The UNEP Magazine for Youth

for young people · by young people · about young people TUNZA 2009 YOUTH CONFERENCES - What we want from Copenhagen 2010 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY

‘We have to protect the Earth, not just for us but for future generations.’ Yugratna Srivastava at the UN High-Level Summit on Climate Change TUNZA the UNEP magazine CONTENTS for youth. To view current and past issues of this Editorial 3 publication online, please visit www.unep.org Big ask 4 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) What next? 6 PO Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya Tel (254 20) 7621 234 Fax (254 20) 7623 927 Trees, not words 7 Telex 22068 UNEP KE E-mail [email protected] www.unep.org Vote for a voice 8 ISSN 1727-8902 Meet the TYAC 8 Director of Publication Satinder Bindra Editor Geoffrey Lean Special Contributor Wondwosen Asnake Natural mimicry 10 Youth Editors Karen Eng, Joseph Lacey Nairobi Coordinator Naomi Poulton Head, UNEP’s Children and Youth Unit Nature’s R&D 11 Theodore Oben Circulation Manager Manyahleshal Kebede So you think we know it all? 12 Design Edward Cooper, Ecuador; Richard Lewis, Trinidad and Tobago Production Banson Keeping the pieces 14 Front cover photo UNEP Youth Contributors Shaikha Alalaiwi, Bahrain; Yaiguili Diversity counts 15 Alvarado García, Panama; Walid Amrane, Algeria; Hannah Aulby, Australia; Alok Basakoti, Nepal; Marisol Becerra, USA; Florencia Caminos, Argentina; Life in depth 16 Nigel Chitombo, Zimbabwe; Lisa Curtis, USA; Kate de Mattos-Shipley, UK; Linh Do, Australia; Felix Finkbeiner, Germany; Edgar Geguiento, Philippines; End of the line 17 Mirna Haidar, Lebanon; Alex Hirsch, USA; Joon Ho Yoo, Rep. of Korea; Margaret Koli, Kenya; Kyu Hwan Lee, Rep. of Korea; Joeri Lagrou, Belgium; The big ideas 18 Diego Le Gallou, France; Alonso Lizaraz, Venezuela; Nolana Lynch, Tobago; Richard Merritt, USA; Kevin Odhiambo Ochieng, Kenya; Emilio Perez Campanelli, Youth in the fi eld 20 Argentina; Maribel Delia Ramos Cruz, Bolivia; Gista Rukminda, Indonesia; Lea Simma, Sweden; Tan Sijie, Singapore; Heather Smith, USA; Sara Svensson, The forgotten kingdom 21 Sweden; Yugratna Srivastava, India; Anne Walraven, Netherlands. Other Contributors David Ainsworth, CBD; Janine Seven invasive species 22 Benyus, Biomimicry Institute; George Duffi eld, Arcane Pictures; Cary Fowler, GCDT; Stefan Hain, UNEP-WCMC; HyunJin Jeon, UNEP Regional Offi ce for Asia and the Pacifi c; Martin Jenkins, UNEP- WCMC; Jonathan Loh, WWF/ZSL; Rosey Simonds and David Woollcombe, Peace Child International. Printed in the United Kingdom The contents of this magazine do not necessarily re- fl ect the views or policies of UNEP or the editors, nor are they an offi cial record. The designations em- ployed and the presentation do not imply the expres- UNEP and Bayer, the German-based around the world and develop new sion of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP concerning the legal status of any country, territory international enterprise involved youth programmes. Projects include: or city or its authority, or concerning the delimitation in health care, crop science and TUNZA Magazine, the International of its frontiers or boundaries. materials science, are working Children’s Painting Competition on together to strengthen young people’s the Environment, the Bayer Young environmental awareness and engage Environmental Envoy in Partner ship UNEP promotes children and youth in environmental with UNEP, the UNEP Tunza environmentally sound practices issues worldwide. International Youth/Children’s globally and in its own activities. This Conference, youth environmental magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper, The partnership agreement, renewed networks in Africa, Asia Pacifi c, using vegetable-based inks and other eco- to run through 2010, lays down a Europe, Latin America, North America friendly practices. Our distribution policy aims basis for UNEP and Bayer to enlarge and West Asia, the Asia-Pacifi c Eco- to reduce UNEP’s carbon footprint. their longstanding collaboration to Minds forum, and a photo competition, bring successful initiatives to countries ‘Ecology in Focus’, in Eastern Europe.

2 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 International EDITORIAL

ive times in the last half billion years or so of the Earth’s history, its entire web of life has been ripped Fapart by a mass extinction, in which up to 95 per cent Year of of its species may have been lost. After each one, it took the natural world millions of years to recover and, when it did, it was fundamentally different from what had gone Biodiversity before. Mammals got their chance to fl ourish, for example, after the last mass extinction – some 65 million years ago – fi nished off the dinosaurs. In the words of the great paleoanthropologist and conservationist Richard Leakey, such catastrophes ‘restructure the biosphere’.

Now it is happening again. But whereas all the previous ones had natural causes – such as a massive meteor strike as with the death of the dinosaurs, or sudden global warming ith more than half of us living in towns or cooling – this time we are responsible. For the fi rst time and cities, spending less and less time in ever, one species is threatening all the others, as humanity Wdirect touch with the natural world, it is not increasingly takes over and destroys the world’s natural altogether surprising that a recent UK survey revealed habitats. Extinctions have, of course, always happened; only that children have trouble identifying common wild about 3 per cent of the species that have ever lived are alive creatures. Thirty-seven per cent could not identify today. But now they are occurring at 1,000 or even 10,000 a bee – more than a third mistook it for a wasp and times the natural rate. Half of all the world’s current species some even confused it with a fl y. And worryingly, only are expected to disappear by the end of the century. To say 26 per cent often go for walks in the countryside. They that the effects would be devastating does not even begin are not alone. Another survey found that two thirds to do justice to the consequences. of European citizens didn’t know the meaning of ‘biodiversity’, the term we use to describe the variety Early this century the world’s governments repeatedly of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. promised to avert this growing disaster within the decade. European heads of state resolved in 2001 that ‘biodiversity That’s why the Convention on Biological Diversity decline should be halted with the aim of reaching this (CBD) supports UNEP’s highly successful Billion objective by 2010’. The following year, Parties to the Tree Campaign, and encourages hands-on learning Convention on Biological Diversity – now made up of over experience through its Green Wave initiative. 190 countries – committed themselves to ‘a signifi cant reduction’ in the rate of biodiversity loss by the same date, Part of The Green Wave is a campaign for youth world- and the world’s governments adopted the same target wide to plant a tree at 10 o’clock in the morning local at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in time on 22 May – the International Day for Biological Johannesburg. Diversity – creating a ‘green wave’ across time zones. Another part of The Green Wave is a biodiversity photo Yet we now stand on the threshold of the target date and contest that aims to help young people take an inter- nothing has changed. If anything, the rate of loss has est in nature on the eve of 2010, the International Year increased; the approach of the sixth great extinction has of Biodiversity. speeded up. This whole-scale failure is a betrayal of the planet and of our, and succeeding, generations. We must The goals of this signifi cant year are to raise do everything we can to ensure that this wasted decade awareness of the importance of biodiversity and of is not repeated, that the world fi nally slows and then halts steps that can be taken to prevent its loss. As Ban the appalling rate of artifi cial extinction, for the sake of life Ki-moon said in a June 2009 message: ‘There is no on Earth itself. better place to start raising awareness and inspiring action than in schools and families… I encourage students, parents and teachers to ride The Green Wave and spread the word.’ I would like to second the Secretary-General’s words and call on youth everywhere to join in the fi ght to save our most precious resource: biodiversity. Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf Executive Secretary Convention on Biological Diversity For more info, see http://greenwave.cbd.int

