Implementing the Convention on Bioligical Diversity
“You only respect what you know!"
Six years experience of GEO Magazine andGerman Development Cooperation (GTZ)
supporting the CEPA –Initiative
24 h bio-observation marathons and “biodiversity lobbying”
- worldwide -
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Born as „Bioblitz“by O.E. Wilson, since 1999 by GEO
• 24 h Biomonitoring in limited region (mountain, island, PA,..)
• Assessment of local area, anywhere possible, 2nd week of June
• No record-making – but raising people's consciousness forbiodiversity in front of their doorsteps
• Experts + Local communities, schools, museums, environmental groups, media, politicians
• one main Partner / year: NP Agencies, Counties, Private Sector, Research Institutions, DB
• Europe : over 2500 events, 20.000 people in the movement,supported by GEO with guidelines, results in Sept. edition
• since 2001 concept adapted by GTZ
“only what we know and understand we will value and protect”
The B-Day
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
some impressions
B-Day 2001: Colombia, Villa de Leyva, 9./10. JuneDiversity unifies people across borders
Partners
• ‘Instituto Humboldt’, research institute providing scientific and technical support to the Colombian Ministry of the Environment
Actions
• German-Colombian expert symposium on "200 years of biodiversity research: Colombia -Germany"
• 24-hour inventory of biological diversity in the surrounding of the Andes Region and in replanted mining dumps of the German Ruhrgebiet.
2001Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
ResultsBiodiversity-monitoring and knowledge-exchange
• Exchange of information on existing initiatives between German and Colombian scientists and development institutions at the expert conference
• Making Colombian CHM meaningful to Colombians
• Identification of new areas of cooperation inthe field of biodiversity and promoting sustainabledevelopment
• 20 Colombian, German and Swiss school classes performing an inventory of biological diversity examining flora and fauna in the Andes Region with the support of scientists
• Internet bridge: Exchange and discussion of the survey’sfindings in Colombia and Germany on the Internet via the website of GEO‘s children‘s magazine GEOLINO
• B- Days repeated yearly since 2001
2001Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
B-Day 2002: Province Yunnan, China, 7./8. JuneBiodiversity and Traditional Knowledge
Partners• Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity (CBIK), a Chinese non-governmental organisation (NGO)
Actions• Preparation workshop with local communities • Extensive inventory of biological diversity along a profile of different types of landscape
• A forum of experts focussing on indigenous and traditional knowledge – with local communities
2002Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
ResultsBio-monitoring
• Participation of three different ethnic groups in the inventory of biodiversity (Lisu, Malimassa, Tibetan) and exchange of different traditional knowledge about biological diversity and its use.
Traditional knowledge about biodiversity
• Preparation workshop in local villages on “Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity”: Exchange between ethno-botanists, forest and nature conservancyexperts, ornithologists, entomologists, anthropologists as well as regional authorities, local chiefs and farmers.
Public Relations
• Journalists und a Chinese filming team joined the inventory of biodiversity.
• Link between cultural and biological Diversity became an issue to media andpublic discussion
2002Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
B-Day 2003: Manaus, Brasil, 20.-22. MayBiodiversity and Poverty Reduction
– Possibilities of a Sustainable Development –
Partners
• GTZ-Projects in Brazil
• Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM)
• Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA)
Actions
• Bio-inventory in the urban area of Manaus: Campus of the university,botanical garden, „Area Protegida do Puraquequara“ and at a militarydrill ground at the outskirts
• Scientific conference on “Sustainability and Biodiversity in the Amazon”
2003Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
ResultsBio-monitoring und Awareness Raising
• Presentation of the territory for biodiversity conservation and it options for sustainable use in the urban area.
