issue 81 NEWSLETTER : CONTENTS >> > Sébastien Winkler - Together to save Biodiversity – can Ecsite biodiversity by 2010 page 02 institutions make a difference? Leon C. Braat - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services page 05 The Convention on Biodiversity has been signed by 192 countries since its promulgation in 1992 (Rio de Helen Roy - Engaging people Janeiro). Ten years later, governments adopted the in monitoring biodiversity Biodiversity Target, aiming to reduce the loss of page 06 biodiversity significantly by 2010; the wording Morten DD Hansen - Synergy in “halting the loss” was even more popular. Now we natural history - an unconventional are in 2010 and what do we see? Very limited approach to web 2.0 positive change. Governments worldwide have failed page 08 to meet the Convention’s aims and Targets. Voices are heard, that currently advocate for rescheduling Listings the “halt the loss” target for 2020. page 10 It is no big surprise that such a pitiful state of affairs leads some people to think “are they kidding?” or News from Ecsite worse: “those folks – governments and scientist page 11 alike – are not serious, they cannot be trusted.” If we want the motto “save biodiversity” to be more Courses, conferences and competitions than a communication slogan – or even a political page 12 call to rally interest – it is key that science museums and science centres take a strong lead in providing a clear language and narrative. Our visitors should find Citizen science projects such as that on ladybirds described by the answers to such fundamental questions as Helen Roy on p6 play a crucial role in engaging the public on “what exactly is biodiversity?”, “why should I care?” biodiversity and most of all “what can I do?” The understanding of the issues by our citizens is central to the issue. this newsletter, hot topics include how to depict all the They need – and have the right – to be properly aspects of biodiversity, its levels of organisation (gene informed, so they can understand, want to act and to species to ecosystem and biosphere); to the play their social role. That is to be able to put the menaces hanging over it; to demonstrate the services importance of this issue into the way they influence that are delivered by sound ecosystems; to tackle the their leaders and decision makers, notably the social and cultural aspects included in biodiversity – choices they make when they vote! and its loss. And last but not least, to engage people Within Ecsite this topic is taken ever more seriously. in biodiversity promotion: from tiny daily acts to large It is not by coincidence that the 2009 Annual scale monitoring and conservation actions. Conference saw the birth of Ecsite Nature Group. We as science centres and museums have a pretty This new group aims to encourage cross-fertilisation good knowledge of the general public and are more between science centres, science museums, natural aware of the issues than most. This brings an ethical history museums, research institutions, universities, responsibility, but also new opportunities to position Ecsite Executive Office aquariums and zoos. The Ecsite Nature Group has ourselves to promote biodiversity for the benefit of T +32 2 649 7383 already more than 70 members. If you are interested mankind. F +32 2 647 5098 in joining the group, just send an email to Aliki email: [email protected] Giannakopoulou at [email protected]. The Bob Bloomfield (Natural History Museum, www.ecsite.eu Group will hold its second one-day workshop on the London) & Gérard Cobut (Museum of Natural Newsletter contributors: 2nd of June, before the Ecsite Annual Conference Sciences, Brussels) Please contact Michael Creek, Editor 2010 in DASA, Dortmund, Germany. Guest co-editors of this issue of the Ecsite [email protected] For the Nature Group as well as for the authors in Newsletter on behalf of the Ecsite Nature Group 01 BIODIVERSITY Countdown 2010 is a global project of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Sebastian Winkler, head of the Countdown 2010 Secretariat and Senior European Policy Advisor, tells us more about this initiative and how to get involved. Together to save biodiversity by 2010 There is broad international consensus on the our natural heritage is importance of biodiversity as the very foundation protected and conserved and of life on earth. In 2002, governments adopted the contribution of local the Biodiversity Target to significantly reduce the actors can be crucial to make rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 as a contribution a difference. Community to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life groups, museums, non-profit on earth. Although progress has been made at organizations, local international, national and regional level, the governments and companies 2010 target will not be achieved according to have joined efforts to reduce recent assessments which show that global biodiversity loss in the biodiversity is still in decline. For instance, the Countdown 2010 network. recent findings of the Red List of Threatened Hosted by IUCN Regional Office for Pan-Europe, 2010 network builds on the multiplying potential Species™ of the International Union for Countdown 2010 brings together almost 1,000 of its partners; civil society organizations, science Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that partners which committed to individual actions centres and museums, but also municipalities and species threatened and at risk of extinction towards the 2010 biodiversity target. In just about regions, spread the biodiversity message to their worldwide are 22% of the world’s mammals; five years, Countdown 2010 has become one of audiences thus boosting the outreach capacity of nearly one third of amphibians; one in eight birds; the largest multi-stakeholder networks for the initiative. Using this approach, Countdown 27% of reef building corals; and 28% of conifers. biodiversity and the 2010 challenge. 2010 aims to reach the greatest number of This continued loss is leading to a rapid decline of people possible during the IYB. the Earth’s natural wealth and a dramatic The year 2010 is the International Year of reduction of future ecosystem services. Biodiversity (IYB) and an unprecedented There are some great examples of what opportunity to position biodiversity higher on the Countdown 2010 partners are doing for the IYB. Policy alone is not always enough to ensure that agenda of global decision-makers. The Countdown In the United Kingdom, the Natural History Museum of London has launched the IYB-UK - a partnership of around 300 charities, farmers, local councils, wildlife rangers, schools and colleges, zoos and museums and botanic gardens. Their IYB programme includes talks, exhibitions, public debates, art work, citizen science experiments and exhibitions encompassing both science and the arts. In Belgium the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) has prepared its plan for the IYB. Activities are targeted to families, schools, scientists, professionals and others and will take place throughout the year. In particular, the campaign ‘I give life to my planet’ invites individuals and groups to take small actions to make a difference in their area. The free booklet ‘366 acts for biodiversity’ supports the campaign, proposing biodiversity tips for every day of the year. Countdown 2010 supports its partners by promoting their activities for biodiversity and communicating them to a wide international The signature of the Countdown 2010 Declaration, Brussels Capital region, 16th March 2009 audience through the well-established channels of 02 BIODIVERSITY Countdown 2010 Partners’ Assembly 24 June 2009 IUCN. In the network, partners can share their experiences and get inspired by the others. The COUNTDOWN 2010 DECLARATION local actions of a small community can become a Biodiversity – the web of life on earth – is essential to the quality of human well-being, and it is a crucial model for biodiversity conservation. element in sustaining the social, economic and spiritual dimension of all societies worldwide. Yet, biodiversity continues to decline. Political commitments have been made to stop this trend by 2010. Further steps need to Countdown 2010 is also a point of reference on be taken to honour this commitment and to translate it into action. biodiversity policy and the IYB in Europe and We the undersigned will take every practical opportunity to: beyond. On the website, partners and other interested parties can find information about Support the commitments to halt or significantly reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, made biodiversity and its benefits, but also about the by: latest developments in legislation and on the • World Environment Ministers in the Hague Ministerial Declaration of the Conference of Parties to the future of the 2010 biodiversity target. The year Convention on Biological Diversity in the Netherlands 2002; 2010 is a crucial year for biodiversity policy: in • World Heads of State in the Plan of Implementation at the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable October 2010 a new target for biodiversity will Development in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002; hopefully be adopted by world governments, • World Heads of State in the United Nations World Summit Outcome in New York 2005; following the discussions at the High-level • A number of biodiversity related conventions and regional processes since 2001. Segment on biodiversity of the United Nations Encourage decision makers at all levels, in both the public and the private