Biodiversity 3 Big ask

he vast conference room buzzed Mr Steiner then opened up the with the energy and voices of discussion to the youth, asking what T800 young people between the they already do, and what young ages of 10 and 24, representing more people could offer. than 100 countries. As they huddled at circular tables in groups of 10, Marisol Becerra, from the United language, age and cultural barriers States of America, told how her com- disap peared as they focused on a single mu nity youth project in Chicago main- task: fi nalizing a statement asking world tains a Google map documenting the leaders – on behalf of the world’s 3 city’s toxic sites, such as coal-fi red billion young people – to take decisive power plants, and the health problems action against climate change at the they cause. ‘I hope that everyone here Copenhagen talks in December 2009. and in Copenhagen makes public health a priority,’ she added. The week-long Tunza International Children and Youth Conference, ‘In my province, a company pro- in Daejeon, Republic of Korea, in posed building a coal-fi red power August, was one of the largest ever plant, which my organization then international gatherings of young stopped by actively opposing it,’ said people calling for climate change Edgar Geguiento. ‘Then our province UNEP action. UNEP combined its children’s was struck by an oil spill, the biggest conference and its youth conference in the Philippines, which destroyed – contributed to the proceedings in for this Global Town Hall to support much biodiversity. But for three years real time via the web. the United Nations-led Seal the Deal afterwards, local youth organized and campaign. cleaned up the river. We have the As each table agreed on changes, power to change the world.’ volunteer facilitators sent them via Seal the Deal set out to galvanize laptops to a designated group – the public and political support for a fair When Mr Steiner asked what young ‘Theme Team’ – who collated com- and comprehensive global climate people would do if negotiations at ments and redrafted the statement agreement in the last few months Copenhagen failed, the answers from on the spot. After three hours, the before Copenhagen. It included an around the room were swift and revised document was ready. Wireless online petition and rallies in 100 capi- forceful. All agreed that giving up is keypads let the entire room vote on tals around the world. not an option. each change, and the fi nal version was read out to a cheering crowd. ‘Young people’s voices will and must ‘Intergovernmental conferences have be heard because they will inherit never greatly infl uenced my work,’ Hannah Aulby, from Australia, ap- the outcomes of our actions,’ says UN said Linh Do, who started a cam- preciated how the process and tech- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. paign to change a million light bulbs nology gave each participant an in Australia. ‘If nothing comes out of equal voice. ‘It was very democratic. Copenhagen, I will feel even more At other conferences I’ve attended, Future leaders motivated to continue my current the strongest personalities, loudest During the Tunza Conference, UNEP’s environmental work – it will be that voices or most sophisticated lobby ing Executive Director Achim Steiner led much more urgent.’ powers got their way.’ a dialogue between young people and a panel that included Korean Prime Building steam Delegate Joon Ho Yoo, from Busan, Minister Han Seung-soo, Environ- During the eight weeks before the Republic of Korea, enjoyed the oppor- ment Minister Lee Manee and eco- Global Town Hall meeting, young people tunity to work directly with younger adventurer David de Rothschild. around the planet had hammered out people. ‘I was surprised that, although a draft statement using the new web- they were younger than me, they had ‘I believe you, the future leaders of the based networking platform http://unite so many innovative ideas. I learned a world, will do the best job of looking forclimate.org. Then, in Daejeon, par- lot from them.’ after our fragile planet Earth,’ said ticipants considered each item in the the Prime Minister. ‘There is an old draft, debating changes and additions. Finalizing the statement was the Chinese adage, “A crisis poses danger, More than 200 young people in 15 culmination of a day fi lled with im- but it also presents opportunity”. I cities around the world – including passioned discussion about cli mate hope we will all make the wise choice Cuernavaca (Mexico), Nairobi (Kenya), change, the active role youth are to seize the moment and turn this Canberra (Australia), Bangkok (Thailand), already playing, and their hopes for crisis into an opportunity.’ Vancouver (Canada) and Athens (Greece) the future.

4 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 Karen Eng UNEP UNEP

‘In many ways this process of coming The youth statement is made on behalf of the world’s 3 billion people under to an agreement on a fi nal text mir- rors what will happen in December the age of 25, and asks governments, citizens and youth to commit to taking in Copenhagen,’ said Achim Steiner, action on climate change. Here are some excerpts. For the full text, visit who pledged to take the statement to the September 2009 High-Level www.unep.org/tunza. Summit on Climate Change convened by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The state ment was also sent to government leaders throughout Listen to our voices the world. The future needs strong vision and leadership. ‘It is very important to include the voice of children and youth in every We, young people – 3 billion of the world population – are concerned and frustrated environmental decision. It is our that our governments are not doing enough to combat climate change. We feel re quest to all politicians that they that radical and holistic measures are needed urgently from us all. please take this statement into consi- deration in Copenhagen,’ said 13- We request our governments to: year-old Yugratna Srivastava from • have strict laws and enforcement against those who pollute and degrade the India (pictured with Al Gore on the environment; front cover), who addressed the High- • transition toward a green economy; Level Summit on behalf of the world’s • make engaging environmental education mandatory in schools and universities. young people, and presented the statement. We appeal to all citizens of this planet to: • develop and promote the infrastructure and use of public transportation and eco- Never give up friendly alternatives; ‘Sealing the Deal is important, be- • engage in environmental campaigns and education; cause it would acknowledge climate • commit to sustainable lifestyles to reduce carbon footprints. change to be a critical global issue,’ said Walid Amrane, from Algeria. ‘But As young people, we will: if nations can’t agree, civil society • engage in environmentally friendly activities especially planting, nurturing and – particularly young people – will protection of trees; have to initiate a bottom-up process. • communicate environment and climate change through the media and social Individuals will have to spread in- networks like uniteforclimate.org, Facebook and Twitter, and develop environmental formation, support innovation and websites; change minds. We must not be • support and promote the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to Seal the Deal in victims, but actors.’ Copenhagen.

Biodiversity 5 What next? onferences are one thing, but what happens once like a spider’s web: if some parts are destroyed, the whole they are over? After the Global Town Hall (see pages web loses balance,’ said Kyu Hwan Lee, from the Republic C4-5), Tunza youth delegates got down to working of Korea. out what to do next. They held regional and sub-regional meetings, where they caught up on each other’s projects and Field trips – such as to Uam Historical Park and a cultural discussed action plans for the next two years. centre that taught traditional tea making – rounded off the

‘It’s good to fi nd out about the environmental concerns and youth projects in Asia-Pacifi c,‘ said Alok Basakoti from Nepal. ‘Water pollution was mentioned a lot, as were melt- ing glaciers and the unwise use of water.’ He added: ‘When I return to Nepal, I will organize a Seal the Deal seminar, petition and rally.’

Nolana Lynch, from Tobago, said the Latin American regional meetings helped her gain perspective on the effects climate change is already having on her country. ‘Coconut trees are being uprooted by seawater and the changing seasons mean UNEP mangos ripen in January instead of June,’ she reported. ‘As a region, we have much to do, made harder because we speak English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, so we are all translating for each other.’ week. Heather Smith from the United States went to a local river to learn about freshwater fi sh. ‘We used traditional nets Each region’s plans refl ected on the last 100 days before made of bamboo and string to catch fi sh. One person holds December’s Copenhagen Conference, including educating the net under the water, while the other splashes to herd fi sh and mobilizing young people, asking governments to Seal into it. The guide told us about the individual species and the Deal, and spreading the word through the internet. explained their roles in the ecosystem.’

Delegates also found out what their peers were doing in Emilio Perez from Argentina said. ‘When I go home, I’ll visit other parts of the world. They heard, for example, about the education minister to ask for environmental education to Ella Bella Constantinides’ striking Miss Earth pageant in be added to school curricula. I had this idea before I came, South Africa, recognizing young women’s environmental but attending the Tunza conference has given me resources commitment and involving them in activities like planting and tools such as contacts, the youth statement and printed community vegetable gardens and conserving wildlife. materials like TUNZA magazine. Being associated with UNEP means I am more empowered. Maybe now I’ll have a voice.’

SPOTLIGHTS • SPOTLIGHTS • SPOTLIGHTS Crafty solution Margaret Koli works alongside wardens in Kenya’s national parks, clearing wire snares laid by poachers to catch elephants and antelope. ‘My group, Youth for Conservation, takes the snares to craftspeople, who twist them into decorative animal fi gures and sell them to fund the project.’ The group hopes that

Karen Eng youth action will inspire Kenyans to appreciate the country’s natural heritage. See www.youthforconservation.org

Svetlana Unru, from Tajikistan, spoke of helping poor mountain village communities build solar greenhouses and energy-saving wood stoves, while Canadians Darrick Lee and Michael Darnel performed an award-winning rap about reducing ecological footprints.

