a biodiversity fair biodiversity using approaches appropriate to impression that the 7,000 or so people in parallel to the governmental negotiations, local conditions and cultures. We need to attending the Nagoya meeting were obsessed demonstrated that the general public has replace our obsession with economic growth with negotiating the protocol, and indeed a deep and abiding interest in nature as an defi ned in how much material we can consume it did consume a disproportionate amount essential element of human well-being. with a more modest approach that defi nes of attention. But of far greater interest to economic growth in terms of better quality of most IUCN Members are the numerous other All of this sounds promising, especially in life, perhaps building on Bhutan’s concept of decisions, on the biodiversity dimensions of light of the research findings launched at ‘gross national happiness’. And fi nally, as part protected areas, forests, biofuels, climate Nagoya demonstrating that conservation of such an approach, we need to provide more change, agriculture, geoengineering, action has helped save more than 60 species opportunities for people to unplug themselves invasive alien species, mountains, traditional that otherwise might have disappeared from virtual reality and reconnect with nature knowledge, the involvement of the private forever, and the report of the TEEB (The that is wild in tooth and claw, or at least refl ects sector, inland waters, coastal and marine issues, Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) the great natural and cultural diversity that plant conservation, dry and sub-humid lands, study that highlighted the enormous value blesses our planet. poverty, incentive measures, and so forth. of biodiversity and unacceptable costs of its continuing decline. Jeffrey A. McNeely is IUCN’s Senior Does this cornucopia of issues mean that Science Advisor. international conventions in support of But optimism, while a healthy state of mind, conservation are so overwhelmed with details is premature in the fi eld of biodiversity. Some that they can no longer function? Or does it countries, such as Brazil, have a public that

6 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW CHALLENGES

Getting tough on trade

We have our work cut out in bringing burgeoning wildlife trade under control says Richard Thomas.

s I write this, Heads of State from Despite sustained efforts by many well- the tuna is not alone. Many of the fi sh species tiger range countries are due to meet meaning organizations and individuals, vital to people worldwide for food are similarly A at Prime Minister Putin’s invitation numbers of this magnificent animal have about to vanish off the dinner table, gobbled to decide the fate of the tiger. It could be plummeted—down to around 3,200, just 3% up by our insatiable and short-sighted appetite. argued that this is the fi rst time such a high of what they were a century ago. level meeting has taken place to save a single The message is—or should be—very clear. species, one that is under threat from ever- Will the International Tiger Forum mark a That as a species whose numbers and behaviour diminishing habitats but one that faces an even turning point in this animal’s future or will its are outstripping the resources this planet has more imminent threat—that of poaching and inexorable decline continue? Only time will to offer, we have to bring our consumption of traffi cking of its parts. tell, but over the next decade, what of other the world’s natural resources—animal, mineral looming wildlife trade crises? and vegetable—down to levels that will not be Does this meeting mark a sudden shift in detrimental to their survival. political awareness of the seriousness of One of the most pressing is the imminent the threat posed by uncontrolled wildlife collapse of fish stocks—worldwide. The We have already seen whole island ecosystems trade to some of the planet’s most iconic northern bluefi n tuna is a prime example. altered irreversibly by human activities, and animals? Certainly it has been sorely needed Despite huge public and political interest, the extinction of species caused by over- and will help boost the issue higher up the governments meeting earlier this year for consumption. There is a danger that history global consciousness. But it is brought CITES (Convention on International Trade will repeat itself on a planetary scale. about by a conservation crisis that is fast in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and approaching—it is, quite literally, a last- Flora) failed to come up with measures that So the challenge is clear: how do we ensure ditch attempt to rescue the tiger. would have helped this species recover. And there is sustainability in our use of wild

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 7 resources? We clearly cannot expect world its message to the world. The challenge is to entangling all in their path. With little fear of leaders to meet and adopt recovery plans for make sure it is heard and understood amid all detection, those who have set these nets visit every species that becomes threatened through the background noise. them undeterred to harvest their illicit plunder. over-use. What is needed is a whole armoury of measures. It is also important to get tough on those Keeping up with such sophistication in the who plunder the world’s wildlife, with no criminal world is a challenge in itself. Ever Consumers who will only purchase products thought for the future or the destruction greater resources are needed by those charged that have the stamp of sustainable harvesting they bestow on those who will follow—the with policing global wildlife trade. The urgent on them: just imagine the impact if every one poachers, traffi ckers, pirate fi shermen and issue of bringing the world’s use of wildlife of the more than 50,000 plant species used illegal loggers. Such criminals are becoming resources down to sustainable levels has to be medicinally worldwide was collected to the increasingly sophisticated in their use of high on the political agenda—which is why the FairWild Standard. modern technology; organized criminal gangs tiger meeting is so important: it might just save ship ivory—by the tonne—half way round not only tigers, but humankind too. ■ We also need to raise awareness worldwide of the world. This year alone, more than 230 the dangers we face and how we can overcome rhinos have been poached in South Africa, Richard Thomas is Communications them, and digital methods have a big part to many of them drugged, their horns chain Manager of TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network (a joint programme of play. Social networks like Facebook can be sawed off and whisked away by helicopter. In IUCN and WWF). effective weapons, while the Internet itself is a matter of days, the horns may have been sold the most powerful communications tool ever in Asia. Massive illegal deepwater gillnets— www.traffi c.org invented. With a few keystrokes and mouse up to 130km long and set 1.5km below the clicks, the conservation movement can beam surface—drift silently, like a wall of death,

Staying power The Green Economy concept is rising rapidly in prominence but can it live up to the hype, asks David Huberman.

he Green Economy has become a Kick-started by crisis with the recent global economic downturn. fashionable topic of discussion As mighty fi nancial institutions crumbled, T amongst environmentalists. With the First of all, the rapid rise in popularity of the leaving governments scrambling to salvage much-anticipated presentation of the global Green Economy concept needs to be placed an increasingly deepening economic crisis, study on The Economics of Ecosystems in context. With a little hindsight, it can be the time was ripe for new ideas on economic and Biodiversity (TEEB) during the UN seen as one step in a longer-standing evolution development. By emphasizing the importance biodiversity summit in Japan, the buzz of the prominence of environmental issues of sustainability, resilience and effi ciency, the surrounding the idea of greening the world in the global consciousness. Hybrid cars, notion of transitioning towards a Green economy got even louder. As a result, the case organic diets and carbon offsets are just a Economy offered an attractive alternative for supporting a Green Economy transition few examples of the growing ‘green’ trend to a bruised and weakened economic model. is gaining in political prominence—the the world has experienced in recent years. topic has already made its way to the top of The remarkable popularity of the Green the agenda of what is likely to become the Economy idea can therefore be seen as yet world’s biggest environmental meeting— another step forward in the mainstreaming of Growing pains the 2012 Rio+20 Summit. As the Green environmental concerns into society. Economy continues to generate interest and Two years on from the 2008 fi nancial crisis, enthusiasm, one might wonder when it will How did it happen? Well, as is tragically the context has already changed. The Green run out of breath. Is the Green Economy often the case with environmental issues, it Economy has already lost some of its veneer just a passing trend, or will it still be relevant largely grew out of a reaction to a major as its rise to popularity has also attracted many 10 years down the road? crisis. It is difficult to disassociate the critics and sceptics. The biodiversity conference growing popularity of the Green Economy in Japan highlighted an inconsistent appreciation

