GNF Newsletter Poaching threatens rhinos in South Africa Since lately, very powerful transmitters with n Poaching threatens rhinos in battery are placed inside the horn, which si- South Africa gnals can be located via mobile phone (GSM) network. Therefore, a solar powered mobile pho- n Preface ne network will be established allowing the n Electrocutions, Greenwashing and observation of a rhino at any moment. Thus, GM Technology in Food helpers may intervene immediately if something 4 / 2011 n Federal Association of the German seems suspicious to them. Sporting Goods Industry joins EBBC Our partner, the Wildlands Conservation Trust (WCT), wants to constantly control every single n Siberian Cranes lack favored food rhino in South Africa. In January 2011, activities n E-Learning for lakes started in the Somkhanda Game Reserve, where n Hundred trees for centenary celebration two White Rhinos were killed before. Thanks to the new technology, no further incident has been n Living Lakes receives award of UNESCO reported so far. Now other Game Reserves must for the forth time be equipped with the same technology to stop In 2010, 333 rhinos were poached. n New faces at GNF poaching. The GSM system will be used on a total area of more than 1,000 square kilometres and n Organic vegetables instead are the reasons for the drastic decline. Due to costs are estimated to be over 300,000 Euros. of Nile Perch the high demand for horn in Asia, the estimated This investment is indispensable to sustainably n price of a rhino horn per kilogramme is currently Events protect the rhinos and stop the poachers. Dr. around 35,000 Euros. In 2010, 333 rhinos n Publications and Online-Information Roelie Kloppers, project leader at WCT: “If we were killed in South Africa, among them 10 succeed in protecting the rhinos, then we protect critically endangered Black Rhinos. This year, all wild animals in South Africa.“ 287 dead animals were found, 146 individu- uring the past 30 years, the world’s rhino als alone in the Kruger National Park. Since D population has declined by over 90%. transmitter collars for rhinos are not suitable, Once there were 30 different rhino species, special transmitters are placed inside the horn. You can support the project to save today only five species are left. In Africa, This absolutely pain-free technology has been rhinos in South Africa with a donation at: only White Rhino and Black Rhino are found. used for telemetry purposes (collecting sig- www.globalnature.org/Donations Poaching for luxury products and traditional nals with antennas) so far. But poachers are medicine, habitat loss and political conflicts active at night when there are no controls. particularly intriguing and encouraging was the ned species that are threatened with extinction Preface incredible diversity of pioneers and activists that through our own greed and development. The From the 28th November to COP 17 drew to Durban. This is a broad based perilous conservation state of our planets Rhino the 9th December I had the movement of individuals championing a mix of species demonstrates this. There is renewed pres- privilege of actively partici- social, economic and environmental issues. sure on these magnificent beast and there is a pating in COP 17. Coming Central to current debate was the role that water war being fought to protect them. Global Nature into COP 17 I had little will play in our collective future. It is clear that Funds efforts to support Rhino conservation and Dr. Andrew Venter appreciation for the signi- water is one of the key climate change drivers, to raise awareness about the increase in poaching ficance and complexity of the negotiations and either too much, resulting in flooding, or too is a very important part of an international cam- issues debated. I thought it was about the Kyoto little, resulting in droughts. In this context, the paign to save this species. Protocol and that the success or failure of COP 17 Living Lakes network has an incredibly important rested on securing the extension of this protocol. contribution to make. The work being done by the I now realise that it is about fundamentally chan- network partners represents water conservation, ging the way we live and behave, the evolution flood attenuation, ecosystem restoration and of a new global economy and reinforcing our sustainable development innovations happening custodianship of the blue planet and its green daily. In the meantime we need to deal with the Dr. Andrew Venter, Member of the services which sustain us – humanity. What was reality of protecting and conserving key threate- Board of Directors at GNF Electrocutions, Greenwashing and GM Technology E-Learning for lakes in Food The new GNF project Learning for Lakes is The European Business & Biodiversity To avoid greenwashing traps, a workshop on intended to offer advanced training - via Campaign (EBBC) started as an informa- NGO business cooperation was organized in multimedia - for lake managers addressing tion campaign and was running full speed Arnheim, Netherlands. Conclusion for NGOs: issues such as economic