Biodiversity Conference wants European statement for Nagoya
"Biodiversity is about life. Nature serves us well and this needs to be protected". Joke Schauvliege, Flemish minister for Environment, Nature and Culture, and chair of the Council of Environment, doesn’t mince her words: the decline of biodiversity must be stopped. She hopes that participants of the European Biodiversity Conference in Ghent will also convey this message to the upcoming international summit in Nagoya (Japan).
Why is biodiversity so important?
Schauvliege: Biodiversity is the diversity of animals and plants. You can compare it to a huge and complex loom uniting animals, plants and people. If one thread is lost this can have untold consequences and – in the worst case - endanger the entire structure. It therefore concerns more than the ‘birds and the bees’. Biodiversity is about our lives.
We benefit from nature, also in the sense that nature serves mankind. We have to protect these ecosystem services. If a plant is required for a certain medicine or nutrient that is in danger of becoming extinct, then we need to take action. We must do this fast, because if we don’t end the decline of biodiversity, we as a society will pay the price later on. Also in a literal sense.
Take, for instance, the oak processionary caterpillar. This caterpillar has a natural enemy, the ichneumon wasp. If the ichneumon wasp were to disappear, the processionary caterpillar will have free reign and it will cost us a pretty penny to restrain them.
Thankfully, the government is increasingly cooperating with nature preservation societies, farmers, businesses, local authorities and other partners.
Heads of government from all over the world will be meeting up in Nagoya (Japan) in October to discuss biodiversity. What will exactly be happening there?
Schauvliege: At the 10th Conference of Parties of the Biodiversity Summit, the world will try to lay down a new vision, objectives and a strategic plan for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. The European countries made out a case to end the decline of biodiversity by 2001. This objective wasn’t met, despite considerable efforts.
This is a sobering conclusion, but 2010 is also the year in which the international community wants to confirm in Nagoya that we want to do better and will do better. Don’t forget that the loss of biodiversity often has even more serious consequences in developing countries (deforestation, desertification, etc.).
At the end of the conference, participants will formulate a ‘Message from Ghent’ for Nagoya. What do you hope this message will include?
Schauvliege: The EU has already determined its position in the council conclusions of 15 March, which has been confirmed in the 2020 strategy for Europe. The aim is high: Europe wants to put an end to the decline of biodiversity and ecosystem service by 2020, repair as much damage as possible and increase its contribution to combat the worldwide loss of biodiversity. As the EU chairperson for the Environment, I want to include this in the “Message from Ghent”, a European statement for Nagoya. This conference in Ghent gives all people concerned the opportunity to focus on the challenges, alternatives and solutions.
Do you in your everyday life also try to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity?
Schauvliege: Absolutely. Biodiversity is extremely interesting because it’s so tangible. It starts in your garden, your terrace, in the classroom, in a field, etc., with minor, sometimes unsightly, interventions. A butterfly bush attracts butterflies, a wooden wall is a paradise for birds just like a compost heap is one for insects. The great thing is that all these matters make children curious. However, biodiversity is equally much about buying local products. We are therefore confronted with biodiversity at any time of day.
