2010 is the UN Year for biodiversity conservation.  From 18th to 29th October there was a meeting of the countries that have signed the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)  that aims to strengthen international initiatives to conserve the biodiversity of life on the Planet (see http://www.cbd.int/cop10/)

As a lead up to the meeting the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the results of a study to investigate the status of the world mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fishes.  Not unexpectedly, the study has found that the decline in the world's biodiversity continues, with, on average, 50 species a year moving closer to extinction (i.e. from a category of lower risk of extinction, to a category of ciritically endangeeree, endangered (threatened) or near threatened.

But I was also heartened to read that conservation efforts ARE making a difference. 

Grace Boyle of the UK-based Independent posts the reflections of Akhila Vijayaraghavan , a campaigner on Sustainable Agriculture  for Greenpeace in India.  (http://community.livejournal.com/rainspotting/2949.html)  Akhila writes of the reactions of people in India to the threat of global warming, “Public perception of this is varied from apathy to mild interest to outright support. The last category forms the smallest percentage – the apathy is most worrying. Consequences of global warming – the biggest battle that humankind faces barely brings a reaction to many people in India – surprisingly even the so-called informed young crowd.” 

Last month I was involved in four submissions to various plans and discussion documents around the Waikato region; this month I am involved again presenting oral submissions.  Each written and oral submission involves time and thought; time to read the documents, time to formulate and express one’s thoughts about the document; time to attend to the hearing.  All of it is unpaid.  I do the work not as a paid lobbyist, but as a volunteer who feels committed to the environmental health of the region.  Cumulatively, it amounts to many hours of time and effort.  Is it worth it?

Research Project: Sustainable Development and Long-Term Council Community Planning, 2008.  A Work Placement Report by Carla Hemmes

The Faculty of Arts and Social Science has recently introduced a new Work Placement paper, FASS 396 which is open to 3rd year students.  It involves 80 hours in a workplace setting and a report based on the work experience.  Carla Hemmes of the Geography, Tourism and Environmental Planning Department, completed her work-based paper at Hamilton City Council in 2008.

The topic of her paper was the concept of sustainable development and how this can be demonstrated in the process of developing Long-term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) under the Local Government Act 2002.