Widening perspectives on biodiversity

Abstract

It is perhaps symbolic, and certainly appropriate, that a conference of this importance should begin with a talk that aims at “widening our perspectives on biodiversity”. An attempt to widen perspectives on biodiversity is, in my opinion, long past due. All of us at this conference recognize the importance of biodiversity. We all want to enjoy and to conserve our resources, yet biodiversity has somehow become an issue that “environmentalists” claim for themselves. Our goal, however, should not be to take the issue away from environmentalists, but to ensure that more voices from more constituencies are included in the discussion about biodiversity. This is a precondition for a more effective approach to the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of the potential benefits of biodiversity. But where do we begin? The topic of this conference is forbiddingly broad. And consider the subtitle: “Proposals for Action.” This further complicates matters. To act successfully we must think past the individual subject matters within the complex sciences of biotechnology and consider the other multiple sciences and social and economic factors that affect biodiversity. We must also, I dare suggest, step outside the province of science itself. Biodiversity is not a purely technical and scientific issue. For concrete and effective proposals for action, we must think in an all-encompassing way that invokes both traditional concepts of human culture and development, and those of environmental stewardship, which in my view are not two opposing principles, but complementary ideals that should guide the creation of our vision of the future and the steps we take to reach it.