The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) present their most recent publications on the linkages between climate change and biodiversity
      The secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) launched their respective new scientific publications on the linkages between climate change and biodiversity at a side-event held in Nairobi on 16 November during the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The two publications aim to provide Governments and the public at large with useful information in support of their decisions and actions,
      As efforts to conserve nature face the mounting challenge of the human impact on the climate, as well as other well-known pressures from the consequences of mankind’s increased demands on the planet, climate change and its direct and indirect effects is rapidly becoming a crucial aspect of the work of both conventions.
      The CBD Technical Series No. 25 - Guidance for Promoting Synergy Among Activities Addressing Biological Diversity, Desertification, Land Degradation and Climate Change (TS25) (http://www.biodiv.org/doc/publications/cbd-ts-25.pdf) was introduced by the Minister of Environment for Finland, Mr. Jan-Erik Enestam. The Minister emphasized that, in addition to achieving the 2010 target on biodiversity loss, the aim of European development cooperation is to support the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UNFCCC, adding that “it is necessary to act now to conserve biodiversity”.
      In presenting the publication, which lays out a framework for designing, implementing, and monitoring adaptation projects that includes biodiversity considerations, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said “the Convention will not be implemented by Governments alone, it needs the citizens of the world, the youth, the women, the parliamentarians, the local governments – everyone.” He added that: “Finland has been funding activities related to the linkages between biodiversity and climate change since 2002, which shows real foresight and a true commitment to our planet.”
      In order to achieve the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the report stresses the need for synergy in implementing the commitments adopted under different multilateral environmental agreements. It concludes that maintaining biodiversity allows ecosystems to provide goods and services while societies adapt to climate change, and that enhancing the resilience of an ecosystem—its ability to maintain its functions after natural or human disturbance—is an essential component of this adaptation. Careful planning and implementation of these activities is needed to slow down the rate of biodiversity loss in the face
of climate change.
      Also present at the side event was Professor Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner. She stated, “A tree is its own ecosystem, when you have a forest you have that ecosystem multiplied a million times” and further added that “the word “biodiversity” is really in my heart.”
      The CMS/UNEP publication Migratory Species and Climate Change, presented by Robert Hepworth, CMS Executive Secretary, highlighted the importance of maintaining a coherent network of “stopover” sites and of collating the requisite information on such sites when addressing conservation priorities. He called for quicker delivery of adaptation measures. Underlining the beneficial impacts of ecotourism, he observed how wildlife can pay for itself and support communities.
       Paola Deda, CMS Inter-Agency Liaison Officer, gave an overview of CMS publication on the impacts of a changing environment on wild animals. Among the impacts she highlighted were: changes in distribution and behaviour; changes in length, timing and location of migratory routes; and disturbances and changes in migration routes and feeding locations.
      The two secretariats were also joined by Taye Teferi, of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Eastern Africa, who discussed impacts of extreme climate on wildlife tourism and livestock in the Mara river basin ecosystem in Kenya.
      In an effort to achieve the 2010 target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by that date, the two conventions are also exploring the current status of knowledge on climate change and biodiversity. They both stress the need to explore ways to identify political and technical solutions to ensure that ecosystems, species and their habitats continue to fulfil their roles in the global web of life.