Welcome to Countdown 2010 in China!
Biodiversity matters. It underlies the health of ecosystems, it supports human livelihoods and well-being, and it is being lost at an alarming rate. In China, one of the world’s most biodiversity-rich countries, more than 27% of species are considered threatened.
It is more important than ever to stop the loss of this natural capital. Governments, including China, have committed to save biodiversity by 2010. The conservation community, in China and around the world, can help them succeed.
In China and around the world, the challenge of saving biodiversity must be met at all levels – local, national, regional and global. With clear priorities, knowledge and expertise, we can explore and apply approaches that prevent biodiversity loss while preserving livelihoods and supporting human development.
2010 is just around the corner. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we join forces for our common goal. IUCN’s Countdown 2010 initiative is an important tool to show that conservation and development are inherently linked. It provides a platform for organisations — governments, non-government organisations, and businesses – to join together to communicate the importance of biodiversity and to share ways to conserve it.
Congratulations and welcome to Countdown 2010 partners in China, and I hope to see even more join us in the future.
Dr Seth Cook
IUCN China Programme Coordinator