8 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW CHALLENGES

of the merits of the Green Economy concept. Whether you like it or not... Looking ahead, it can be expected that one At the heart of most concerns seems to be of the key steps in further supporting the the impression that rather than offering an Although the Green Economy concept is transition to a green economy lies in the alternative to an unsustainable global economic neither mature nor unanimously popular, its finance and insurance sectors. A greater system, the Green Economy actually supports growing relevance to world affairs is diffi cult to appreciation of biodiversity and ecosystems it. To sceptics, the Green Economy represents deny. The transition to a Green Economy will as essential components of risk management an extension of capitalism that has facilitated remain relevant as long as our planet’s natural would be a major boost for further the ‘commodification’ of nature, thereby resource base continues to be depleted. Greater mainstreaming environmental concerns into undermining its intrinsic value. Ironically, scarcity will inevitably bring greater value for the economy. The connection between the an idea which largely grew out of a feeling natural capital. To borrow the words of Achim environment and reputational risk is already of mistrust towards the dominant model of Steiner, UNEP’s Executive Secretary, the Green well understood by businesses and marketing economic development is now being criticized Economy transition is bound to happen; if not firms. However, sustained environmental for supporting the capitalist status quo. by design, then by default. degradation accompanied by a changing and less predictable climate system will inevitably Notwithstanding ideological differences, it is The ‘by default’ option is likely to be the more bring more operational risks for companies. fair to say that the idea of a Green Economy painful and costly of the two—especially if More investments in ecosystem management is open to interpretation. As a relatively young we have to wait for another major hurricane efforts, or so-called ‘green infrastructure’, could idea, it does not yet have a clear identity. The or bankruptcy before we take sustainability make a signifi cant contribution to reducing United Nations Environment Programme seriously. Luckily, many have already begun to such risks while enhancing the sustainability (UNEP), which is spearheading the Green work on the ‘design’ option. Korea, Germany and resilience of our economies. ■ Economy Initiative, has yet to settle on a and South Africa among others, have offi cially specifi c defi nition for the term. Some consider launched their own national Green Economy David Huberman is the coordinator of the Green Economy to be little more than a strategies. Others are bound to follow IUCN’s work on greening the economy. synonym for sustainable development. An their lead. However, while greater political immediate challenge for the environmental prominence and awareness is a signifi cant www.iucn.org/what/tpas/greeneconomy community in the coming years will be to step forward, much more needs to be done if ensure that the momentum generated by the the Green Economy is to live up to the hype Green Economy idea is not compromised by it has generated. lengthy theoretical deliberations on its precise meaning and scope.

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 9 There’s no going back

Sue Mainka describes some shifts in focus that may be needed if we’re going to save the natural world. NEW APPROACHES

s the International Year of Underlying this work has been a vision of urbanization and water scarcity will all affect Biodiversity comes to a close, we have a natural world, and the means to achieve whether or not an ecosystem as we may have A seen the profile of nature and its it, that may no longer be a realistic basis known it could possibly revert to what it was. importance for humanity reach new heights. for future planning. We speak of ecosystem Media, politicians, business people and the restoration yet in many places this is neither Finally, we must fi nd the means by which to person in the street seem more aware of possible nor even desirable. We encourage change people’s choices and behaviour so what we conservationists have been discussing new technologies in almost any fi eld except that we all take responsibility for conserving for decades. Yet there remains a sense of that relating to manipulating nature. We seek the environment upon which we depend. It’s frustration about inaction and uncertainty integrated approaches that bring in all relevant not enough to talk about the importance of over the best way forward for biodiversity stakeholders yet we speak a jargon that many biodiversity. Many studies have shown that this in the midst of global agendas that seem don’t comprehend. The results of some of simply won’t change the behaviour of people. more concerned with national economies, these disconnects are obvious—first and Advertising agencies and psychologists already peace and security and meeting increasing foremost, we have largely failed to achieve know many of the techniques we need. We energy demands while avoiding the dangers any of the 2010 biodiversity targets set by must work to make biodiversity conservation of climate change. the Convention on Biological Diversity. One the ‘social norm’ and not the purview of an is left to wonder, if 2010 had not been the elite group of people. Our public outreach IUCN stands firmly behind the idea that International Year of Biodiversity would there must emphasize what can be done and how attention to biodiversity conservation will have been half the attention on some of the valuable the results can be rather than focusing help to address these other, seemingly more debates that we have seen? Media coverage on dire situations and how bad things will get pressing, issues. Economies that integrate and political debates in 2011 and beyond will if we don’t act. How can we integrate well- full values of nature as well as full costs of be very informative. used techniques in other sectors and use them nature’s exploitation will be stronger in the to our own advantage? It will mean bringing future. Healthy environments decrease the If we really want ‘A just world that values and the communications professionals with these vulnerability of local people to change and conserves nature’ what will need to change? I skills into conservation. It may also mean thereby foster a world in which differences of would suggest three key paradigms that need shifting scarce funds from activities in support opinion can be discussed and debated rather inclusion in our work—a focus on adaptability, of particular conservation action in the fi eld to than settled through use of force. Biodiversity’s shifting to rehabilitation of ecosystem function communication programmes aimed at a much potential role as a supporter of new energy and integrating communication strategies that more basic awareness among society. Without sources, such as algae farms for biofuels, will motivate individuals to change. it we cannot create a global community of represent new opportunities that only nature environmental stewards. could provide. Using nature both to help Firstly, in conceiving our future vision we store carbon as well as manage the impacts of should think in terms of resilience to change Our goal remains the same—conserving emitted carbon provides a low cost alternative and not in terms of a specifi c state or target. biodiversity for today and tomorrow and for to more technologically intensive options such The one constant in recent years has been ourselves as well as future generations. But the as carbon capture and storage. But what does change—often sudden and sometimes way to get there needs to change. We need to all this mean for the future of conservation? cataclysmic. Biodiversity itself is not static be ready for uncertainty and change. We need but constantly in fl ux and we superimpose on to accept that biodiversity conservation for As conservationists, we have an implicit belief those systems human-induced changes that the future will not be about creating nature in the importance of nature for nature’s sake are diverse and occurring at increasing rates. as it might have been but must endeavour and a recognition that humanity is simply Therefore, we should plan in a way that focuses to create as diverse and adaptable a world one member of a vast array of species that not on any specifi c vision of the future but as possible to keep our options open. We inhabit this planet. Over the past decade, we rather on creating the ability to manage any of need to embrace the skills and techniques of have become increasingly aware of the rest a variety of scenarios that might come to pass. professional persuasion experts to expand the of biodiversity’s role in supporting ourselves And we should also manage for sudden change global conservation community to include and, in return, the impacts of unrestrained as opposed to gradual shifts in circumstances. everyone. ■ exploitation of that role now and in the future. The evidence is growing that future changes We have opened discussions with economists will be sudden as a result of exceeding tipping Dr Sue Mainka is Head of Science and and analyzed, in their terms, the value of points and thresholds beyond which impacts Learning at IUCN. biodiversity. We have established partnerships could no longer be manageable. with bilateral development agencies that www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/ now recognize the role of biodiversity in Secondly, the concept of ecosystem restoration science_learning sustainable development. We have engaged should evolve into ecosystem function with the private sector and they now speak restoration whereby we develop understanding of biodiversity conservation and sustainable of what functions any landscape has provided development as key elements of successful and then work to re-establish the necessary business models. processes for those functions. Climate change,