development in ahead with plenty of events this autumn. a cooperation should be based on mutu- lake regions, restoration of lakes and wet- The events aimed at increasing the private al confidence, business relationships must lands, involving communities, and coope- business commitment to the preservation of grow slowly over time. Two further events ration with agriculture and fishery. As a biodiversity. Selected industry segments at on this topic will be carried out in Spain result, an E-Learning tool will be jointly international and regional level were being and Eastern Europe in 2012. developed by the partners from UK, Germany, addressed. The aim of the campaign is not to Poland, Spain and Hungary. Learning for The European Business & Biodiversity Cam- point out the mistakes and wag the finger at Lakes is supported by the EU Programme paign is supported by the EU LIFE+ Pro- enterprises, but to initiate a dialogue among for Lifelong Learning. More information at gramme. The goal of the campaign is to them by means of pioneer enterprises. Based www.globalnature.org/LearningForLakes. underline the importance - also the eco- on best practice examples, dependences and nomic importance – of biodiversity and to effects on biodiversity are shown as well as arouse the interest of businesses in the ways of how to tackle these problems. active protection and preservation of species One of the focuses of the EBBC is the energy and ecosystems. Sustainability managers Living Lakes receives sector. In November, in cooperation with the and decision makers in leading positions can Spanish partner Fundacíon Global Nature acquire information on methods and tools award of UNESCO and the energy company Iberdrola, a first on how to evaluate impacts of economic taster workshop was organised in Madrid. activities on the biodiversity. for the forth time The participants discussed the issue of how Further information: Stefan Hörmann, to reconcile the necessary expansion of the LIVING LAKES has been recognized by the [email protected] electricity networks with biodiversity con- German UNESCO Commission as project for servation. Practical examples such as the the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable electrocution of snakes at transmission lines Development. Up to now 1,300 projects have or the collision of raptor birds with wind received this award, Living Lakes is one of turbines and a review of steps, companies fourteen projects that has been honoured for have taken against it provided an overview the fourth time consecutively. “Living Lakes of the most important biodiversity issues impressively demonstrates possible forms of the energy sector. More events for the of future sustainable education initiatives. industry sector are to come. The jury appreciates the project, because it understandably shows and encourages EBBC is also active at regional level. In the people to behave sustainably”, says Prof. German Swabian Mountains a conference Dr. Gerhard de Haan, chair of the national on genetic engineering and biodiversity in committee and jury of the conjunction with the pasta producer Alb- UN decade in Germany. Gold took place. The regional participants The award is destined to were informed how to produce GM-free and Workshop on genetic engineering and biodiversity initiatives implementing how to initiate measures to reduce or pre- in Trochtelfingen, Germany. exemplarily the ideas of vent negative impacts on species diversity this worldwide education and ecosystems. Further events for the food offensive of the United sector are planned for 2012. Supported by: Nations meant to convey- New cooperation opportunities for NGOs ing sustainable thinking arise from the increasing interest of busi- and acting to children nesses in sustainability and conservation. and adults. Federal Association of the German Sporting Goods Industry joins EBBC The Federal Association of the German business companies. The check is modelled check in their company. BSI was founded in Sporting Goods Industry (BSI) is coope- on the environmental management systems 1910 and comprises German Sporting Goods rating with the GNF. Goal of the BSI is to EMAS III and ISO 14.001 where departments manufacturers, importers and wholesalers. draw the attention of the member companies or processes of selected production facilities About 150 leading mostly middle sized to the importance of biodiversity and to or product lines are analysed in view of pos- businesses are members of the association, sensitise them on the protection of biodi- sible negative impacts and potential risks to among them international market leaders versity. Members have access to the biodi- species diversity. Different industry sectors such as Adidas, Puma, Asics, Fischer, Völkl, versity check that was developed by GNF for have already successfully implemented the Marker, Lowa, Vaude, Tatonka or Kettler. Organic vegetables instead of Nile Perch Focus of the three year project is on im- proving the organic vegetable cultivation and bee-keeping with the involvement of our Kenyan partner organisation OSIENALA.