Workshops on sustainable cities, youth and climate change, Karen Eng environmental governance, climate change and biodiversity offered a chance to take on new ideas. ‘In the biodiversity workshop, I was struck by the idea that the environment is

6 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 incandescents.’ can’t afford CFLsbecausetheyaremoreexpensive than in theclimatetalks,’ hesays. ‘We want tohelpthosewho from ethnicminoritiesaretheleastrepresentedpeople changed morethan5,000bulbsin400homes.‘People In thesecond,withhelpofhigh-school volunteers, they team replaced1,200lightbulbsinmorethan130homes. they’ve saved onenergybills.Inthefi free ofcharge, andreturnafterthreemonthstoseehow much (CFLs) inthehomesoflow-income, ethnicminorityfamilies, Students replaceincandescentbulbswithenergy-saving ones a Millioncampaignan‘urbanecologicalstudentproject’. Richard Merritt,fromtheUnitedStates,callshisLet’s Raise Sprouting bulbs make thingsoutofrecycled rubbish.’ lake, withourhelp. We alsoteach school children how to local government tooknoticeanddecidedtocleanupthe group visitedschools, talkingaboutecologicalhazards. The eat them,thankstolitterandminingwaste,’ shesaid.‘My ‘The lakeusedtobefulloffi of thecountry’s mostimportantwetlands,LagoUruUru. organization, Quanrakyu, which focusesonprotectingone Maribel Ramosworks withaBolivian youth environmental Fishy business See www.bigmamma.net know abouteach other. Now theprojecthasgoneglobal.’ met someonewho was doingasimilarprojectbutwedidn’t meetings atthe2007 Tunza Youth Conference,’ shesays. ‘I one place.‘The ideaoriginatedintheEuropeanregional consolidates detailsofyouth environmental initiatives in Netherlands, hasjustlaunched anonlineplatformthat Anne Walraven, theEuropean Tunza Advisor fromthe Platform heals See www.letsraiseamillion.org sh, butnow localpeoplecan’t

rst phase,Richard’s

Juventud Ecologista en Acción en Ecologista Juventud Let’s Raise a Million a Raise Let’s the supportwe need.’ country to planttrees too. India’s quite big,soIhopeI’llget said Felix. and 14allover theworld started plantingintheircountries,’ conference inAustria, andchildren between theagesof10 to Copenhagen. draw attention to climate change,especially intherun-up It askschildren worldwide to organize tree plantingsto promoting theirnew campaign: ‘Stop Talking, Start Planting’. Tunza International Children andYouth Conference, tirelessly Germany and13-year-old Yugratna Srivastava from India. million ineachcountry,’ say11-year-old Felix Finkbeinerfrom ‘Children environmental leaders willlisten.’ in say50or100 countries,’ added Yugratna, ‘politiciansand protect biodiversity.’ every year. Trees alsohelpsupply uswith freshwater, and billion have beenpledged, and4.3billionplanted. total of7billiontrees bytheendof2009.Sofar, nearly 6.5 ments to planttrees. UNEP’s most recent goalisto planta business andindustry, civilsocietyorganizations andgovern- paign, whichencourages individualpeople, com munities, Campaign,’ herecalls. 30 milliontrees in30years, andaboutUNEP’s BillionTree change. ‘ThenIfound outhow Wangari Mathaaiplanted Trees, notwords Truth UNEP Felix founded thecampaign after seeing Yugratna added:‘That day, Iasked thechildren inmyown ‘On 29September, we announced thecampaign atapress The two were among themost active participantsatthe ‘If we getanetwork ofchildren plantingmillionsoftrees Felix explains: ‘Eachtree takes up10kilograms ofcarbon ‘Stop Talking, Start Planting’supportstheUNEPcam- STOP TAL START whenpreparing aschoolpresentation aboutclimate climate justice. to plantamilliontrees inGermany. You too can joinhisquest for Nations, supports11-year-old Felix Finkbeiner,whohaspledged Achim Steiner, Executive Director ofUNEP,along withtheUnited want to plantmillionsoftrees worldwide: one Visit www.plant-for-the-planet.org

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G 7 Vote for a voice ‘You are giving these young people a mandate to represent awareness among young people, advising UNEP on ways you,’ said Theodore Oben, Head of UNEP’s Children and to better engage youth, and helping to build and facilitate Youth Unit, to 220 youth delegates assembled in Daejeon, networks around the globe. They also lead youth direct- Republic of Korea, as they prepared to elect the new action campaigns in their regions. Tunza Youth Advisory Council (TYAC). Meanwhile, UNEP works to give the TYAC – and The election, which took place at the Tunza Inter national through it the youth of the world – a voice at international Youth Conference, generated excitement. After getting environmental negotiations, such as its annual Governing to know each other over the course of the Conference, Council meetings. delegates selected two peers from each of UNEP’s regions ‘The people you are electing today speak at most of – Africa, Asia and the Pacifi c, Europe, Latin America and these forums,’ explained Oben. ‘Young people have a seat, the Caribbean, North America, and West Asia – for two- just like every minister, and make their voices heard, year terms of offi ce. Global indigenous youth also won telling leaders things that they usually don’t hear. representation for the fi rst time, bringing membership of ‘So you need to make sure to choose a group who the council to 14. will speak on your behalf – and keep you informed Among their responsibilities are raising environmental afterwards.’

Meet the TYAC: just after the election, the new members spoke to TUNZA.

GLOBAL INDIGENOUS AFRICA change negotiations, as well as afterwards. Whatever decisions are Yaiguili Alvarado García (Kuna), Walid Amrane, Algeria made there, it will be just the beginning. Panama I plan to promote Indigenous people more youth ASIA AND THE PACIFIC are very connected participation at with nature, so the decision- Linh Do, Australia everything that is making level at lost in biodiversity intergovernmental One of my goals affects us. There are climate is to engage networks of indigenous negotiations. I more with the organizations, but will also actively indigenous people they’re not connected support the Seal of Australia, to to UNEP and youth the Deal campaign in the run-up to help their voices movements like Tunza. Engaging the Copenhagen. But my fi rst priority is be heard. I also world’s indigenous youth won’t be to consolidate the African network, want to make easy: every other region has a UNEP improving communication and sure that the offi ce, for example, but we don’t. The exchanging information on lessons Pacifi c islands fi rst step is to start making links. learned. – often forgotten about in Australia – are always given consideration in Lea Simma (Sami), Sweden Kevin Odhiambo Ochieng, Kenya environmental discussions.

It will be exciting to Africa is one of Edgar Geguiento, Philippines see how indigenous the regions most representation will vulnerable to I would like to make a difference, climate change, involve more because we’ve never yet one of the youth, especially had it before. This will most innocent from developing be a good opportunity of causing it. countries, in for indigenous youth Therefore, as a environmental to start working TYAC member, I projects. I also together more for plan to promote the want the many the environment. Rallying them has idea of climate justice, starting with environmental been a challenge, as we live all over fair representation for African youth organizations for the globe, making communication on international platforms. I hope youth in Asia and the Pacifi c to receive diffi cult. to help increase African youth global recognition. And I want to set a participation during the climate good example for others.

8 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 EUROPE Florencia Caminos, Argentina climate movement in the United States right now, PowerShift, but Joeri Lagrou, Belgium I have been it’s not linked with the UNEP working with youth movement, so I’ll be making I am already Tunza since 2007, this a priority. planning a meeting and the Latin of young European American region environmentalists. has a lot of things WEST ASIA Building networks to say about helps everyone environmental Mirna Haidar, Lebanon stay focused protection. As a and motivated. TYAC member, My hope is to Governments are I look forward to the opportunity to help the youth also more likely to work with the other global regions to of my region to listen to young people if we gather exchange project ideas. get involved in in greater numbers. In the run-up to the environment, Copenhagen, we organized a tree- rather than hugging campaign for 350.org’s day North America violence of action on 24 October. We’re also and confl ict. looking for ways to engage the media, Marisol Becerra, United States Unfortunately, an important way to get in touch with of America because of the many people at once. political situation, it’s diffi cult for My priority is them to work together. But children Diego Le Gallou, France to establish and youth have the spirit of peace communication and hope. When it comes to the I plan to go to with environment, we should all be Copenhagen and environmental present. send information justice from within the organizations. Shaikha Alalaiwi, Bahrain Climate Conference I’d also like to to activists. Many strengthen the My priority is to decisions are made North American lead my region behind closed doors, youth environmental base. My region by organizing and it’s important emits much of the world’s pollution, workshops and for citizens to know which affects the rest of the world. conferences, as what governments are doing. Yet there’s very little representation education and from this region here at the Tunza information are Conference. key. I also want LATIN AMERICA AND to encourage ties THE CARIBBEAN Lisa Curtis, United States between youth of America of different countries in my region, Alonso Lizaraz, Venezuela so that together we can help resolve I’m looking climate change issues peacefully. I hope that I can help forward to create a more unifi ed gathering youth network of youth leaders in North within the region. America to work I know I have the with Tunza youth support of my peers; from all UNEP’s together we’re going regions. There to do a great job. is quite a strong Photos: Karen Eng

2007-2009 TYAC members say farewell

Sara Svensson (Sweden) Europe Margaret Koli (Kenya) Africa Before I became a TYAC member, I had been involved in Serving on the TYAC has helped me gain confi dence and skills environmental work for a long time. But my experience as a through presentations, creating networks, lobbying and doing TYAC taught me how to participate at a more global political research on climate change issues – which will help me in level. Tunza was also a springboard for me to become in- my future environmental work. I have learned a lot about how volved with the global UNFCCC International Youth Climate closely economic and environmental concerns are linked; I movement, which is something I encourage everyone to do. plan to explore this further in my graduate studies.