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 11 An easy win

By paying more attention to protected areas and ecosystem conservation, governments can tackle climate change and save biodiversity at the same time, says Ernesto Enkerlin-Hoefl ich.

limate change alone has already taken of which have ‘co-benefi ts’ for biodiversity, Framework Convention on Climate Change a huge toll on biodiversity but climate but increasingly towards adaptation measures (UNFCCC) conference in Cancún. Let’s be C change negotiations, paradoxically, that have a negligible effect on maintaining honest and recognize that people worry about are harming biodiversity conservation even ecosystem function. climate change because they perceive it as a before many of the effects of this global very real and direct threat to their security and problem are documented. This is clear from Conservationists yearn to have the level of well-being. This is because of the nature of the shifting of priorities in many national public visibility and political traction of climate the problem. Instead of us conservationists governments from ecosystem conservation change, even in the face of probably another trying to convince the public and politicians to climate change mitigation measures, some deferment of concrete action at the UN that saving forests, frogs, butterfl ies and polar

12 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW APPROACHES

bears is really about ‘us’ and ‘more important’ On the adaptation front, natural ecosystems conservation and sustainable management of than climate change, we need to make sure that and protected areas serve as natural buffers terrestrial ecosystems. climate change policies benefi t biodiversity. against climate impacts and other disasters, providing coastal protection, regulating water The ability to at least achieve consensus in Natural measures for climate change flow and flood dispersal, and stabilizing Cancún on the role of nature conservation in mitigation and adaptation have proved to soil against landslides. The value of coastal combating climate change will be equivalent be very cost effective but remain largely wetlands in the United States in providing to what the Montreal Protocol achieved neglected. In Mexico, the most cost-effective protection against storm surges and hurricanes for the ozone layer. Just as CFCs are now a measure by far for storing carbon is the is estimated at US$ 23.2 billion a year. Around thing of the past because we concentrated establishment and maintenance of protected the world healthy mangrove ecosystems on a concrete issue with a technological areas. Yet protected areas are taken for granted are proving their value in protecting local ‘no-regrets’ solution, we can achieve the same and, rather than expand and consolidate them, communities from cyclones. for biodiversity by garnering the resources and resources are allocated to ‘new’ mechanisms. political commitment to our highly proven Protected areas and natural measures in But fi nancial support to the existing global natural solutions in a strong REDD-plus. Let’s themselves will not solve the climate change protected areas network is estimated to be keep our focus and make it happen. ■ problem but immediate solutions must include less than half of what is needed for maximum the protection of large expanses of natural effi ciency and is far short of what’s needed Dr Ernesto Enkerlin-Hoefl ich is Dean of ecosystems until the ultimate solution of for an ‘ideal’ global coverage. The role of Sustainable Development at Monterrey ‘decarbonization’ takes effect. natural ecosystems and protected areas needs Tech in Mexico. He has worked at all levels to be recognized in both the UNFCCC and of conservation from local to international; There is growing evidence of the impact the Convention on Biological Diversity as from research to policy to on-the-ground on mitigation efforts of protecting a powerful tool to increase our resilience to implementation and was credited with natural ecosystems. In Canada, more than climate change. the establishment of Latin America’s fi rst 4,000 million tons of carbon dioxide is Wilderness Protected Area. He is a member sequestered in 39 national parks, estimated to A sense of urgency and opportunity is of IUCN’s World Heritage Panel and Deputy be worth $US39–87 billion in carbon credits. before us. Addressing climate change and Chair of the IUCN World Commission on In the Brazilian Amazon, protected lands, biodiversity conservation in tandem is our Protected Areas. including state parks and indigenous reserves, only current option. They are inherently are expected to prevent 670,000km² of linked and expressed as Reducing Emissions deforestation by 2050, representing 8 billion from Deforestation and forest Degradation tons of avoided carbon emissions. (REDD) or REDD-plus which includes the

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 13 Feel the love

Communication messages about the need to save biodiversity should focus less on ‘loss’ and more on ‘love’ says Laurie Bennett.

ne of the most powerful points The irony is that nature itself tends to childhood experiences, awe-inspiring nature coming out of Nagoya, made both inspire much more positive feelings in just documentaries, and our instinctive fascination O explicitly and also hidden in the about everybody. No one actually cherishes with the workings of the natural world. maelstrom of debate around biodiversity extinction, and everyone would rather it wasn’t policy, is that communication is fundamental happening. If you ask them, most people even The ‘Love’ message trumps the ‘Loss’ to the success of biodiversity conservation. want to help. message for grabbing the public’s attention. Inspiring people towards opportunity is a So it’s important we get it right. But the Love of nature for most people is about awe more powerful driver for action than scaring evidence—the fact we’re losing species at and wonder, senses and sights, not ecosystem them away from the consequences. It is by 1,000 times the natural rate of extinction— services and extinction stories. It is about celebrating conservation that initiatives like would suggest that current communications haven’t been getting through. And when you look closely at the messages being used, it becomes increasingly clear why.

By far the most common message from biodiversity campaigners has been centred on ‘Loss’—increasingly urgent appeals against the accelerating destruction of habitats and species. Pictures of charred and smoking ground punctuated with severed trunks or lonely looking primates staring mournfully into a camera lens. Images of all-things-great- and-small stamped emphatically with ‘under threat’ disclaimers. Most Loss messages end with questions designed to grip you by the moral fi bres and hurl you into a frenzy of outraged conservation action: “Can you stand by and watch this happen?”

Sadly, the evidence would suggest we can. And sadder still, it’s not all that surprising why.

The problem is that these messages don’t resonate with the vast majority of people they are aimed at. For a relatively small ‘biocentric’ audience, for whom nature has intrinsic value, Loss messages provide an obvious imperative for action. These people make up the majority of campaigners, activists and communicators who are already vocal and active on conservation issues. But the people they aim their megaphones at think differently. Most people value nature for how it makes them feel. They make daily decisions based on emotions and habits, not rationale or logic. And global mass extinction messages, while statistically correct, make them feel powerless, not powerful.

