This visual was created in 2007 for a German campaign Schuetzt biologische vielfalt ( Protect biological diversity ) no longer available online….

“Biodiversity is considered a prerequisite for a functioning ecosystem, and human beings are only capable of surviving in such an ecosystem. The widespread extinction of species is thus a threat to our own existence. In general, however, people have yet to realize this. This campaign is designed to change that. In order to speak especially to people with little interest in environmental protection, the threat is discussed in terms of society. Politics, sports, music, and entertainment all work—just as nature does—only thanks to the uniqueness and the diversity of their protagonists and the interplay between them. When these groups are stripped of their diversity, this demonstrates the fatal consequences such one-sidedness can have and how important it should be for the future to protect biodiversity.”

Source: http://www.hfg-offenbach.de/w3.php?nodeId=3927&pVId=99392232

Caroline Martinot

Full Article: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-awards-celebrate-ecological-business-practices-2027988.html

“Germany Takes Lead in Saving Ecuador’s Rainforest”

By Jess Smee

“Oil companies are salivating over the supply of black gold beneath Ecuador’s rainforest. The South American country is pledging to keep the oil in the ground — if the international community provides compensation. Now Germany has taken a leading role in raising the necessary cash.

There are many attributes which make the Yasuni National Park special: It is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, it is home to indigenous tribes which hunt and gather in its remote interior, and there’s a unique breed of small bat. But the national park also has a geographic curse: It sits atop Ecuador’s largest known oil reserve, thought to contain hundreds of millions of barrels.

And this potential fortune threatens its very future. In response, Ecuador has come up with an unusual plan to safeguard the UNESCO biosphere Reserve. The cash-strapped South American country has pledged to leave the oil in the ground forever — something unheard of among oil nations — if the international community compensates for some of the lost income.

The scheme, which was first mooted by Ecuadorian President Raphael Correa more than a year ago, got off to a slow start. By the end of the year the country extended its self-imposed deadline, in a last ditch bid to rally international support. Meanwhile, international oil giants were queuing to exploit the supply of black gold.

But now, all of a sudden, the ball seems to be rolling. Following a two-day visit by the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Fander Falconí to Berlin, Germany had positioned itself at “the forefront of the initative,” the Ministry for Economic Cooperation said.

However, officials urged caution on a newspaper report which said Germany would pay $50 million (€36 million) into a yet-to-be-established international fund. “There will be emphatically no financial promises. The conversation in the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development focused on the framework of the project and also on the efforts that Ecuador itself has to make,” Stephan Bethe, spokesman for the ministry, told SPIEGEL ONLINE.

He stressed that Ecuador’s idea had caught Berlin’s imagination: “It offers a new approach to rainforests and, from the perspective of development politics, it is very promising,” Bethe said. “Combining climate protection and fighting poverty will play a growing role in the future.”

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Falconí told the German daily Die Tageszeitung that Germany had pledged “the first significant contribution” to a yet-to-be-created international fund. The paper reported that Ecuador was pushing Germany to pay up within one month.

Hat in Hand

Ecuador estimates that by leaving the oil untouched, some 410 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be averted. Oil is Ecuador’s most important export, generating around a third of its income. With the value of the untapped supply under the Yasuni National Park estimated at some $6 billion, the country argues it has little option but to approach international donors, hat in hand.

Environmentalists welcomed the plan as a way to save Ecuador’s rainforest from destruction. Preventing forests from disappearing is a vital element in the fight against climate change as they absorb huge quantities of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Still, doubts lingered about the Ecuador model. Tobias Riedl from Greenpeace Germany’s Forest Campaign warned that the scheme was far from perfect. “It is a double-edged sword. While we welcome moves to save this unique environment, the fact is that all rainforests need to be saved, regardless of whether they lie on valuable natural resources or not,” he told SPIEGEL ONLINE.

“There needs to be a broader move with industrialized nations paying money into a fund to save these forests. Preservation of these bio-diverse areas comes at a price.”

Meanwhile, environmental groups are looking to the Copenhagen Climate summit in December which aims to hammer out a new United Nations accord to replace the Kyoto Protocols which expire in 2012. Riedl remained upbeat, despite mounting signs that worldwide climate negotiations are stalling: “We expect to see how the preservation of forests can be brought into a new climate protection framework,” he said. “That is a step in the right direction.”

But there is a long way to go. Greenpeace estimates that €30 billion are needed to secure the future of the rainforests worldwide. And with 80 percent of all ancient forests (including rainforests) worldwide already gone, the clock is ticking. And Ecuador knows it.”