Biodiversity 9 Natural mimicry 10 4. 3. 2. 1. Janine Benyus’ path tobiomimicry F chemicals. They end upwith4percent with highpressures andtreat themwith treat” –heatmaterials up, beat them industrial processes “heat,beatand this year. ‘Materials scientists call UNEP’s ChampionsoftheEarthawards says Benyus,whoreceived oneof by conquering andexploiting nature,’ been characterized notbycopying but fasteners ofVelcro. to invent thefamiliar hook-and-loop his dog’s furinspired George deMestral The hooksoftheburs thatstuck in the world’s fi birds fl biology. TheWrightbrothers watched notes, ‘are failures.’ the success stories. Andfossils,’ she development. Whatsurrounds usare of 3.8billionyears ofresearch and Missoula, Montana. Institute basedinthe‘garden city’of Benyus, president oftheBiomimicry – whatlasts onEarth,’saysJanine what isappropriate and–most important engineers. They’ve found whatworks, plants andmicrobes are consummate sustainably. and processes to meethumanneeds, studies nature andappliesitsdesigns ples ofthisemerging disciplinethat Such isbiomimicry,just afew exam- water from fog. Namib desertbeetle usesto collect mimicking thebumpyshellthat help capture water onbuildingsby as aspiderspinsitsweb. Filmsthat produced withoutheatortoxins, just Listeningtonature:thebest way tolearnfrom natureistoimmerseoneselfinit. Quietinghumancleverness: acknowledgement thatnatureknows best. across such disciplines asbiologyandtechnology. Echoing nature:tryingtomimicwhat isdiscovered. This requirescollaboration source ofinspiration, amentor, leadstosafeguarding naturalness. Protecting the wellspring ofgoodideasthrough stewardship: seeingnatureas a ‘But muchhumaninnovation has Inventors have long beenin spired by ‘The natural world istheresult And whatbetter teacher? ‘Animals, TUNZA closing like pine.Strong fi temperatures byopeningand abrics thatrespond to changing ying asthey invented andbuilt Vol 7No3 rst successful aeroplane. successful rst bres it. Biomimicryalsosetsastandard by the blueprintandrunningawaywith polycultures ofprairies. and agriculture after theperennial modelled after healthyecosystems, the gas,notemitit.Citiescould be construction methodsthatsequester build withcarbon dioxide mightlead to medicines, while learning how corals they feel illcould uncover useful chimps choosingplantsto eatwhen most ofindustrial waste. Watching water could teach ushow to make the microbes thatremove metals from to desalinate seawater. Examining tree could provide aneffi enhancing innovation. and offers endless possibilities for life- ways ofadaptingbetter to life onEarth rather thanjust goodsbothprovides life, while meetingtheirown needs.’ create more andmore opportunitiesfor to live. That’s whatecosystems do:they the cocktail ofgasesthatwe need soil, cleans air,cleans water andmixes conditions conducive to life. Itbuilds recycled to nurture somethingelse. ting waste into asystem where itis as muchenergy asnecessary, andemit- points out,taking andexpending only Nature works atoptimumeffi does life meetourneeds?”,’saysBenyus. species. the continuing success ofthehuman its own habitat doesn’tbodewell for that rob soilofnutrients.Destroying short ages andagricultural systems diver sity loss, climate change, water how we make things.’ product and96percent waste. That’s But it’s notjust amatter ofstealing Studying theroots ofamangrove Valuing nature asasource ofideas ‘The secret isthatlife creates ‘That’s whywe shouldask,“how This approach hascaused bio- ciency, she cet way cient Bryony Schwan genius thatsurrounds us.’ this, anardent desire to protect the new drug.Itwillbegratitude, andfrom will bemore thanastronger fi than theotherwayaround,’ shesays. in whichwe adaptto theEarthrather for usto leap to anew phaseofcoping, humanity, presenting ‘anopportunity has reached itscapacity to sustain now catching onbecause itmust. Earth design challenge. students –anyone looking to solve a designers, architects, engineers or function, makingitfreely available to ing to itsdesignandengineering organize biological information accord- asknature.org, for instance, aimsto disciplines. TheBiomimicryInstitute’s technology, facilitating exchange across as astar isborn.’ neuron inthoughtorto watch incolour instruments to observe theshiver ofa ‘and for thefi is doublingevery fi scientifi a convergence ofseveral factors. First is only now catching on?Benyusthinksit’s So could humanity. care oftheiroffspring,’saysBenyus. taking care oftheplace thatwilltake to dotheamazingthingsthey dowhile environment? Willitlast? Does itpromote life? Doesitfi which anyinnovation can bejudged. ‘I thinkbiomimicry’s greatest legacy Besides, shesays,biomimicryis Another factor iscommunication Why issuchacommon-sense idea ‘Organisms have fi c capacity. ‘Biological knowledge www.biomimicryinstitute.org rst timeinhistory, we have www.asknature.org ve years,’ shesays, gured outaway t with the t withthe bre or a

WhalePower Corporation/Biomimicry Institute Sto Corporation/Biomimicry Institute B Schwan/Biomimicry Institute NATURE’S R&D

3 Termite mounds remain at a near-constant 31°C, while outside temperatures range from 3°C to 42°C. Architects and engineers modelled their ventilation system on this when building the nine-storey Eastgate Building in Harare, Zimbabwe, which needs no air-conditioning and uses 90 per cent less energy than conventional buildings of the same size.

When Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train emerges from tunnels at 322 kilometres per hour, the change in air pressure creates a loud boom. The train’s chief engineer Eiji Nakatsu, a bird watcher, noticed that kingfi shers travelled at great speed through two substances – air to water – with no splash. When the front of the train was remodelled to the shape of a kingfi sher’s beak, it became quieter, faster and more energy effi cient.

M Campbell/Biomimicry Institute 3 The leaves of the Nelumba lucifera, a lotus known for its water-repellent properties, look smooth, but in fact have tiny crevices that trap air on which water droplets fl oat. A tilt in the leaf then causes them to roll off along with particles of dirt. Microscopic surface additives mimicking this effect now help paint, glass and fabrics repel water and stains, reducing the need for environmentally harmful cleaning products.

Trees arrange their cells to maximize strength and fl exibility while minimizing the use of energy and resources. The engineers at GM Opel reproduced the pine tree’s material and Sto Corporation/Biomimicry Institute structural properties in car components, making its ‘bionic car’ 25 per cent lighter – and therefore more energy effi cient – than others in its class, while still crash-safe.

3 Humpback whales can swim in tight circles despite their size, producing nets of bubbles to catch krill. Such agility is attributed to tubercles – large, irregular bumps found on the leading edge of their fi ns, which help maintain channels of fast-moving water across the fl ipper, improving lift by 8 per cent and reducing drag by 32 per cent. Similar structures are now being applied to wind turbines to increase effi ciency, and could improve aeroplane performance and safety.

The Galapagos shark repels bacteria with denticles – small tooth-like structures on its skin. A surface developed to mimic this phenomenon is used in hospitals to minimize the need for chemicals and address the problem of infection without contributing to bacterial resistance. Giles Breton/Biomimicry Institute

Biodiversity 11 So you think we know it all?

Biological diversity (or biodiversity in its abbreviated form) is a term used to describe the complexity of life on Earth. Not only does it refer to the variety of species, but also the diversity of genes and of ecosystems. Although we have just begun to familiarize ourselves with the vastness of the natural world, human activities are putting biodiversity on the line.

Knowns and unknowns Status of terrestrial ecoregions

Estimates suggest that science is familiar with a small and endemism fraction of the world’s biodiversity. Some ecosystems are relatively untouched by science – only 5 per cent of the deep sea has been investigated – and new species still California Floristic Province reveal themselves in more familiar territories. This comes 3,488 plant species, of which as no surprise when we consider that a typical patch of 61% are endemic. tropical rainforest, just 10 kilometres square, contains up to 1,500 species of fl owering plant, 750 species of tree, Madrean Pine Oak Woodlands 400 types of bird and 60 species of amphibian. Insects are 200 amphibians, of which 25% super-abundant, with as many as 42,000 species to a single are endemic. hectare: a study in Panama found 1,200 species of beetle in 19 trees that were new to science. Caribbean Islands Described % of esti- Level of 502 reptiles, 93% of which are endemic. species mated total accuracy 6,500 endemic plant species. Viruses/bacteria 8,000 < 1 very poor Protozoa/algae 80,000 < 15 very poor Tropical Andes Vertebrates 52,000 > 95 good 1,724 birds, of which 34% are endemic. Insects/myriapods 960,000 < 15 poor 673 endemic amphibians. 15,000 endemic plant species.

