When looking for best examples of communications about Biodiversity, I came across this visual created by Julia Diel, a student of The Offenbach Academy of Art and Design (Germany). I think this striking image summarises well the risk we are facing with regards of biodiversity losses!

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

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?

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

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