14 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW APPROACHES

the International Year of Biodiversity have to calculate the enormous economic value of Whilst policy and decision makers require a been able to begin to capture the public’s nature. From clean air and water to fuel and rational economic argument to take action, imagination and keep their attention long medicine, we can put a tangible dollar sign the public do not. People don’t think rationally, enough to raise awareness of biodiversity loss against our dependence on nature. And the and there is a real danger of undermining and the actions that need to be taken. number has a lot of noughts on it. the Love message by assigning a cold, hard fi nancial value to things people care about. But it’s not as simple as Love vs Loss; there The seemingly clear choice of message for is also ‘Need’. With the recent publication communicators is to combine the Love and Today we are no longer arguing the science of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity Need messages; inspire people, and prove how of biodiversity loss. Nor are we disputing the (TEEB) report, we also now have the means valuable nature can be. But it’s not that simple. far-reaching consequences it will have. Instead our challenge is to sell conservation to the millions of people around the world who can take action. The sales message doesn’t need to explain the complex science of biodiversity, nor repeat well-worn warnings around species and habitat loss. Instead biodiversity must represent the awe and wonder that we feel for the natural world. Paired with relevant and local calls to action, ‘Love’ can quite literally conquer all.

The surprising success of Nagoya gives us license to be more optimistic. An unprecedented political accord, underpinned by the most detailed ecological and economic rationale for action we have ever had, means the stage is set. All that remains is for communicators to choose whether to shout the old messages louder, or to leverage nature’s privileged position as the world’s most inspiring story. ■

Laurie Bennett is Head of Strategy at Futerra Sustainability Communications and a member of IUCN’s Commission on Education and Communication.

www.futerra.co.uk

www.iucn.org/cec

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 15 Talking heads

World Conservation asked prominent people what they thought was the top priority for saving the natural world.

Jane Lubchenco cooperation and compromise. Should the same spirit prevail in the UN climate change negotiations over the next 10 years, Healthy oceans matter. They matter to food and national security, governments can spur action on adapting to the inevitable effects to human health, to economic opportunities and to protection of of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, coastal communities from storms and tsunamis. Yet coastal and thereby safeguarding both the biodiversity of the planet and the

marine ecosystems everywhere are being degraded by nutrient livelihoods of future generations. pollution, overfi shing, climate change, habitat loss and ocean acidifi cation. All citizens should act to restore ocean health. Christiana Figueres is Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Recognizing the value of healthy oceans, the US is implementing Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). its fi rst ever National Ocean Policy, establishing a framework for holistic, ecosystem-based stewardship. Similar approaches that rely on science and strong partnerships at local-to-global scales HRH Princess Basma bint Talal are needed to ensure healthy, productive and resilient coasts and

oceans for present and future generations. One of the key priorities of the coming decade will be to consolidate the achievements in promoting gender equity. Worldwide, women Dr Jane Lubchenco is Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and play pivotal roles in managing local natural resources and creating Atmosphere and Administrator of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric sustainable livelihoods. Prevailing economic conditions throughout Administration (NOAA). the world are creating additional challenges for women and risk eroding gains in gender equity made over recent decades. Women should be included in all levels of decision making, from local to Randal Keynes national to global, so they have more infl uence on the use of scarce resources. Ultimately, the impact of women’s involvement is more

We conservationists are all clear about the crisis the world faces, likely to ensure the well-being of communities as a whole. but so many people outside our community just have no idea, no sense of what everyone will lose if the destruction can’t be halted. Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal of Jordan promotes a range Many more must come to understand and care, and they must of global issues, most notably in the areas of human development, gender then join us in pressing for protection. Until they do, needs will equity and women’s empowerment. be outweighed by interests, and the losses will grow and grow.

We’re strongly focused now on conservation of biodiversity and Monique Barbut we’re making it central to effective protection. But how are we managing in building the public support we need so much? One I believe that in the next few years we have to put an emphasis on of the greatest challenges for us in the next 10 years is to work species protection. Why? Because when we protect species, we

out how to explain, how to persuade. also protect habitats, and in turn, wider biodiversity. Preserving species is something that gains a lot of interest from the general Randal Keynes OBE, is a conservationist and author and a great-great- public, so we can increase awareness among people who are grandson of Charles Darwin. He is a Board Member of the Charles Darwin not specialists. Foundation for the Galapagos Islands and writes about Darwin’s heritage and its use for conservation and science education. It is essential, however, that Governments know what they have to preserve for national good and for future generations; they are the ones who can decide what benefi ts from nature they Christiana Figueres want to protect and on which they want to put a price tag. Some governments have decided to put a tax on tourism to help protect There will never be a single, magic bullet solution to climate their biodiversity. But they need to know what natural assets they

change, which is arguably the biggest challenge ever to face want to preserve and decide on the price. humanity and the natural world as we know it. Governments meeting in Japan last year clinched a landmark deal on how Monique Barbut is Chairperson and Chief Executive Offi cer of the Global to conserve, fi nance and provide access to biodiversity. This Environment Facility. was made possible because governments acted in a spirit of

16 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW APPROACHES

Elizabeth Mrema Harold Mooney

To save the natural world we need to save habitat. Functional We need to urgently address the inadequateness of the processes ecological networks need to be maintained and restored to provide and actions of the Convention on Biological Diversity to stem the the many ecosystem services that biodiversity has to offer. These rapidly deteriorating capacity of our life support system. Scientific networks need to be large enough for species to move freely, findings documenting irreversible losses along the broad sweep of especially in the light of climate change. Currently only 14% of the the living world are acknowledged in the Convention negotiations terrestrial area is estimated to be protected. We need to focus on followed by intense discussions focusing to a large extent on ambitious targets, such as protecting half the planet’s lands and national interests rather than how to care for the precarious state waters, while creating incentives for communities to sustainably of our only home—planet earth. We also need to make dramatic manage their natural resources. One action will be required to progress on the other critical need—substantially engaging a achieve this: cooperation at all levels and by everyone. much greater fraction of the general public in the increasingly challenging battle to protect our biological resource base for a

Elizabeth Mrema is Executive Secretary of the United Nations Secretariat of sustainable future. the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). Harold Mooney is Professor of Biology, Stanford University.

Frances Cairncross Lailai Li

The countries with the richest biodiversity need to have enforceable Human well-being relies fundamentally on the services provided laws to protect it. Not new laws; not exotic new policies. In most by ecosystems; these services are complex, connected and countries, it would be a good start just to enforce existing laws. hierarchical, in the sense of being both products and production This would benefi t not just the cause of conservation. In most processes. While scientifi c knowledge of ecosystems is produced countries, effective law enforcement for the protection of nature using spatial and temporal data in order to capture the reality would also benefi t the poorest individuals. Nature is threatened of these systems, our development plans are largely based mainly by the lawless, whether companies, entrepreneurs or on conventional statistics driven by GDP. The gap between greedy politicians. But these forces are also the enemies of the development planning and the reality of ecosystems is jeopardizing poor, and especially of the rural poor. the sustainability of these natural systems and human well-being. Bridging this gap should be the role of science and will test the

Frances Cairncross is Rector of Exeter College, University of Oxford. conscience of scientists. Previously she was on the staff of The Economist for 20 years, most recently as management editor. Dr Lailai Li is Deputy Director and Center Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and SEI-Asia.

