Bringing The Forest To The People: The Respect Journey

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. Christine Gibb, CBD and FAO. Verbatim.

RESPECT exhibit at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada.

© Boreal Communications

Ontario, Canada in the winter.

© Jim Ross/Boreal Communications

RESPECT team members: Chris Young (photojournalist),

Louise Larivière (chef-de-mission) and Tomi Grgicevic

(videographer).

© Boreal Communications

Ontario lake and forested shoreline.

© Chris Young/Boreal Communications

Images tell stories that might otherwise not be heard. Cameras record life’s moments, both momentous and mundane; photos evoke emotions, questions and answers. The power of photography to tell a story is central to RESPECT, a modern-day odyssey that brings the boreal forest to the people. It is one example of the creativity and passion people bring to raising awareness about the beauty, fragility and even brutality of biodiversity.

The RESPECT journey began in Quebec, Canada and took the team of photojournalists through Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon in a small Cessna plane between 2006 and 2009. The going was tough – from turbulent weather and adverse flying conditions to unexpected interruptions and delays for equipment repair. Throughout the crossing, the team was constantly awed by the majestic landscapes of the boreal forest and its fragility; they took in breathtaking views few have had the privilege to see.

The aerial photography, however, has been viewed by millions of urbanites and tourists at several major outdoor cultural centres across Canada. 

Conclusion

As we’ve seen in this and in earlier chapters, humans are closely linked to biodiversity, through our use of biological resources and our impact on the natural world. The choices we make can have a huge impact on the current and future state of biodiversity. The next chapter takes a closer look at the decisions taken at the international level and the outcomes of these actions. 

 Learn more:

:: Boreal Communications: www.borealcommunciations.com 

:: Dodds, Enayati, Hemmati and McHarry. 2002. Multi-Stakeholder Processes for Governance and Sustainability. Beyond Deadlock and Conflict. London: Earthscan. 

:: FAO and gender: www.fao.org/gender/gender-home/gender-programme/gender-equity/it 

:: Hill. 2004. Yalanji Warranga Kaban: Yalanji People of the Rainforest Fire Management Book. Queensland: Little Ramsay Press. 

:: Howard, P. L. (ed.) 2003. Women and plants. Gender relations in biodiversity management and conservation. London: Zed Press; and New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 

:: International Energy Agency: www.iea.org 

:: McNeely and Scherr. 2001. Ecoagriculture: Strategies to Feed the World and Save Wild Biodiversity. Washington, DC: Future Harvest. 

:: Slow Food International: www.slowfood.com