Archive for U.N. biodiversity
UN Biodiversity Conference to target demanding yet achievable goals
Posted by: | CommentsThe currently ongoing U.N. Biodiversity Conference is being followed by many analysts as a benchmark overview of the current state of affairs with us and our environment. Although the conference lasts two weeks in total a headline is already been made by the head of the program who has declared:
“We are destroying life on Earth”
While such a statement will certainly make the lead story it’s the gathering of data behind the conference that really needs to be shared by all. In layman’s terms I find some of the statistical aspects hard to argue yet the combined effect of our impact on the environment does not make for easy reading whatsoever. Amongst early discussion at the conference has been the cited fact that we are currently looking at the worst extinction rate since the dinosaurs came to the end of their reign. Of equal concern (although I have no idea how they measure this) is the UN estimate that global environmental damage equated to some $6.6 trillion in 2008, or if you prefer a more ghastly approximation the equivalent of 11% of global GDP.
Devestation to the Amazon rainforest
The difficult template trying to be established at the conference is how to organize and implement the ideal measures to protect or even restore all facets of our damaged ecosystem. Simultaneously of course nations the world over are riding out the most fragile economic conditions seen in a generation and will scream long and hard that funding is in short supply and designated for more immediate needs. Meanwhile our forests and oceans continue to suffer at our hands whilst our population continues to grow. The conference includes delegates from almost 200 countries who will be tasked with setting new targets for the year 2020 as the 2002 working model had pinpointed this year as the time of measurement. In an unsatisfying case of déjà vu the number one reason used for failure to meet the prior standards was also based on fiscal difficulties.
One key debate remains around the fact that developing nations feel more funding should be provided by more mature economies in an effort to protect nature. Many of the environmental key spots such as Brazil, central Africa and Southeast Asia are doubly challenged by being located in developing nations. All the best intentions will come to no fruition without adequate finances to implement them successfully, leaving the ongoing concern that financial limitations could create a bottleneck when it comes to progress. Greenpeace meanwhile in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund are insisting that adequate areas of land and ocean are set aside to remain unspoiled. Nathalie Rey from Greenpeace explains:
“If our planet is to sustain life on Earth in the future and be rescued from the brink of environmental destruction, we need action by governments to protect our oceans and forests and to halt biodiversity loss,”
The conference will hopefully make some tangible inroads so that the 2020 targets are both possible but also will receive the backing necessary to see them completed. Debates also linger over the pharmaceutical industry and how and when scientists can use genes from plants and animals in the same fragile regions of the world. Observers feel that these resources could provide a significant boost to those poorer economies and may be used as a negotiation tool to bridge the divide between developed and developing nations which could result in more being accomplished. I’ll post a follow-up piece after the UN conference to review just what agreements are made.
Tags: budget for the environment, cost of environmental damage, Nathalie Rey Greenpeace, planet forward, protecting ecosystems, rainforest protection, reports from UN on biodiversity, U.N. biodiversity, UN Biodiversity conference, United Nations biodiversity, world wildlife fundEdward Norton’s newest U.N. role may be his most important yet
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Almost everyone watches films on occasion and many seem to catch the latest new releases seemingly every week. From time to time an actor comes along who seems to just stand above the crowd such is his or her ability to dominate a film or take a role to unimagined heights. While I don’t think the last generation has brought along a Pacino or a De Niro I think Edward Norton has the ability to go down in that sort of company if his career keeps finding the roles that bring out the very best of his talents. The 40 year old actor has a long film resume but it is his work as a conservationist that is gaining equal billing in recent years.
This has never been more apparent that the news that Norton has now been named the U.N. goodwill ambassador for biodiversity. After his appointment Norton was naturally thrilled with the opportunity:
“It is an issue that I’ve been engaged with on many different levels for a number of years, but it’s very, very exciting to be asked to engage with it on the level of the U.N. with its incredible capacity and reach.”
He explained how his new role will move away from traditional methods of conservation that are having limited success as the emphasis shifts to looking more deeply at human needs which directly lead to the requirements of conservation action in the first place.
“People have recognized that fragmenting the ecosystems or creating protected pockets is not actually authentic to the way ecosystems work,”
Norton has been involved in many causes most recently Crowdrise which seeks an easier way to engage the public in performing or sponsoring charitable work. His interest in environmental issues is more than a celebrity gesture as his activities have been juggled with his film career for many years. His new appointment will make that balance ever more precarious but he seems willing and able to give as much of himself to the U.N. position as possible:
“Increasing people’s focus on the fact that human well-being is intertwined fundamentally with biodiversity, I think catastrophic events like what’s happening in the Gulf with the oil spill do highlight for people that there is enormous ramification for human well-being through a loss of biodiversity,”
As with many actors he has now taken his talent to film-making and his own Class 5 films is actively pursuing making future works that focus on environmental topics in addition to those already completed.
2010 is the United Nations international year of biodiversity. When you take the time to explore their website and learn far more about the many initiatives the U.N. supports the scope is quite breathtaking. The website itself is very informative and the far-reaching designs of the U.N. to combat negative environmental impact is inspiring. If Edward Norton can help make the project be known in more households throughout the world this can only be a good thing in my opinion.
To learn more about the U.N. biodiversity platform please visit here
To learn more about Crowdrise please visit here
Video of Edward Norton appointment
Tags: al pacino, crowdrise, ecology, Edward Norton, edward norton conservation, edward norton UN, edward norton UN role, gulf oil spill, planet forward, robert de niro, U.N. biodiversity, U.N. goodwill ambassador for biodiversity, United Nations
