UNEP developing new science-policy platform to protect biodiversity - 12 Jun 2010  
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The conference co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the South Korean Environment Ministry concluded on June 11 with the governments in attendance agreeing to the creation of a new mechanism to help stop the unprecedented decline of biodiversity and ecosystems by linking scientific research more closely with government policy.

South Korean correspondent (F): This past week here in Busan, South Korea, delegates from 97 governments and 50 organizations gathered to establish a new panel to protect nature: the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (or IPBES). 

Achim Steiner – Executive Director, UNEP (M): We are seeing tipping points, not just in theoretical scenarios anymore; we are witnessing them in the real world.

Correspondent (F): Wildlife species and ecosystems are being destroyed at an alarming rate. As a result, it is estimated that humans have already lost over 60% of nature’s benefits, and instead are now suffering the impacts of this loss including food shortages, floods and landslides.

Dr. Harold Mooney - Co-chair of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (M): Biodiversity brings us clean water, climate control, disease control, pollination services. These are fundamental building blocks to our life, our human well-being, and they’re declining.

Correspondent (F): The new Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services will be comparable to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (or IPCC), which helped to raise global warming to the top of governments’ agenda.

Dr. Harold Mooney (M): The impact of human activities on biodiversity is influencing feedbacks to the climate system. So, they’re both interrelated.

Correspondent (F): A leading driver of both global warming and biodiversity loss is livestock raising, which emits harmful gases, pollutes the environment, and destroys habitat.

Just prior to this event, a UNEP-supported report urged a necessary shift away from animal products in order to minimize the worst climate impacts.

Achim Steiner – Executive Director, UNEP (M): Production of livestock, in particular meat products, is an enormously intense one in terms of consumption of resources. Therefore, the panel is saying that, yes, let us change our lifestyles. Reducing meat consumption is part of the solution in a world with soon 9 billion people.

Correspondent (F): At the conclusion of the 5-day meeting, UNEP and the South Korean Environment Ministry arranged for an organic vegan lunch to be served to all participants and journalists, along with an informative guide on the plant-based diet benefits for the environment. Loving Hut vegan restaurant was the official caterer of the eco-friendly meals.Reporting for Supreme Master Television, from Busan, South Korea.

VOICE: Our heartfelt accolades,United Nations Environment Program, South Korea and all conference participants for your dedicated efforts leading to this new initiative to protect the natural world we depend on. May we swiftly unite in action, especially the most powerful conservation measure of organic plant-based living.
http://ipbes.net/news-centre.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/09/france-japan-ipcc-for-nature