Arachnids 75,000 < 15 moderate Source: UNEP-WCMC/AAAS Molluscs 70,000 c. 40 moderate Valdivian Forests Crustaceans 40,000 c. 30 moderate 3,892 plant species, of Nematodes 25,000 < 10 poor which 50% are endemic. Fungi 70,000 < 5 moderate Atlantic Forest 350 freshwater fi sh, 38% of which are Plants 270,000 > 80 moderate endemic. 8,000 endemic plant species. c. 1,650,000 < 15 poor

What’s reducing biodiversity?

With rates of extinction 1,000 times higher than normal rates varieties of crop at the expense of other varieties. China now in the fossil record, human activities today are causing grows just 1,000 wheat varieties compared to 10,000 a sixth mass extinction of life on Earth – the fi fth in the 1950s. referring to the disappearance of dinosaurs 65 million years ago. By far the greatest cause of species exter- mination today is habitat destruction. Tropical From sabre-tooth cats 10,000 years ago to rainforests, thought to contain half of global the passenger pigeon in the 20th century, biodiversity, are disappearing at an alarming humans have hunted species to extinction. We rate. New Guinea, which boasts 8 per cent have introduced alien species to eco systems, of the world’s biodiversity on just 0.5 per B thereby exterminating the indige nous species iod sity cent of its land, is losing up to 1.7 per cent of that have evolved no defences against them. In the iver its rainforest annually. Meanwhile, heat-sensitive 1960s, for instance, the predatory Nile perch was introduced ecosystems are fi nding it diffi cult to cope with rising global to East Africa’s Lake Victoria, wiping out 50 species of temperatures. By the year 2000, warmer oceans were indigenous cichlid fi sh. Over the last century, an estimated instrumental in degrading 27 per cent of the world’s coral 75 per cent of crop genetic diversity has disappeared, as reefs – species-rich marine ecosystems that harbour over a plant breeders worldwide grow only the most economical quarter of all known fi sh.

12 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 Terrestrial ecoregions WWF, the global conservation organization, identifi es 200 terrestrial ecoregions – defi ned as ecosystems with wide varieties of endemic species (those found nowhere else on Earth) and a priority for conservation. The WWF study found 47 per cent of these terrestrial ecoregions to be endangered or in a critical condition, 29 per cent to be vulnerable and the rest stable. Just 45,000 known species have been assessed for their conservation status and 38 per cent of these are threatened with extinction. But efforts to conserve biodiversity are being made. Around 12 per cent of the world’s land surface lies within a protected area, and species like the grizzly bear, the bald eagle and the green sea turtle have been brought back from the brink of extinction.

Mediterranean Basin Mountains of Central Asia Status of ecoregion 22,500 plant species, 52% 5,500 plant species, 27% of Himalaya Critical or endangered which are endemic. of which are endemic. 105 amphibians, of which Vulnerable 40% are endemic. Relatively stable

Philippines 167 mammals, 61% of which are endemic.

Sundaland (Malaysia and Indonesia) 950 fi sh species, 37% of which are en demic. 15,000 endemic plant species.

East Melanesian Islands 117 reptiles, 46% of which are endemic.

Cape Floristic Region Southwest Australia 9,000 plant species, of which 5,571 plant species, of which 69% are endemic. 53% are endemic. Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Guinean Forests of West Africa 155 mammals, of which 93% are endemic. 320 mammals, 21% of which 11,600 endemic plant species. are endemic. Source: WWF/UNEP/GRID-Arendal What we stand to lose Major drugs derived from plants The genes, species and ecosystems of today are the ones alongside which humans have developed, and on which Origin Plant Function we continue to depend. Plants, for example, stabilize soils, Amazon Amazonian liana Muscle relaxant sequester carbon dioxide and provide us with fi bres, resins Asia Artemisia annua Anti-malarial and building materials. In particular, biodiversity makes an incalculable contribution to human health and food security. Europe and Autumn crocus Anti-tumour agent North Africa

Roughly 80 per cent of the developing world relies on Tropics/ Coca Local anaesthetic subtropics bio diversity for remedies, while the majority of drugs can be linked to plants, fungi and bacteria. Most food crops depend Europe Common thyme Anti-fungal on genetic diversity to provide them with a regular infusion

Europe Foxglove Cardiotonic Source: UNEP-WCMC of wild genes to maintain their resistance to ever-evolving North America Mexican yam Birth control pill pests, or the ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions. Biodiversity loss reduces the likelihood of deriving new North America Pacifi c yew Anti-tumour agent medicines from the natural world. It also threatens our food Madagascar Rosy periwinkle Anti-leukaemia security, as the genetic resources which could help major Asia Velvet bean Anti-parkinsonian crops adapt to a changing world diminish.

Biodiversity 13 Keeping the pieces Through the ages, people have relied on more than 10,000 plant species for food. No longer. Barely 150 are now cultivated, and only 12 provide 80 per cent of all humanity’s supplies. Photos: Mari Tefre/Global Crop Diversity Trust Diversity Crop Mari Tefre/Global Photos:

rop biodiversity is disappearing fast. Mexico, becoming ever more uncertain. ‘Current projections,’ says where corn was fi rst developed 7,000 years ago, Fowler, ‘suggest that within a few dec ades the coldest Chas lost 80 per cent of its varieties. India has lost growing seasons in many countries will be warmer than 90 per cent of its rice varieties and China 90 per cent of the hottest of the past. its wheat varieties. And in the United States, nine out of ten varieties of vegetables and fruits grown a century ago ‘In the temperatures likely in Southern Africa by the have vanished. That’s not to mention the extinction of a 2030s, currently grown maize varieties, which provide staggering 6,800 of the 7,100 named varieties of apple half the region’s nutrition, would see a 30 per cent cultivated there in the 1800s. production decrease. This would be a catastrophic food crisis, especially in light of population growth,’ he says. Such losses could have devastating effects on the world’s The solution is to breed heat-tolerant maize, but the two food security, says Cary Fowler, Executive Director of decades before 2030 represent only two breeding cycles. the independent Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT), ‘We have two rolls of the dice to get it right.’ especially as climate change, water shortages, population and consumption increase. ‘Diversity,’ he explains, ‘gives This underlines the need to save as much genetic us what we need in an era of uncertainty: options.’ material as possible, as does the fact that relying on fewer varieties makes food supplies vulnerable to pests Nearly all food results from 10,000 years of tinkering, as and diseases. ‘I often get asked why we need 7,000 farmers crossbred varieties to obtain the best traits for their apples,’ Fowler says. ‘Well, today’s “best” variety is to- circumstances. ‘Natural selection’, in Fowler’s words, ‘at morrow’s lunch for insects or diseases, which aren’t in the hands of men and women.’ the business of becoming extinct themselves.’ A single characteristic in a little-known, economically unviable But those farmers had access to genetic raw material that’s variety could be bred into a crop to provide resistance, now disappearing. Over time, they instinctively selected which might mean the difference between life and death high-yield, commercially popular varieties, neglecting for millions of people. others, a process which was accelerated by the spread of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And as agriculture Last year the GCDT – based at the Rome headquarters and seed production have become more commercialized, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United farmers have saved fewer seeds to plant in subsequent Nations – opened the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Deep years, causing the precipitous decline of countless crops inside a Norwegian Arctic mountain, the vault already adapted to local conditions. holds around 425,000 samples of unique crop varieties from the world’s seed banks. Norway owns the facility, but Meanwhile, many of the world’s 1,500 seed banks – where depositors own the seeds, which are kept naturally frozen much of the world’s crop biodiversity is stored – have been by the cold. Just a little extra power is needed to keep hit by unstable funding, equipment failure, war, natural the temperature steady at -18°C, at which many seeds can disaster and mismanagement. And the future of food is survive for at least 1,000 years.

