WWViews

Against the backdrop of global processes of change in the environment, society and politics, the UN Decade of Biodiversity (2011-2020) is bringing biodiversity-related issues more into focus at an international level. In order to preserve biodiversity, it is essential that everyone is aware of the value of biological diversity and acts accordingly. The global citizens “dialogue ‘WWViews on Biodiversity’ therefore set itself the goal of sensitizing citizens to complex ecological and socio-economic interrelationships and involving them in the development of solutions for the protection of biodiversity. In the run-up to the 11th Conference of the Parties in Hyderabad (India), around 100 people came together at 34 locations in 25 countries around the world on September 15, 2012. The German Citizens” Dialogue took place at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. The participants discussed biodiversity in general, land use conflicts in the establishment of protected areas, marine conservation and equitable benefit sharing. The Independent Institute for Environmental Issues was responsible for the methodological support and moderation of the process. The results showed that most people are aware of biodiversity and are concerned about its loss. Protected areas – including on the high seas – were seen as an important instrument for the conservation of species. The expansion of agricultural land was viewed critically by citizens in both developing and industrialized countries. In addition, many participants expressed their interest in being more closely involved in discussion processes on the protection of biodiversity. The results of the global citizen dialog “WWViews on Biodiversity” were presented to the delegates at the Conference of the Parties in India in October 2012. The Secretary-General of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, promised to incorporate the views of citizens into discussions on global biodiversity policy.