Original article Spiegel Online, http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,631994,00.html
Author Jess Smeem Spiegel Online, 2009

The GREEN Consultancy was exhibiting at the first Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium yesterday, Tuesday the 13th at Excel, London, UK.

It was a fascinating regrouping of experts from all around the world who intended to draw awareness to environmental issues that our globe is facing, and will be facing in the future if proper measures are not taken. The outcomes of the Human Being’s actions are devastating to ecosystems. We must inform those not aware of this danger, and try to “convince” those aware of it to make efforts in order to make a difference.
Many ignore that “to make a difference” does not mean inconvenience, burden or higher costs.

Specialists, such as the CEO of Conservation International, the CE of Rio Tinto, the Chairman, Head, and former Special Representative of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and many others, covered different areas from the business world, including marketing, architecture, fashion, construction, agriculture etc. The general idea of the symposium was to bring awareness about the urgency for sustaining the natural living systems or ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services; to show how the problem of biodiversity is equally important to the one of global warming.
Who knows, maybe tuna will become a fish our grand children will not have the possibility to eat?

Strategic measures were suggested in order to promote awareness as well as change:
•    We should talk less about loss, and more about love
•    We should balance need and add action
•    Being “bold” when presenting our ideas is important
•    Always ask others what they want before introducing our needs
•    Use nature to inspire business; use biodiversity as part of business
•    Etc.

An interesting anecdote concluded the symposium:
Does anyone know what ecology means?
Ecology comes from Greek and means: the study of/understanding of home.
And does anyone know what economy means?
Economy comes from Greek as well and means: the study of/understanding of management.
So how can we manage our home if we don’t even know what our home is?

The GREEN Consultancy will be exhibiting at the first Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium, next Tuesday (13/07) at Excel, London, UK.

GREEN will take this opportunity to meet, share ideas, listen to experts and showcase our company and the coming Global GREEN Awards 2010. If you are attending the event, why don’t you come and say “hi“?

The Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium is an unique private-sector focused business and biodiversity conference, supported by Defra and BIS, will see the launch of the highly anticipated ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity’.
The United Nations have declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity.

For more information about this event, visit: http://www.businessofbiodiversity.co.uk

•    “Groundwater over drafting (excessive use) leading to diminished agricultural yields”
•    “Overuse and pollution of water resources harming biodiversity”
•    “Inadequate access to safe drinking water for about 884 million people”
•   ” Inadequate access to water for sanitation and waste disposal for 2.5 billion people”
•    “Regional conflicts over scarce water resources”

                                 Aral Sea (1973 > 2004, source: UNEP)

Water shortages are already beginning to constrain economic growth in areas as diverse as California, China, Australia, India and Indonesia.

Therefore water stewardship has become one of the top business CR concerns. 52% of the 96 of business leaders  surveyed by Ethical Corporation in 2010, rank water stewardship as one of their top five responsible business concerns.  99% of respondents believe that water will become more of a priority for businesses in the next five to ten years*.

In 2010 a poll** conducted by GlobeScan and SustainAbility, asked to 1,200 sustainability experts “What are the technologies or changes in behaviour which show the most promise for addressing water shortages over the next 10 years?”. The result is a list of 18 “best solutions to the global freshwater crisis”. Education is ranked as the first solution to this global crisis:

1. Education to change consumption / lifestyle
2. Water conservation technologies
3. Recycling / water treatment systems
4. Improved irrigation technologies / agricultural practices
5. Appropriate pricing / water rights markets
6. Energy efficient desalination plants
7. Water catchment / harvesting
8. Community-based governance / partnerships
9. Better government policies / regulations
10. Holistic management of ecosystems
11. Improved distribution infrastructure
12. Corporate water footprinting / sustainable manufacturing
13. International policy frameworks / institutional cooperation
14. Address pollution to improve quality of water
15. Public common resources / equitable access
16. R&D / Innovation
17. Water projects in developing countries / transfer of technology
16. Climate change mitigation
18. Population growth control

So, how do you actually educate people to saving water and change their lifestyle?  We have compiled below a sample of creative campaigns which have tried to achieve this goal.