Nina Fedoroff Ashok Khosla People must and will feed themselves and their families. Unless our ability to produce food increases to meet the needs of a still The number one priority for the world today is to bring global growing human population, people will further plunder the natural consumption of natural resources into balance with nature’s world for more cropland, wildlife and seafood. It is absolutely ability to regenerate them. To achieve this, policies, prices and critical for governments, conservation organizations and people purchasing power everywhere must encourage the rich to use and to accept and promote the use of genetically modifi ed plants waste much fewer material goods and allow the poor to be able and animals in agriculture and aquaculture. This will facilitate to have smaller families. Both of these objectives can only be met agricultural intensifi cation on existing cropland and increase the if the distribution of wealth within and among nations is fairer and productivity of animal husbandry and aquaculture, while decreasing each citizen has equal access to opportunities for the sustainable energy and chemical use and reducing detrimental environmental livelihoods needed for a life of dignity and fulfi llment. impacts to preserve animal and plant biodiversity. Ashok Khosla is President of IUCN and Chairman of leading IUCN Member Dr Nina Fedoroff is Willaman Professor of the Life Sciences at Penn organization, Development Alternatives Group. State University and President-Elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She served as the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State from 2007 to 2010.

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 17 Where there’s hope...

We have a 10-year window of opportunity to reverse the fate of our oceans, says world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle in an interview with World Conservation.

eep sea explorer Dr Sylvia Earle has one go and also leave a personal legacy from ship and translated into many languages, led more than 50 expeditions and which we will all benefi t in future years,” speakers brought global attention to Sylvia’s D clocked up some 6,000 hours under says Sylvia. wish and discussed innovative approaches water. A dedicated champion of the ocean, towards working together on ocean issues. she won last year’s prestigious TED prize In her long and illustrious career that has Eight separate initiatives were kick-started, which celebrates Technology, Entertainment included serving as chief scientist at the and Design and was granted ‘one wish to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric change the world’—a wish that is proving Administration (NOAA), Sylvia, explorer- a major stimulus in efforts to save our blue in-residence with National Geographic, has planet. recently launched Mission Blue, a global coalition focused on restoring the health “Mine has been a lifetime wish—to protect of the oceans through fi shing reform and the blue heart of our planet,” says Sylvia. Her increased protection. Mission Blue and its mission is to establish more ‘Hope Spots’ partners have all witnessed graphic signs of or marine protected areas, large enough to ocean degradation including the loss of half protect and restore the oceans. Work on of the world’s coral reefs. establishing some Hope Spots has already begun, with advanced management plans “It is astonishing how fast this is happened. being put in place, while others are still in We’ve also lost 90% of big fish species; the early stages. certain species have gone into freefall decline in my lifetime. And in the Pacifi c Ocean there “The good news is there are more than 5,800 are broad areas where low oxygen levels are marine protected areas, the bad news is you causing massive die-off of organisms. This have to look really hard to see them. All should be headline news.” together they make up just under 1.2% of the ocean—that’s just not enough,” says Sylvia. “If we carry on with what we’re doing, coral reefs will be gone and there won’t be any Last October Chile announced the commercial fi shing because there won’t be establishment of a large marine reserve any fi sh. What has happened in my lifetime around Sala y Gómez island in the Pacifi c. But has driven me to do everything I can to let plans for increasing the number of marine the world know that we have a problem but protected areas fall far short of what’s needed, that it’s not too late to do something about it.” according to a new report from IUCN, The Nature Conservancy and the United Nations “Changes to the oceans are occurring so Environment Programme. Countries are far fast you can’t miss the human impact. But from the 10% coverage promised for 2010. what’s encouraging is that decision makers In comparison, protected areas cover 12% of are beginning to see the links between life the earth’s terrestrial surface. Greater political and the environment—our ability to survive.” will and a change in the way we manage our Sylvia is a skilled communicator and urges the marine capital are needed now to preserve use of every means at our disposal to spread the Earth’s oceans for generations to come, the word. “People cannot act if they do not the report says. know,” she says.

“Given the critical range of pressures on the Last year, Sylvia was among a select group of seas, there has never been a time like this marine scientists, ocean explorers, musicians, when we have needed to act in such decisive artists and activists who journeyed to the ways and connect ocean issues to the broader Galapagos Islands for a Mission Blue public. By taking new actions as individuals, conference aboard the National Geographic world leaders can achieve both those goals in ship Endeavour. Streaming live from the

18 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW APPROACHES

helped by US$ 15 million in commitments Sylvia is an enthusiastic supporter of IUCN to understand what the problems are and to from the people on board. These included and sees the organization as a key player in take action. There is no organization like it US$ 1 million to help protect the waters ocean conservation. “I really applaud IUCN. It for providing that crucial network that pulls around the Galapagos and US$ 1.1 million is one of the best hopes for bringing together people together on a global scale.” to launch a plan to protect the Sargasso Sea. governments and NGOs to work together And that concrete action has to happen now. “We maybe have 10 years to make a difference, to take action that will reverse the trends that are not good for our health, our economy, our security, the existence of life on earth. The window of opportunity is closing but I am optimistic.” ■

Alongside Sylvia’s foundation, Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEAlliance), IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme and its World Commission on Protected Areas are working with Mission Blue and its key partners to implement her wish.

IUCN is a partner in “I am the Ocean,” a campaign which is part of the Mission Blue multi-year strategic partnership of government, private, scientifi c and conservation institutions including the TEDPrize, Google, The National Geographic Society, the Waitt Foundation, and the SEAlliance. It is a global call to action to restore the health and productivity of the oceans.

From cleaning up coastlines to buying only sustainably-sourced seafood, “I am the ocean” provides practical tips for joining forces with conservationists to help increase Marine Protected Area coverage and protect threatened species. This growing effort will promote the expansion of proven solutions, as well as new, cutting-edge ideas from fi sheries policy makers, the seafood industry, and local fi shing and coastal communities.

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 19 Bring it on!

IUCN is rising to the conservation challenges faced by countries worldwide. Three key representatives of IUCN National Committees talk about the emerging issues they face in the next 10 years and what’s being done to address them. NEW PARTNERS

Diana Shand, Vice President of IUCN and Chair of the New Zealand Committee for IUCN Members What do you see as the greatest conservation challenges in your region in the coming decade?

In Oceania, climate change, without a doubt. Some trends and events give us a feeling of what might be in store, even with changes of a few degrees. The small trickle of climate refugees spurred by sea level rise will only increase as people become affected by the economic consequences of climate change. I am fearful of trigger mechanisms that could escalate change rapidly as we are so unprepared for the consequences.