14 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 Diversity counts

hat isn’t counted is often thought not to count. And adding up the world’s wildlife can provide Wa good measure of the Earth’s well-being. WWF’s Living Planet Report monitors population trends in wild animals through its Living Planet Index. In this way it reveals how quickly we are losing biodiversity – some 30 per cent since 1970. Meanwhile, its Ecological Footprint measures how much of the world’s resource base humanity is consuming. While the Footprint shows consumption increasing, the Index shows species – and therefore ecosystems – declining at much the same rate. In 2002, the inter- national Convention on Biological Diversity adopted both as measures to assess the rate of biodiversity loss. The Index isn’t exactly trying to save animals: it’s counting them in order to draw conclusions about the health of ecosystems. ‘We could measure an ecosystem’s area instead, but areas can stay the same while species decline,’ says Jonathan Loh, the report’s editor. ‘So we measure the abundance of species living within ecosystems: in the tropical forest, for example, this could ‘It doesn’t look like much, but if you know what’s there, be parrots and primates. All we ask is: did this species it’s pretty emotional,’ says Fowler. ‘We have seeds from population decline, stay the same, or rise? nearly every country in the world. There are 70,000 ‘We’re making the assumption that trends we see in samples of rice varieties, for example. A year from now, vertebrates will be the same for other species in that we’ll have more than half a million.’ habitat; that if these decline, all biodiversity – trees, plants, insects – in that biome is declining too. But this The vault, which acts as a global genetic safe-deposit is a reasonable assumption given that the causes of box securing a back-up copy of agricultural information, decline, including overexploitation, habitat destruction already contains over half the world’s crop genetic and climate change, tend to be common to all species.’ diversity, and will eventually hold samples from every To do the count, the Index trawls thousands of crop species that can be stored frozen. Yet Fowler biologists’ reports in journals and online, adding infor- stresses that up to 100,000 endangered crop varieties mation to a database. The data are categorized and – including varieties of potato, cassava and yam – are so numbers averaged to show how, say, freshwater fi sh close to extinction that samples of them cannot be sent to populations in temperate or tropical regions are faring. Svalbard. ‘Populations must be re-grown under controlled ‘The Index started with 30 species; we’re now up conditions fi rst,’ he says. The GCDT plans to rescue these to 10,000,’ says Loh. ‘And it doesn’t include all kinds varieties over the next two years. of animals, just vertebrates – fi sh, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles – for which we can get popu- It is also working on an information system to let lation data. There are not enough data on invertebrates researchers search quickly for traits they need. ‘This or plants to include them.’ library of life needs a card catalogue,’ he explains. ‘A Loh says the 2010 edition of the report will also try to plant breeder seeking rust-resistance for wheat now has to make clear connections between cause and effect: how look gene bank by gene bank, which is ridiculous when our growing consumption of palm oil leads to an increase we’re facing something as threatening as climate change.’ in plantations, a decline in habitat, and thus fewer orang- utans, for example. Could Svalbard’s seeds be used to create genetically ‘That’s the message: our rapacious consumption is modifi ed (GM) crops? Fowler says Svalbard contains only causing this loss of global biodiversity. We can’t deal with non-GM seeds, but decisions on how to use them rest them as separate issues,’ he concludes. with their depositors. ‘Genes are the raw material for both traditional breeding and genetic modifi cation. Whichever LIVING PLANET INDEX, 1970–2005 ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT, 1961-2005 side wins, we will have made that possible. As American 1.5 1.5 environmentalist Aldo Leopold said, “The fi rst rule of Species index (1970=1.0) One planet Earth intelligent tinkering is to save all the pieces.” 1.0 1.0

‘And we will need them all,’ adds Fowler. ‘If our agri- 0.5 0.5 culture doesn’t adapt to climate change, neither will we.’ 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 05 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 05

Biodiversity 15 eas and oceans may cover 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, Sbut their depths ensure that they provide a staggering 99 per cent of its inhabitable space. Yet we know almost nothing about the life of the deep sea, further, that is, than 200 metres down. And it plunges at its deepest point – in the Mariana tend to live longer and reproduce less Trench near Guam in the northwest frequently, so they take much longer Pacifi c – to 11,000 metres, deeper to recover from damage,’ says Hain, than Mount Everest is high. pointing out that an orange roughy (otherwise known as deep-sea perch) ‘Some experts say we know less now caught and eaten could easily of the deep sea than the moon’s have hatched in Napoleon’s time. surface,’ says Stefan Hain, Head of UNEP’s Coral Reef Unit. That is hardly Acidifi cation of the oceans caused surprising, for the moon is almost as by rising emissions of carbon dioxide inhospitable as the deep sea: sunlight is making it increasingly dif fi cult for does not penetrate down there and plankton and crustaceans to make temper atures fall as low as 4°C. shells. ‘This will have a huge impact Photos: NERC/National Oceanography Centre, Southampton on marine life,’ he says, adding: ‘What Humanity has so far only explored will become of the organisms that about 5 per cent of the deep sea. depend on them, including us?’ ‘But,’ says Hain, ‘this unknown world is starting to open up through such Scientists continue to make import- technological developments as re- ant discoveries. Cold-water corals, motely operated vehicles (ROVs), for example, provide habitat for which can photograph and video at thousands of previously unknown as much as 4,000 metres down.’ species. Potent chemicals in deep- sea sponges may hold anti-cancer Deep-sea creatures, however, are well drugs. Such fi ndings just scratch the adap ted to life in silence and darkness. surface of what is yet to be revealed – So, Hain points out: ‘Using an ROV providing one more reason to protect is like driving a jeep into a jungle the deep seas. to observe animals with headlights blazing and music on full-blast. The Attempts to establish marine pro- larger, more mobile organisms are tected areas are gaining momentum, long gone before they are in range.’ concentrating on the most biologi cally signifi cant areas. The strategy, Hain But the new technology has had no points out, is to design networks of diffi culty in revealing a huge amount protected areas, making them more Life of deep-sea litter, from rubber boots resilient to such stresses as overfi shing, to plastic bags, even cars. ‘Lost fi shing warming waters and acidifi cation than nets go on trapping and killing fi sh,’ single sites would be. he adds. ‘More fi sh come to scavenge and get trapped, and this can go on He concludes: ‘We need an integrated in for months.’ ecosystem approach. But we still lack the knowledge we need to create Deep-sea fi sh stocks are declining as fl exibility. Nearly everything we see fi shing fl eets – after depleting tradi- has some kind of undiscovered aspect tional species – increasingly exploit or mystery. It’s a whole new world depth deeper waters. ‘Deep-sea species down there.’

16 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 End of the line

Photos: The End of the Line od used to be so plentiful off the Newfoundland seabed, damages it and destroys corals. Clover, a farmer’s coast that early European visitors reported that they son, likens it to ploughing fi elds seven times a year, pointing C‘hardly have been able to row a boat through them’. out that not many crops would survive such treatment. They found that if they just lowered a basket over the side of a boat they could pull it up thick with the fi sh. The fi lm devotes much attention to the bluefi n tuna, which is increasingly threatened with extinction. It shows the Now these waters are empty. The cod fishery – which European Union setting a bluefi n tuna fi shing quota of peaked at 810,000 tonnes a year in 1968 – suddenly 29,500 tonnes a year, twice the 15,000 tonnes that scientists collapsed and had to be closed in 1992, throwing some recommend as the maximum if collapse is to be avoided, 30,000 people out of work. And it still has not recovered. and three times the 10,000 tonnes that they believe would Indeed the very ecology of the sea seems to have changed, allow the species to recover. becoming dominated by shrimp and crab, rather than by fish. And it also shows how Mediterranean fi shermen fl out even these lax limits to take 61,000 tonnes of bluefi n a year – Scientists now fear that overfi shing is doing to the world’s equivalent to a third of the entire population of the fi sh. Too oceans what it did to the sea off Newfoundland, and to a generous quotas, and illegal fi shing beyond them, bedevil host of species besides cod. A team led by Dr Boris Worm of other fi sheries too, such as in the North Sea. the University of Dalhousie in nearby Nova Scotia, concluded in 2006 that global fi sh stocks had been in steep decline for But when fishing is properly controlled, stocks can almost 20 years. If the trend were to continue, it added, the recover. So-called ‘no-take zones’, for example, do not oceans could be empty of edible fi sh by the middle of the just allow fish to recover inside them, but often repopulate century, a disaster for the more than a billion people who surrounding waters. And a new paper co-authored by Dr rely on them for protein. Worm shows that good management is rebuilding stocks off California, Chile, New England, northwest Australia Put simply, there are too many people – and too many boats and Mexico, among other places. Though these remain – hunting too few fi sh. A new fi lm, The End of the Line, drops in the proverbial ocean, he sounds an optimistic based on a best-selling book by British journalist Charles note. ‘When people understand crises, changes start to Clover, reports: ‘Global fi shing capacity could catch the happen,’ he says. world catch four times over.’ Consumers can help by choosing to eat only sustainably Modern technology, like radar and vast nets, mops up fi sh. sourced fi sh and by pressurizing governments to set sen- So-called ‘bottom trawling’, which drags nets along the sible quotas and then enforce them.