The Surprise Effect

(Sukle Advertising & Design for Denver Water, US 2006)

The Cynical Alcoholic

(Beluga Bar Ad, Intercontinental, India 2008)

The “Yes we can”

(Our water, our future, Victorian Government, Australia 2009 )

The Shock

(Charity : Water, US -  UK  2009)

The Pragmatic (or The Good Excuse)

(Unknown)

The Good-Father

(Green Consultancy for Envirowise, UK 2007)

The Icky Ecologist

(Save water Flush less, Ogilvy for MTV Switch, US 2008)

The Creative

(Shorlisted for Best Press Ad, Best Outdoor, Best Art Direction GREEN Awards 2006,
Let's beat the drought together, Thames Water - Mayor of London, UK 2006)

*http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=6946
**http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2010/world/experts-name-the-top-19-solutions-to-the-global-freshwater-crisis/

Author: Caroline Martinot

The agenda includes political sessions and more than 50 workshops focussing on sustainable economic growth, employment and innovation, cross-cutting policy tools, sustainability and the governance of sea basins.

The Surf Rider Europe Foundation* will participate in the debates and will ask major European institutions to reaffirm at a European level their intention to defend the natural heritage of our environment and the values of ocean users.

They regularly launch campaigns to raise awareness of Ocean pollution and the need for sea life protection which are always supported by brilliant creative posters and ads, as preview below.

Once again the Independent requested Graham Lewis Creative Partner at Green to contribute to the feature. He was asked to produce 2 posters that could support the Take Back Parliament initiative and encourage a yes vote in favour of proportional representation.

See the results below ( Graham’s are the “loo roll” and “Churchill” executions ).

Commenting on the Loo-Roll poster Graham says::  “If your vote isn’t among the ones that get first-past-the-post you may as well flush it down the bog because it won’t count”

Last Monday, the Convention on Biological Diversity launched a new report: “Global Biodiversity Outlook”.

With no surprise the highlights from the report are that: “Natural systems that support economies, lives and livelihoods across the planet are at risk of rapid degradation and collapse, unless there is swift, radical and creative action to conserve and sustainably use the variety of life on Earth [...]massive further loss of biodiversity is becoming increasingly likely, and with it, a severe reduction of many essential services to human societies as several “tipping points” are approached, in which ecosystems shift to alternative, less productive states from which it may be difficult or impossible to recover.”

The Global Biodiversity Outlook will be a “key input into discussions by world leaders and heads of state at a special high level segment of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September.”

So what do the “world leaders” actually think about biodiversity? David Cameron for instance?

In a speech to the Wildlife Trust in April 2009, Cameron stated the importance of “making sure that our approach to development is consistent with developing biodiversity” and proposed a system of “conservation credits” whereby any cost to biodiversity, through building development, is compensated for by at least an equivalent investment in biodiversity elsewhere*.

Cameron’s proposition is based on the (relatively new) concept of Biodiversity Neutrality. This concept is based on the same principal and system as Carbon Neutrality: to measure, reduce, and offset/compensate the unavoidable (emissions) of biodiversity loss. And as with Carbon Neutrality, Biodiversity Neutrality has a sharp commercial pitch and a counter argument for each of its critics ( read them by visiting http://www.biodiversityneutral.org , and read this report).

I don’t want to be judgemental but this kind of speech demonstrates a dangerous simplistic vision of biodiversity which is the most complex system on earth.  Can “Cost to biodiversity” be really “compensated”?

I am not a biologist, not even a scientist  but my common sense makes me feel this Biodiversity Neutrality is the biggest hoax since…Carbon neutrality… By trying to artificially recreate the result of billion of year of evolution we’re playing the sorcerer’s apprentice. Are we capable of recreating biodiversity, to move ecosystems? Maybe yes, maybe no? Is that what we want for the planet? Personally? Definitely not!

I am not saying we should stop development projects, or that nothing should be done to protect and enhance biodiversity. Balancing biodiversity conservation must be a pre-condition at the heart of every kind of development project. In most instances placing biodiversity at the heart of a project should drive organisations to develop solutions that limit (prevent?) biodiversity impact so there’s no need to offset any loss in the first place.

Let’s hope Cameron has changed his mind on this subject since and that he’ll have some more serious propositions to present during his mandate

*http://www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2009/04/Cameron_sets_out_plans_to_improve_biodiversity.aspx

*****GREEN is an official partner of the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB)*****

Author: Caroline Martinot

Graham comments on his poster as “A succinct one-word headline using a clever corruption of Dave Cameron’s surname. We want people to understand the simple message that he isn’t fit for No 10.”

Click here to read the article and see the series of poster.