Protecting fi sheries, marine life and our oceans in general is another challenge. Depletion of ocean biodiversity is extremely serious and combined with climate change, acidifi cation and pollution, will have enormous impacts on humanity. A key challenge is to fi nd ways to express the values of biodiversity and ecosystems, and in turn, argue effectively for their protection. Until we do that, political decisions and activities predicated on short- In conservation, the approach of Ecosystem- its intrinsic worth and fi nding ways within the term interests will continue to prevail and based Management is very valuable but the vast myriad of cultural approaches to promote industries will continue to justify their challenge is to convey how this relates to local the understanding of the interconnectedness destruction of nature, including increased communities, species and ecosystems. And between nature and economies and between encroachment into protected areas. we have to recognize that partnerships with nature and climate change. local communities are absolutely essential for How can these challenges be met? biodiversity protection. Who are, or will be, the main players in conservation? With climate change, we must recognize Improving governance is key because poor that everything we have been doing so far governance undermines the best community The major players will be markets, industry has failed. This should spur us to start again efforts and can undermine policies already and consumers. National governments have with a blank slate. It is time for the world to in place that might otherwise work. It’s not a duty to ensure that good governance take the bold step away from carbon trading only about policies though; it’s also about trickles outwards. Local governments and and move towards carbon taxing which will monitoring, and commitment at all levels of educational institutions will have a role to play have far greater benefi ts for biodiversity. And government. in mainstreaming the valuation of biodiversity, protecting biodiversity helps reduce growth in and the media will continue to play a pivotal carbon emissions. Markets drive policies, so there needs to be role in forming opinions and conveying very real fi nancial incentives and penalties for accurate information. Part of the problem of deforestation lies breaches of policy, including trade barriers. in carbon trading schemes. In systems What trends are you seeing? like REDD (Reducing Emissions from To protect the oceans, we must address the Deforestation and forest Degradation), rules beyond inshore fi sheries to the outer We are witnessing increasing unemployment there is protection for some forests, but in edges of exclusive economic zones and the which is moving people away from a the developed world, systems of protecting high seas. We don’t have an effective high seas consumptive lifestyle but not necessarily valuable natural forests and shrub and regime to address many conservation threats, changing their ethics. Women tend to remain grasslands are subject to other market including mineral exploration, oil drilling, as key implementers of conservation action, pressures and contentious trading scheme pollution and fi shing where modern technology but men retain the reins of power and policy, rules that vary from country to country. We has outpaced past rules and agreements. which are often reactionary. could have a world of monocultures meeting carbon trading requirements but this doesn’t In addressing biodiversity loss, we have to Tea Party–like politics of “drill, drill, drill”, help conserve biodiversity. continue the work of valuing biodiversity for “exploit, exploit, exploit”, have re-emerged

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 21 as the fashionable policies of economies. How can these challenges be met? We need to build more partnerships with the It seems that the sense of urgency of the private sector. We need to talk to them, not need for climate change action has actually There is a need to build partnerships between talk about them, explaining why it is important diminished, and denial is extremely powerful. environmental organizations and decision to protect biodiversity and how. In Jordan makers in national and local government, businesses rely on forests, coral reefs and other In many ways it’s like the calm before the as well as the private sector. We must work natural resources but they need to understand storm—people are continuing with business together to recognize the threats and fi nd how biodiversity supports their businesses and as usual with little real change unless personal solutions to them. IUCN is an extremely that they should therefore invest in it. circumstances such as unemployment dictate it. important organization in this regard and can help develop strategic plans for the region. What trends are you seeing? The most positive trends are found in the We should consider different perspectives and widespread understanding of concepts like see how we can continue to raise awareness There is greater investment in the country and Ecosystem-based Management, biodiversity among local communities. We talk about new business emerging, but this investment and sustainable development which was “reduce, reuse, recycle”, but not everyone is putting pressure on water and energy not there a decade ago. Now we have to grasps how to really reduce the consumption resources and in turn on biodiversity and entrench the concept of ecologically sustainable of water or energy. International bodies, such conservation efforts, requiring increased development and move swiftly to fi nd new as IUCN, can also help raise greater awareness efforts, for example, in marine conservation. ways to state measurements of prosperity. of eco-labelling. More people seem aware of environmental One of the most diffi cult challenges is that Who are, or will be, the main players challenges, young people in particular. even though we all have greater awareness, in conservation? There is greater access to information on we are not moving from awareness, and even environmental issues via the Internet, and as commitment, to real action. Action on the The main players in conservation are the private schools compete for students they are ground falls woefully short. Ministry of Environment, local government starting to build this into their curricula. Civil agencies, together with civil society society is educating young people about their www.iucn.org/oceania organizations, the Jordanian National rights and responsibilities. Committee for IUCN and NGOs. The Environment Commission of the Aqaba The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in Jordan Jordan (JREDS) is very active, for example Fadi F Sharaiha, Chair of the could also play a signifi cant role and the IUCN recently leading an initiative in Aqaba, on Jordanian National Committee Regional Offi ce for West Asia will continue to the Red Sea, involving 5,000 people in coral for IUCN and Executive be a key player in the wider region. planting, cleaning beaches and introducing Director of IUCN Member, The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan

What do you see as the greatest conservation challenges in your region in the coming decade?

Confl ict and war—or potential war—in the Middle East and North Africa region is a clear threat and we have already witnessed the impact on the environment in Lebanon and Gaza. Climate change is another signifi cant challenge for the region, and specifically Jordan, as it contributes to water scarcity in a country which is already the third poorest in the world in terms of water availability. Climate change is expected to become even more serious in the years to come, affecting our Red Sea corals for example. Related to water and energy issues is the challenge of economic development in the region. Investment and development are taking over in key areas of Jordan and hampering conservation efforts.

22 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW PARTNERS

international standards and solutions to local issues. We are working on several initiatives such as environmental education, Green Key tourism, the Blue Flag programme and eco- schools with all sectors of society, tackling key issues together.

The Jordanian National Committee for IUCN is playing a major role in both advocacy and in the monitoring of national environmental regulations, for example working with the government on new forest legislation. There are some exciting projects in the pipeline including running training sessions on how to produce environmental Public Service Announcements for television, encouraging those working in the media to cover more conservation issues, and then getting these onto national television. www.jreds.org www.iucn.org/westasia

