Biodiversity and People

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013, Ariela Summit, Ecoagriculture Partners,   "The Youth Guide to Biodiversity" 1st Edition (Chapter 11) Youth and United Nations Global Alliance. Reproduced with permission.

Chapter 11. Verbatim.

Biodiversity conservation is impossible without the participation of everyone who impacts the ecosystem – from loggers who harvest forest timber, to consumers who buy food at the supermarket, to city governments who put restrictions on building in ecologically sensitive areas.

These stakeholders affect the diversity of the world around them, through conscious and unconscious choices they make (also see box: “Which Stakeholders Should Participate in Biodiversity Conservation?”).

Inevitably, we change the ecosystems we are a part of through our presence – but we can make choices that either affirm diversity or devalue it. 

For example, logging companies can choose to harvest timber in ways that sustainably thin forest cover, mimicking the actions of forest fire and making way for old growth trees.  

As consumers, we can  select local produce in the grocery store, supporting regionally appropriate varieties of fruits and vegetables. Local, national and international government structures that mirror the diversity of their populations are more likely to create lasting solutions to issues of food security, climate change and environmental degradation.

Which Stakeholders Should Participate In Biodiversity Conservation?

Stakeholders are either individuals, or representatives of a group, that have an interest, can influence or are influenced by a particular decision or action. To achieve sustainable development, the conservation of biodiversity requires the collaboration of various stakeholders including individuals, governments, private businesses, civil society, media, local communities and international organisations. Each group has an important role to play. None of these groups can stop poverty, achieve social equity, or reverse biodiversity loss alone. It is only when the groups work together that they can tackle these enormous challenges.

1. International Organizations keep biodiversity and development on the global agenda, and determine conservation plans based on global emergencies and priorities. The United Nations (UN) works closely with governments and civil society to ensure that principles are negotiated and agreed upon, and that funding and support are provided to those who need it most.

2. Governments can regulate their economies so that they consider economic impacts on people and the planet. Governments develop management tools and regulations, create and implement conservation policies, and designate protected areas (e.g. national parks, community reserves, forest reserves, zoological reserves and hunting reserves).

3. The private sector can produce goods and services that serve people and the planet. It can provide “patient capital”, a type of long-term funding available to start or grow a business with no expectation of turning a quick profit. Unlike standard business funding that often expects short- to medium‑term profitability, patient capital recognises that the benefits to people and the planet can take much longer. 

4. Civil society comprises ordinary people, citizens’ groups and includes children and young people. Civil society organisations are generally non-governmental, non-profit oriented, non-military and non-individualist. They vary from large-scale professional international organisations, like the World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to local community groups like indigenous groups or your neighbourhood association. Civil society organisations represent the interests of different groups, from people using natural resources, to local communities dependent on ecosystem services, to flora and fauna and their habitats.

5. Local communities living in and around protected areas contribute to decision‑making, and ensure that benefits arising from the use of biodiversity are equitably shared. 

6. The media are the “mediators” between the people, governments, private sector and other actors. The media transfer information, raise awareness, and sometimes lobby for or against government or private sector decisions. Some media companies specialise in conservation issues such as the National Geographic Society in USA and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the United Kingdom.

7. Individual consumer choices affect the market. Individuals should be conscious of their choices about clothing, housing, travelling, eating and other things. 

If you think you don’t impact the planet, think again!

Society is made of individual acts.