To join the campaign, visit http://endoftheline.com For guidelines on what fi sh to eat, visit the Marine Stewardship Council: www.msc.org

Biodiversity 17 The BIG ideas Martin Jenkins Struggle for existence

Almost everyone agrees that the world at the start of Central to this notion was the struggle for existence. All the 21st century is not in great shape. Many sober- individuals competed with others of their own and other minded scientists argue that we stand on the brink of species to survive and reproduce. Individuals varied in how successful they were depending on how well they were environmental catastrophe, with only a decade or two adapted to their environment. Some of the reasons for this to put our house in order, or face the consequences. variation lay in characteristics that could be passed on from How we respond to the challenges – climate change, one generation to another. The best adapted individuals deforestation, pollution, overfi shing to name a few – naturally tended to have more offspring than the less well depends not only on our political will but also on our adapted, so that gradually individuals with particularly scientifi c understanding of how the world works. In the successful traits would become much commoner in the population. The others would eventually die out, having been past two centuries two scientists have played a huge out-competed by their more successful relatives. part in improving this understanding. One has had such a profound impact on the way we think that it is hard to One conclusion from this was that extinction was natural; imagine how people saw the world before. The other, it was a fact of life. Another was that all living species, much more recent, presented ideas that many people, including humans, were the descendants of now extinct including many scientists, still fi nd hard to grasp, but forms. We were just another species, subject to the same rules as all other living things (including the possibility of which may have an even more direct bearing on what extinction), something that many people with strong religious we should be doing in the face of environmental crises. convictions fi nd hard to accept to this day.

Charles Darwin and the descent of man (1859)

Throughout history, people have held marvellously varied views of how the world came to be, how old it is, and of how humans and other living things fi t into it. For all their variety, many of these worldviews had quite a lot in common. It was generally believed that after some phase of creation, and perhaps some catastrophic upheavals – such as the biblical fl ood – the world settled down to be essentially unchanging. The same kinds, or species, of animals and plants were believed always to have existed in a world that was probably only a few thousand years old and that had always looked very like today’s. Of all parts of creation, man (it’s almost always man, not woman, or humankind) was the most important, usually made in the likeness of god or the gods and having dominion over the rest of creation. Everything else was essentially there to serve, and we could do what we liked with it, within limits.

Advances in geology and biology in the 18th and 19th centuries, culminating in the revolutionary work of Charles Darwin and his contemporary Alfred Russell Wallace, changed that forever. From the study of rock strata and the fossils they contained, it became clear that the world was older than usually believed – perhaps much older – and that at different times different species had been present, very many of which had become extinct. From this, and their observations of the natural world, Darwin and Wallace concluded that species were not fi xed entities, but that over time one could evolve into another, or several others. The mechanism that drove this evolution was

natural selection. Gary Haq

18 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 Gaining acceptance

Many conventional scientists have had huge problems coming to terms with this idea. They could not see how the biosphere could behave as a self-regulating entity and still obey the laws of physics, chemistry and biology as they understood them. In particular, they could not square the idea with Darwinian notions of natural selection acting on essentially selfi sh individuals. However, Lovelock and his colleagues have used simple models, most famously Daisyworld – a planet populated by two kinds of daisy – to show that it is perfectly possible for organisms behaving in a normal Darwinian way to have a Gaia-like effect. With the help of Daisyworld and other models and studies, the Gaia hypothesis is gaining ground, Bruno Comby, Creative Commons although it still meets with some resistance. James Lovelock and the Try as hard as we can ascent of Gaia (1979) Lovelock’s view is very unsentimental. He believes that The world seen from the point of view of Darwinian natural Gaia looks after itself with no concern for any particular selection is a pretty tough and individualistic place: its components or individual species, including us. He also arg- central idea can be taken bluntly as a combination of ‘every ues that Gaia is struggling to maintain itself in its current creature (or plant or alga) for itself’ and ‘adapt or die’. state in the face of a concerted onslaught by us humans, Thanks to Lovelock and his colleagues, we are beginning chiefl y through increasing greenhouse gases but also through to understand that this is not the whole story. They have our many other environmentally destructive actions. In shown that rather than merely adapting to and reacting to particular, he thinks that the models used to predict how the changes in their environment, living things themselves play world climate will change in the next century, with a gradual a vital part in moulding that environment, and do this on a increase in temperature proportionate to the increase in planetary scale. greenhouse gases, are fl awed and simplistic because they do not adequately take into account the kinds of interactions Lovelock fi rst began to realize this when he compared predicted by the Gaia hypothesis. the composition of the atmosphere of Earth with that of nearby planets, particularly Mars and Venus. From a strictly Lovelock thinks that unless drastic action is taken very quickly, chemical standpoint, Earth’s atmosphere is very peculiar and Gaia will almost inevitably move towards a new stable state, unstable, particularly in containing a signifi cant proportion of with global temperatures about 6°C higher than today’s. What that highly infl ammable gas, oxygen. It has long been known evidence is emerging from actual observations – notably of that any signifi cant amount of oxygen in the atmosphere sea-level rise and the rapid decrease in summer Arctic ice – is entirely thanks to the action of living things, namely certainly seems to support his view that the climate is changing photosynthesizing organisms such as plants and algae. much faster than conventional models have predicted. He But Lovelock pointed out that the precise concentration of is not optimistic that we can alter our behaviour quickly enough oxygen was pretty nearly ideal for living things: any higher to halt the slide to a much hotter planet but, like many people, and destructive fi res would continually break out; any lower he thinks that is no excuse not to try as hard as we can. and oxygen-breathing organisms (the great majority of living things) would not be able to function.

It is not just the composition of the atmosphere that is maintained at an ideal level: Lovelock argues that through Martin Jenkins, author of The World geological history the global temperature has remained more Atlas of Biodiversity, is a consultant constant – and at nearer the optimum temperature for life to the UNEP World Conservation – than would be expected if the Earth behaved as a passive Monitoring Centre. physical object. He has concluded that the entire biosphere – the atmosphere, the world’s seas and the upper part of the Earth’s crust, along with the ecosystems they support – behaves in some ways as a single living entity that tries to regulate itself to maintain conditions as ideal as possible for the kinds of life present at the time. Following a suggestion from the writer William Golding, he named this world-system

Gaia, after the Earth goddess of Greek mythology. Bud Andrews/UNEP/Topham

Biodiversity 19 eld-research experience. eld-research Gista Rukminda, Indonesia Gista Alex Hirsch, United States of America States United Hirsch, Alex ed and measured vegetation. We also We vegetation. ed and measured

ed wildlife, monitored species population and monitored ed wildlife,

Biosphoto/M Gunther/Still Pictures Gunther/Still Biosphoto/M Biosphoto/C Ruoso/Still Pictures Ruoso/Still Biosphoto/C up close Pandas the giant panda for protect in China to WWF has worked that the Minshan region in I joined a project decades. preserving while giant panda habitat on restoring focuses My job was to people. of local and livelihoods the culture and newsletters. edit reports pandas, protect to strategies about a lot I learned their habi- between corridors including reconnecting by human activity, and been blocked that had tats manage resources to capacity people’s local strengthening sustainably. up, during a photography see pandas close I did once hon- I feel experience. It was an unforgettable workshop. this help protect to the chance been given have to oured beautiful animal. Wild knowledge that it hasn’t much life with so islands teem Indonesia’s summer, around Every catalogued. been thoroughly even department at Bogor the forestry from 70 undergraduates protected visit one of Indonesia’s University Agricultural focus The students data. biodiversity help collect to areas eco- maintaining to important species on lesser-known and rare small mammals, birds, especially balance, system insects. medicinal plants, and Kalimantan. West I was at Betung Kerihun National Park, identifi We density, and identifi traditional collect to indigenous people local interviewed medicine, about uses of plants and animals for knowledge and fuel. food that uni- information yield up-to-date Student explorations use, while can organizations and conservation versities fi important people giving young

Biosphoto/N-A Petit/Still Pictures Mcphoto/Still Pictures Pterocarpus Tan Sijie, Singapore Tan Nigel Chitombo, Zimbabwe Nigel Chitombo, YOUTH IN THE FIELD YOUTH nding sustainable ways to meet them is crucial. ways to nding sustainable ) for fuel and to carve sculptures to sell to to sculptures carve fuel and to ) for 7 No 3 Vol ty has forced many people in my community of in my community many people ty has forced TUNZA angolensis Pover Three for one for Three harming resources, natural overexploit to Falls Victoria cut down example, for often, They biodiversity. local teak (African mukwa tree the endangered By day, we planted 1,000 mangrove trees along the banks along trees 1,000 mangrove planted By day, we with much-needed and helped locals of the Setiu River, human to related is often loss Biodiversity building work. needs, so fi turtles hatched newly watching moments were But the best the sea. them to the sand, and releasing from emerging needs a helping hand. Sometimes, nature Last summer I led eight Rover Scouts from Singapore Singapore from Scouts eight Rover summer I led Last help WWF conserve in Malaysia to the Setiu Wetlands to ground nesting an important are The wetlands turtles. and terrapin species, the painted endangered two for experienced eggs, an spotted When we turtle. the green them in a incubate to dug them out carefully WWF ranger and pollution. poachers from protected hatchery Hatching turtles beaches, the sea lit by the moon. Imagine walking sandy not people. turtles, but from appears, of footprints A trail their eggs. treasure: to them leads Following My message is: ‘Taking from nature is not enough, we must must is not enough, we nature from is: ‘Taking My message back.’ give In 2007 I initiated a campaign to increase community community increase to a campaign In 2007 I initiated so here, new is relatively biodiversity The term awareness. walks nature storytelling, like approaches I used accessible cut, you tree every ‘for planting, using the slogan and tree in local competitions drawing I also organize plant three’. a play. produced schools, and have tourists, who also buy the fur and ivory of poached animals. who also buy the fur and ivory tourists, 20 The forgotten kingdom Kate de Mattos-Shipley

Wong Teck Hong/UNEP/Topham

ungi – an estimated 2 million species including loss has killed millions of trees and is believed to be a major mushrooms, toadstools, yeasts and moulds – form factor in the decline of forests. Fa forgotten kingdom of life, often overshadowed by more conspicuous and celebrated plants and animals. Fungal species in Europe – and most likely elsewhere – are Though often associated with decay and disease, they themselves declining catastrophically, even suggesting that are an enormously diverse and vitally important group of a mass extinction is under way. Understanding the threats to organisms without which the giant ecosystem we call home fungi, and how they can be protected, is essential if this is to could not function. be reversed.