Sébastien Moncorps, Director of the French Committee for a priority, to avoid further degradation and public awareness of biodiversity, as well as IUCN compensate loss, and we need to recognize the train private sector employees on biodiversity opportunities this presents. issues. What do you see as the greatest conservation challenges in your Everyone should be aware that biodiversity The IUCN French Committee is infl uencing region in the coming decade? is everywhere, from undisturbed and well policies such as national biodiversity and preserved natural sites to urban areas. We all protected area strategies, improving knowledge We need to shift from a biodiversity depend on biodiversity, and its degradation of biodiversity such as through the French Red conservation strategy focused on species and will affect our economy and quality of life. List of threatened species and a global survey habitats to a global strategy for the whole The IUCN French Committee is playing a of biodiversity in French overseas territories. spectrum of life, based on the preservation of key role in the development of a new French It is supporting NGO projects in African the dynamics of ecosystems, their resilience, Biodiversity Strategy that will help address this francophone countries through the Small their connectivity and all the services they challenge in the coming years. Grants Fund Programme, under the French offer. This means pursuing our efforts on Global Environment Facility. We are supporting the protection of threatened species and the Who are, or will be, the main players some 80 projects in more than 30 countries, development of a larger network of protected in conservation? implementing concrete action in the fi eld and areas. But our main challenge is to mainstream empowering local NGOs so they can become biodiversity conservation into all policies and France is seeing the growing involvement of new conservation leaders in their countries. ■ projects, in particular policies of agriculture, local government and business in conservation. fisheries, spatial planning and energy. In The role of NGOs is still crucial and has www.uicn.fr France, we need to pay special attention to been reinforced with their involvement in a www.iucn.org/europe the sea and our overseas territories. We have multi-stakeholder forum on the environment, the second largest maritime domain in the established by the President of France, called Interviews compiled by Nicole Gooderson, world and our overseas territories are nearly the “Grenelle de l’Environnement”. Communications Offi cer, IUCN all located in biodiversity hotspots. Constituency Support Group and Helen After climate change and pollution, Pippard, Species & Membership Offi cer, How can these challenges be met? biodiversity issues are increasingly recognized IUCN Regional Offi ce for Oceania. and understood to be a priority for society, Conserving the web of life will only be achieved but there’s still a long way to go. That’s For more information on IUCN Members, if we succeed in reducing the different pressures why the IUCN French Committee and its National and Regional Committees visit caused by human activity on our environment. Members have launched a national campaign www.iucn.org/members All policies should integrate biodiversity as called “Biodiversity, it’s my nature” to raise

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 23 Let’s get our act together

In an interview for World Conservation, Jan McAlpine, Director of the United Nations Division on Forests takes a candid look at some of the challenges facing forest conservation and what’s needed to overcome them.

What do you see as the key management of forests), this all changed. For where economic and social costs are fully challenges in forest conservation in the fi rst time there was an opening and a need accounted for, to allow for sustainable forest the coming decade? for rapid coordination—to bring in experts on management. We need to work with them to forests, agriculture and other sectors to meet get exactly that kind of change. JM: The overarching pressure on natural the commitments made by governments and forests is driven by the need for food for more address the challenges raised. This has led to a than seven billion people, but the pressure different and deeper level of cooperation and What outcomes do you hope to occurs through expanding agricultural areas bodes well for other sectors. achieve through the International instead of intensifi ed agricultural production. Year of Forests (Forests 2011)? It also occurs through a lack of coordination I recently attended a conference on agriculture, between ministries, such as Agriculture and food security and climate change in The JM: Forests 2011 will focus on “Forests for Environment, and this is mirrored in the Netherlands which addressed the question of People”, celebrating the role of forests in private sector. how to cooperate differently to make progress our lives. Since the UN (Rio) Conference on in all these areas. There were some excellent Environment and Development, the messages Also problematic is the competition between discussions which should also pave the way for to the world have been negative, all about the Rio Conventions (on biodiversity, climate future cooperation between the three ‘sectors’. human failure to achieve sustainability. The change and desertification). Government average person sees nothing but gloom and representatives jealously guard their funding and Other groups which are guilty of not addressing doom when forests are discussed. We need to subject areas for which they take the lead. Some issues cooperatively and effectively are the tell a good story—how forests are the source multilateral and international organizations are private sector and NGOs; not all, but enough of food security, livelihoods and subsistence also guilty of failing to cooperate. to hamper progress. The private sector is often for more than 1.6 billion people. focused on short-term gain and fails to address This needs to change, for example, by taking environmental and social ‘externalities’. Forests provide clean water, contribute a wider landscape approach to the economic, significantly to climate change mitigation social and environmental challenges we face Certain NGOs take an extreme position and and adaptation, are the source of medicine, and asking countries to coordinate better at a deliberate ‘divide and conquer’ approach to and are home to 80% of biodiversity. We the national level. challenges. As one example, the assault on hope to see governments, NGOs, the private the term ‘sustainable forest management’ is sector, and forest-dependent communities an attempt by some to block any government make specifi c commitments to advance the What specifi c actions are needed intervention on the economic aspect of sustainable management of forests around by which players to achieve sustainable management of forests and even the world. Forests 2011 provides an amazing sustainable forest management? to associate the phrase with subterfuge and platform on which we can draw the attention negativity. There are some good reasons for of the world to the potential of forests— JM: It is key that member States of the various multilateral organizations and governments to promote concrete actions and make real conventions coordinate their positions at the not to subsidize the private sector in profi t- changes which will achieve sustainable forest national level to achieve their objectives in making work in forests. However, the extreme management, or if you prefer the term, the all multilateral processes and address gaps in position—that any work done, for example by sustainable management of forests. Positivity coverage. A good example is in the climate the World Bank, to infl uence policy related to and optimism can go a long way in meeting change arena where every attempt by other the private sector and its actions on logging, is the substantial challenges which face us all. ■ sectors to understand and work on climate inherently a bad thing—is, I believe, divisive. change was earlier rebuffed by the ‘experts’. This can only limit our ability to achieve Jan McAlpine is Director of the United But with the Bali Action Plan, which charted an objective understanding and effective Nations Division on Forests and head a course for new negotiations on climate approach to sustainability. Not all economic of the United Nations Forum on Forests change, and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions actors are good at internalizing environmental (UNFF) Secretariat which is spearheading from Deforestation and forest Degradation, considerations, but not all are bad either. Most, the International Year of Forests, or Forests including conservation and sustainable I believe, would support a level playing fi eld 2011.

24 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 NEW PARTNERS

New players

Gone are the days when conservationists only worked with each other. In the coming years IUCN will work with an increasingly diverse range of partners to achieve its goals. Here are some examples.

SOS: Save our Species Species™ and the expertise of its thousands together companies from bauxite miners to of experts around the world. The initiative recycling companies, environmental, human IUCN has joined with the Global was launched during the recent Convention on rights and labour organizations, academics Environment Facility and the World Bank Biological Diversity conference, introducing and government agencies to agree a set of to establish Save Our Species (SOS), calling Nokia as the fi rst business partner to join. principles and criteria and develop a credible on businesses to help build the biggest verification scheme for the aluminium global species conservation fund by 2015. www.sospecies.org industry. Nespresso is also expanding the SOS aims to bring together fi nancial support number of coffee farms in its supply chain from private business with international which are committed to the company’s AAA conservation expertise and cooperation from Sustainable—what else? Sustainable Quality Programme. It is assumed countries facing species extinction. It will that management practices used to achieve provide grants for conservation action on Boutique coffee producer Nestlé Nespresso AAA status enhance the farm’s environmental, the ground, focusing on specifi c threatened continues to expand and deepen commitments economic and social performance. While species and their habitats, and will bring much to sustainability through its partnership with Nespresso has carried out studies to measure needed coordination between many different IUCN. Together IUCN and Nespresso are the economic results of its verification players. It also gives businesses an opportunity working to change aluminium production and scheme, there has not yet been an equivalent to become directly involved in saving the recycling systems, as well as determine how study for the environmental results. The goal is natural world and help meet their sustainable Nespresso’s coffee management programme to determine whether such verifi cation yields development goals. A few grants have already affects biodiversity. IUCN and Nespresso are results in terms of biodiversity conservation, been selected covering more than 30 species. continuing to work on ways of making sure carbon sequestration and water management. IUCN will manage the initiative using the the aluminium used in Nespresso capsules is fi ndings of the IUCN Red List of Threatened produced sustainably. This means bringing www.iucn.org/business