• Numerous local discussion events togetherwith the local population on urban
biodiversity conservation
Public Relations
• TV-reports of the bio-inventory at two different German broadcasts (3sat “Nano extra" and in “TV Cultura”)
• Reports and articles in different journals and newspapers of the international print media: GEO-Germany, GEO Spain; In Brazil: Horizonte Geográfico, Jornal do Brasil, O Globo
2003Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
B-Day 2004: United Nations, New York, May/JuneA Series of Events focussing on Biological Diversity
Partners
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Equator-Initiative (EI)
• Permanent German Mission to the United Nations
Actions
• Photo-exhibition “Focus on Nature“ and ”People-Forests-Development“located in the visitor lobby of the UN-Headquarter
• High Level Plenary discussion in the Permanent German Mission to the United Nations, in New York, focussing on
"Learning from Community Action: Biodiversity and theMillennium Development Goals“with presentation of three Equator-prize winners
2004 Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
ResultsPublic Relations and Awareness Raising
• Approx. 100.000 visitors to the photo exhibition: US school classes, national and international tourists.
• Awareness raising on the issue of biological diversity with numerous international decision-makers: 3600 employees from 161 nations working at the UN-Headquarter, a great number ofparticipants of the conferences and delegates of the UN-Commission for Sustainable Development.
• Biodiversity mainstreamed as important developmentissue at the German Mission to the UN
2004 Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
B-Day 2005: Mali, “Falaise de Bandiagara”, 4. JuneThe Land of the Dogon, an Oasis of Biodiversity
Partners
• Ministry of Environment of Mali
• Mission Culturelle de Bandiagara
• German Development Service (DED)
Actions
• Inventory of biological diversity and ecological quality of the cliff of Bandiagaraand the neighbouring Dogon plateau
• Expert round table and panel discussion in Bamako on “Biodiversity in Mali”
2005 Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
ResultsBiodiversity-monitoring and knowledge-exchange:
• Exploration of the “Falaise de Bandiagara” by 100 scientists, politicians, environmentalists, journalists, Dev. Community, traditional Dogon healers,hunters and farmers (in total more than 1000 local people)
• Exchange of ideas and experiences about biodiversity and the use of genetic resources for herbal medicine,
• Discussion of possible concepts and measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Land of the Dogons from the perspective of modern science as well as traditional knowledge
• Awareness raising and sustainable tourism identified as a key to the preservation of this unique and diverse flora and fauna
• ABS became an issue of politics
• 10 pages (German) GEO Magazine on linkage Biodiversity and Trad. Knowledge
2005 Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
B-Day 2006: Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve Honduras, 19.-22. May
Partners
• KfW German Development Bank
• Forestry administration of Honduras (AFE-COHDEFOR)
• Ministry of the Environment of Honduras (SERNA)
Actions
• Media Workshop on Communicating Biodiversity (with 40 journalists from Germany, Brasil and Honduras)
• Public biological inventory of biological diversity of the Río Plátano Biosphere
• Contributions from all 5 ethnical groups, also at cultural festival
• Press conference in the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
2006
Media-Workshop, Bio-Inventory and Press conference
• Higher awareness of biodiversity issues communicated to 40 international journalists (TV, radio, print) from Europe, Brazil and Honduras) during the media workshop
• Increased public awareness for ‘own’ extremely high biodiversity and different cultural groups living in the biosphere
Results
• Excellent media coverage in Honduras for more than half a year
• BD gained higher political commitment in Honduras and Germany: participationof Honduran Minister of Environment, Air force General, German Ambassador;
• 5 pages In GEO (German) GEO Magazine on Biodiversity in PA
•CBD: “Communicating best practices”
2006
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
2007
B-Day 2007: Tam Dao Nationalpark, Vietnam, 19.-22. MayBiodiversity and Climate Change
Partners
• Vietnamese National Park Authority / MONRE
• WWF
• SCBD
• GEF SGP
Actions
• Bio-Inventory in the National Park with BD + CC Experts, Tam Dao
• Regional Symposium on Biodiversity and Climate Changein Hanoi (effects and impacts)
Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity
- at www.biodiversity-day.info
Communication
Education
Public Awareness