They are best known as the yeast for bread and fermenting With each species lost, humanity loses sources of potential beer, or the wonderful collection of mushrooms and truffl es new medicines, chemicals and food, as well as links to the that tantalize the taste buds. But such services are just a hint food webs and ecosystem processes that are essential for of what fungi really provide. clean water, clean air and healthy ecosystems. Fungi may not look too good on a poster, but without them the human They are vital in medicine, producing some of the top-selling race could not – and would not – exist. antibiotics, including penicillin. They also provide drugs to control cholesterol, to stop rejection of transplanted organs and to help with childbirth. And now, the morel, long prized FACTS ON FUNGI by cooks, is being studied for its pain-relieving and even cancer-curing properties. Unlike most animals and plants, which have only two genders, some mushrooms are known to have over 28,000! We’ve all been warned about eating poisonous mushrooms, but actually they cause fewer deaths than bee stings or For every human on the planet it has been estimated that lightening strikes. And some of their toxicity can be usefully there are more than 2 tonnes of fungi. harnessed as biocontrol agents against specifi c insect pests. The largest organism in the world is an Armillaria ostoyae, or Fungi also provide nature’s own recycling plant. Without them honey mushroom, in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon everything would be buried under piles of animal and plant – a fungus the size of 1,665 football fi elds. Experts estimate it remains. In fact they will decompose any organic matter to be at least 2,400 years old, but it could be 7,200. – whether a cardboard box, paint, a leather jacket, jet fuel or even the TNT used in explosives – and offer huge potential The Jack o’Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius), like for cleaning polluted land, even of radioactive waste. fi refl ies and some marine bacteria, is bioluminescent. People have even used the mushrooms as lights. Between 80 and 90 per cent of plants rely on symbiotic fungi to break down their food for them. But these fungi are being Kate de Mattos-Shipley is researching fungi at the University harmed by air pollution turning soils acidic; their resulting of Bristol, United Kingdom.

Biodiversity 21 invasive 7 species Invasive species are the second most important threat to biodiversity, after habitat loss: 80 per cent of all the world’s endangered species are thought to be threatened by them. The problem is as old as travel itself: rabbits, which originated in Spain and Portugal, were spread around the Mediterranean by Phoenician traders 3,000 years ago. Many alien species were deliberately introduced to new habitats, but modern trade and transport have vastly increased the pace and range of this biological pollution. Species arrive as stowaways on planes, boats, in cargo and especially in the ballast water carried by tankers. A comb jelly

Fisheries in the Black Sea collapsed in the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the arrival of a small, attractive marine creature, Leidy’s comb jelly from the western Atlantic. A voracious consumer of plankton, it can double in size in a day, grow to maturity in two weeks, and then produce 8,000 offspring daily. By late 1988 – less than a decade after it fi rst arrived – a single cubic metre of Black Sea water could contain as many as 500 jellies; in all, the sea contained about a billion tonnes of them and most of the fi sh that made up the sea’s traditional catch had disappeared. Introducing a particular plankton has now helped control them, but they have also hit the Caspian Sea.

R Dirscherl/WaterFrame/Still Pictures A mosquito

Used tyres have spread the disease-carrying Asian tiger mosquito round the world from its native Southeast Asia; it now inhabits Europe, both Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East, though surveillance programmes in Australia and New Zealand have managed to stop it becoming established there too. It travels as eggs, larvae or pupae in the small pools of rainwater that accumulate inside tyres carried around the world in ships, and can transmit a host of pathogens including yellow fever, west Nile virus, dengue fever, St Louis encephalitis and chikungunya fever.

Biosphoto/Eritja Roger/Still Pictures A knotweed

At home in eastern Asia, where it is naturally controlled by other species that evolved alongside it, the Japanese knotweed is treasured. Its stems are eaten as a spring vegetable, it is used as a laxative in herbal medicine, and its fl owers provide important nectar for bees at a time of year when little else is out. But abroad in Europe and North America – where it was introduced as an ornamental plant – it is a menace. Able to grow 3 metres high in just a few months and so tough it can sprout through pavements – it quickly forms dense thickets, stifl ing other plants on which insects depend, and damaging buildings, fl ood defences and drainage systems.

WILDLIFE/D Harms/Still Pictures

22 TUNZA Vol 7 No 3 An ant

Hide your i-Pod! Lock up your computer! The ‘crazy Raspberry ants’ are coming. The tiny reddish-brown ants – which get their name from their fast, random movements and an exterminator called Tom Raspberry who fi rst noticed they were a problem – are spreading through Texas after arriving on a cargo ship, nobody knows from where. They are not attracted to ant baits and are immune to over-the-counter poisons. Most remarkably, they head for anything electronic and eat its insulation, knocking out computers, electricity meters, burglar alarms, telephone exchanges, even a sewage works, and are now heading towards NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

www.epestsupply.com A mussel

It may only be the size of a fi ngernail, but the zebra mussel causes $5 billion worth of damage every year in the United States alone. The striped molluscs spread by attaching themselves to the bottoms of boats, including leisure craft, crossing seas and making their way across land when the vessels are moved on trailers. Originally from lakes in south- east Russia, they now plague North America, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain and other countries. In moderation they are benefi cial, removing pollution as they fi lter feed. But with each female producing up to a million eggs a year they quickly foul boats, clog up pipes, block water intakes and stifl e other underwater life. Wolfgang Poelzer/WaterFrame/Still Pictures A snake

Sometimes it travels in the wheel well of aeroplanes, some- times in ships’ cargo holds, but the brown tree snake is a particularly destructive stowaway. Native to northeast Australia and Papua New Guinea, it fi rst arrived on the Pacifi c island of Guam as a result of US military operations after the Second World War. Since then it has driven to extinction all the island’s breeding seabirds, 10 out of its 13 species of native forest birds, two out of its three indigenous mammals, and six out of its 12 lizard species. It is now spreading to other vulnerable Pacifi c islands and has reached as far as Japan, Singapore, Spain and the United States of America. Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species/CGAPS-Hawaii A starling

Starlings are only mentioned once in Shakespeare, in Henry IV Part I. But that one line was responsible for a continent-wide invasion. In the late 19th century a group called the American Acclimatization Society introduced the birds mentioned by the bard into the New World. A hundred starlings were released in Central Park, and quickly spread. Now there are some 200 million of them, competing with native species, harming crops and shorting electric power lines with their copious droppings. But as an article in The New York Times concluded: ‘It is not their fault that they treated an open continent much as we ourselves did’.

Ashley Cooper/Still Pictures

Biodiversity 23 ‘I choose the happy life, do you?’

That’s the title 9-year-old Ludmila Balovneva (left), from Novosibirsk, Russia, gave her painting (above) – a weeping planet encircled with smoke, or a smiling Earth encircled with fl owers. ‘Where I live, everything is polluted,’ said Ludmila. ‘There is broken glass and rubbish everywhere. And the trees get cut down. I wanted to depict two ways of developing the world. The clean

UNEP way and the dirty way. It’s about the future.’

Ludmila’s picture was the overall winner of the 18th International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment – organized by UNEP, the Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, Bayer and Nikon – which attracted a record 2.4 million entries from children in 89 countries. The winners were unveiled at the Tunza International Children and Youth Conference in Daejeon.

‘What we see in these paintings is that children are aware of the challenges facing the planet,’ said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. ‘Given the opportunity, they can contribute to solutions. We can all learn a great deal from the insight children have about our world and our responsibility.’ Get painting!

The theme for the 19th competition, also announced in Daejeon, is Biodiversity – to mark 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. Entries may be submitted to the UNEP regional offi ces up to 15 April 2010.

For more information see: http://www.unep.org/tunza/children/inner.asp?ct= competitions&comp=int_comp&int_comp=19th