Awe and wonder

IUCN is joining the likes of BBC Earth, Encyclopedia of Life, National Geographic Society, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a collaborator on the new Smithsonian Ocean Portal, a website devoted to awareness, understanding and stewardship of the world’s oceans. The Portal, launched on 2 June last year to mark World Ocean Day, already has more than 20 collaborators. IUCN will promote marine conservation on both its own website and on the Ocean Portal including through articles on the Red List process, particularly highlighting threatened species in the Gulf of Mexico and through guest blogs from Commission members. The Portal is a source of dynamic, multi-media content designed to engage young adults, ocean enthusiasts, middle school teachers and students in ocean science, education and conservation.

www.ocean.si.edu

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 25 The fi nal frontier of California. Shell signed a long-term resource. Apart from the energy produced, agreement with IUCN in 2007 to work it is important to understand the effects on Ocean warming and loss of ice is expected more effectively with experts to reduce biodiversity these installations may have. to accelerate in the Arctic in the coming its environmental impact and support Last year saw the launch of a new IUCN years due to climate change and is already conservation. project in partnership with the Swedish energy affecting Arctic ecosystems. Retreating sea company, Vattenfall AB which will review the ice will increase human activity, putting www.iucn.org/marine latest science to predict the environmental additional pressure on the environment, effects of wave farms. The project aims to and requires new ways of managing and produce a user-friendly scientifi c overview of protecting the region’s natural resources. Reaching potential the potential for wave energy installation to IUCN and the Natural Resources Defense function as artifi cial reefs, fi sh spawning areas Council (NRDC) are starting to explore Wave energy has enormous promise; estimates and as de facto marine protected areas. The opportunities to enhance Ecosystem-based of potential generation capacity vary widely, overview aims to lead to objective, science- Management through regional cooperation between 8,000 and 80,000 terawatt hours per based discussions among politicians, the in the Arctic marine environment, with the year—enough to cover 42–421% of global conservation community, private business support of Shell. Other organizations joining electricity demand. Several countries including and local stakeholders. ■ these efforts include the Ecologic Institute Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, India, and the Center for Marine Biodiversity and UK and the US are already developing projects www.iucn.org/marine Conservation (CMBC) from the University to harvest this offshore renewable energy

26 WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 Off the shelf

A selection of IUCN’s latest publications.

BUILDING RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE Francophonie network encompasses 29 million km2 of land CHANGE: ECOSYSTEM-BASED and 25 million km2 of ocean. It hosts many emblematic ADAPTATION AND LESSONS FROM THE species, such as polar bears, gorillas, okapis, lemurs, giant FIELD turtles and tortoises, European bisons and American wapitis. The Francophonie has a direct responsibility for almost one Edited by Ángela Andrade Pérez, Bernal third of the world’s wetlands, coral reefs and lagoons, and Herrera Fernández, Roberto Cazzolla Gatti for most tropical forests in Africa and large areas in Asia and South America. With climate change now a certainty, the question has become how much change ISBN 978-2-89481-064-4, 2010 there will be and what can be done about it. One of the answers is through adaptation. Many of the lessons that are being learned in adaptation are provided by success stories from the fi eld. This publication contains eleven case studies A FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL covering different ecosystems and regions around the world. ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Its aim is to summarize some current applications of the SUSTAINING TROPICAL COASTAL Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) concept and its tools used COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRIES around the world, and also draw lessons from experiences in conservation adaptation. N.A. Marshall, P.A. Marshall, Jerker Tamelander, David Obura, Delphine Series: Ecosystem Management Series; no. 9 Malleret-King, J.E. Cinner

ISBN 978-2-8317-1290-1, 2010 The estimated 500 million people who depend on coral reefs worldwide regularly contend with change. Whether it is the shifting demands of a global marketplace, political upheaval at the national level, shortage THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF of local supplies such as fuel, or fi ckle weather, the resilience FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY IN of reef-dependent people is often put to the test. Despite this NORTHERN AFRICA hard-earned resilience, coastal communities and reef-based industries are going to be challenged like never before as Edited by Nieves García, Annabelle climate change exerts a multi-faceted infl uence. Cuttelod, Dania Abdul Malak ISBN 978-2-8317-1200-0, 2010 This assessment is the first overview of the conservation status of 877 northern African freshwater species belonging to fi ve taxonomic groups—fi sh, molluscs, dragonfl ies and damselfl ies, LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION freshwater crabs and aquatic plants—in accordance with IN THE CONGO BASIN: LESSONS the IUCN regional Red List guidelines. Species at risk of LEARNED FROM THE CENTRAL regional extinction are mapped and conservation measures AFRICAN REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR are proposed to reduce the probability of future declines. THE ENVIRONMENT (CARPE)

Series: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Regional Edited by David Yanggen, Kenneth Angu, Assessment Nicodème Tchamou

ISBN 978-2-8317-1271-0, 2010 This ambitious publication focuses on the lessons learned concerning the applied conservation approaches of the Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), following ten years of implementation ATLAS: BIODIVERSITY OF THE in nine countries spanning the entire Congo Basin. Organized FRANCOPHONIE: RICHNESS AND into different thematic areas, it contains 27 case studies as VULNERABILITIES well as seven overview articles synthesizing the results of the case studies. The emphasis on lessons learned is aimed This publication from IUCN and the at synthesizing the key pieces of advice concerning the best International Organization of the practices for implementing conservation projects in the region. Francophonie is the fi rst-ever comprehensive This is a rich and practical guide to carrying out applied analysis of the state of biodiversity in 67 conservation that should be of great tool for conservationists French-speaking countries. Present on the in the Congo Basin and around the world. fi ve continents and across all oceans, the ISBN 978-2-8317-1288-8, 2010

WORLD CONSERVATION • JANUARY 2011 27 INTRODUCING SOS – SAVE OUR SPECIES – SAVE OURSELVES A response to the emergency call from nature

Nearly 1 in 4 of the world’s mammals, 1 in 3 amphibians and 1 in 8 of all bird species are at risk of extinction – threatening our own economic security and basis of survival. SOS is a shared initiative of IUCN, GEF and World Bank, bringing together fi nancial support from private business with international conservation expertise. Nokia is the fi rst business partner to join SOS. SOS will provide grants for conservation action on the ground, focusing on specifi c threatened species and their habitats.

Visit www.SOSpecies.org to learn more about this initiative and how you can contribute!