DEAR COUNTDOWN 2010 PARTNERS, DEAR READERS |
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It is with great pleasure
that I am writing my first editorial for the Countdown 2010
update especially during the International Year of Biodiversity
– a unique opportunity to bring the biodiversity crisis
closer to the attention of world leaders and also the general public.
The
Countdown 2010 Secretariat was delighted to welcome its
1000th partner in February – Eurogypsum, the European
federation of national associations of gypsum products manufacturers.
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The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement signed by 175
countries to strive to ensure that international trade in wild animals
and plants does not threaten their survival. CITES’ decisions are
legally binding and are accompanied by enforcement measures and sanctions.
The Convention includes more than 30,000 species of animals and plants.
> Read more |
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CITES and biodiversity conservation |
Unsustainable trade in wildlife is one of the central threats to
biodiversity as it concerns thousands of plant and animal species,
and can push them close to extinction. This issue affects a wide
range of live animals and plants as well as a vast array of products
derived from them, including food, fur, leather goods, musical
instruments, timber, tourist souvenirs, perfumes, and medicines.
> More information
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CoP15: more cooperation needed |
The 15th Conference of the Parties to CITES was held on in Doha, Qatar, from 13 to 25 March
2010. According to Sue Mainka, Head of IUCN's delegation to CITES the CoP "has highlighted the
challenges facing this convention as one of the many existing agreements for managing
commercially important species sustainably. However, the decisions taken at CoP15 should
stimulate further evolution of CITES including development of tools and mechanisms needed
to support efforts to achieve sustainable management of natural resources."
> Read more |
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Bluefin tuna still in trade
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Expectations of a ban on the international trade of bluefin tuna were
unmet after the rejection of Monaco's proposal to include this species
in Appendix 1 of CITES. The European Union supported the ban and tried
to delay its implementation for a year until the results of a review on
the status of bluefin tuna carried out by the International Commission
for Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) are available.
> Full story
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DO IT YOURSELF |
The sparrow is bigger than the sparrow |
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The European Commission launched a new campaign aimed at stopping the loss
of biodiversity in the EU. This innovative EU-wide communication campaign,
which coincides with the UN's designation of 2010 as the Year of Biodiversity,
should raise awareness about the problem through a website, a viral clip,
PR actions, street art and slots in print media and social media.
The main thrust of the
campaign will be to show citizens the real implications these losses will
have in their daily lives, with a focus on actions citizens can take to
prevent such losses. The campaign revolves around a slogan - "Biodiversity.
We are all in this together".
Spread the message!
> Read more
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STATE OF BIODIVERSITY
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Habitat loss blamed for more species decline |
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Habitat loss is having a serious impact on Europe's butterflies,
beetles and dragonflies. The release of the European Red List,
commissioned by the European Commission, shows that 9 percent of
butterflies, 11 percent of saproxylic beetles (beetles that depend
on decaying wood) and 14 percent of dragonflies are threatened with
extinction within Europe.
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Read more
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FOCUS ON |
First ever Pan-European cartoon series for kids on the environment
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Business Solutions Europa is
one of the partners of a new animation project on environmental issues.
The project will help 5 to 8 year olds understand some of today's most
important issues including water conservation and climate change.
> Full story
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My Friend Boo website
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TOWARDS A NEW BIODIVERSITY TARGET |
Healthy biodiversity is no luxury - it's the
foundation of all life on Earth |
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We have failed to meet the target adopted through the Convention on
Biological Diversity to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010
and we are currently witnessing the greatest extinction crisis since
dinosaurs disappeared from our planet 65 million years ago. Urgent
action is needed to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences,
both for nature and for people around the world.
> Read IUCN position on the post-2010
targets
> Hear
Sonia Pena Moreno on the CBD targets |
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LOCAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES |
What do you know about eco-labelling and certification in your
community? |
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In the framework of the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity)
D2 Report which focuses on local authorities, the Countdown 2010
Secretariat would like to ask its local and regional authorities
partners to share their experiences on certification schemes.
Please take
two minutes of your time to answer to a short questionnaire. Click
here to start.
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Read more
> Questionnaire
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7 April 2010
How much for biodiversity?
(Brussels)
11-16 April 2010
International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010
(Melbourne, Australia)
18-20 April 2010
IUCN UK Conference: Nature – What’s in it For Me?
(Edinburgh, UK)
20 April 2010
Earth Day
(global)
23-24 April 2010
Wert und Inwertsetzung der biologischen Vielfalt
(Tutzing,Germany)
26-27 April 2010
The Great Escape, There is No Planet B!, Biodiversity Conservation, a
Natural Ally in Sustainable Poverty Reduction
(Amsterdam, Netherlands)
4-5 May 2010
Biodiversité, les mots pour convaincre, agir et valoriser nos actions
(Paris, France) |
