Poverty reduction through biodiversity conservation is a concept that focuses on ecotourism and natural resources-based programs to provide income for impoverished areas with the intention of creating a sustainable living environment for these communities. This may not be an idea that you have ever thought about, but I personally like that there are opportunities for me to merge both of these aspects (poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation) into a future career. It is my hope that this discussion will open your mind to the many positive differences that a career in a natural resources-related field can make for individual communities without the limitations of having to work towards the ‘bigger picture’ of world conservation.
The concept of merging biodiversity conservation with poverty reduction is supported by a multitude of government agencies, non-government organizations, and UN agencies across the world. The Nature Conservancy, The Jane Goodall Institute, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International (CPALI), and A Rocha are just a few well-known organizations that list goals in both sustainable living and biodiversity conservation. The Poverty and Conservation Learning Group (2010) provides a list of 141 organizations and 33 initiatives that merge poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation. Ideas such as sustainable development, improvement of human well-being, environmental preservation, and conservation all seem to be common themes within these organizations’ goals. But the question is why don’t we hear more about the good being done by these many organizations to reduce poverty and conserve biodiversity?
Like with any type of project involving community participation, there are going to be challenges. Programs focusing on poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation need to have plans that are complex if there is any hope for long-term success and follow-through. However, the likely reason for not hearing about such amazing possibilities is that the work being done to reduce poverty is merely a by-product of biodiversity conservation in these organizations’ initiatives. With conservation programs that are successful, community involvement is a requirement. Without community support, conservation initiatives are doomed from the start. These organizations have found that community involvement can be used as a tool to accomplish their intended outcomes as the people are in need of income and jobs anyway. It also helps that ecotourism has become the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry in the last decade (Agrawal and Redford, 2006). Organizations such as the ones listed above have found ways to improve the lives of individual people while supporting the goals of improving the ‘bigger picture’ when it comes to biodiversity conservation. Now you should be asking yourself, as I am, what other sort of differences do we have the opportunity to make as students going into natural resources-based fields?
It seems like such an amazing opportunity to be able to help our world in more ways than just saving plants and animals. We can really make a difference for the world’s people too, and do it by using the skills we have gained as students in natural resources-related programs. I couldn’t possibly explain all of the opportunities we have, but I encourage all of you reading this blog to seek out the possibilities you have for future careers. If you are not satisfied with the difference you may be making, know that there are many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of real people. You are not limited to purely focusing on the ‘bigger picture’ when it comes to conservation. You can help the ‘bigger picture’ and see progress on an individual community scale while improving the well-being of real people. Open your mind to the possibilities. God Bless!
References:
Poverty and Conservation Learning Group. (October 2010). “Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction: who, what, and where?”. http://povertyandconservation.info/docs/20101015-PCLG_Directory_5-10-2010.pdf (Accessed on February 17, 2011)
Agrawal, A. and K. Redford (March 2006). “Poverty, development, and conservation: shooting in the dark?”. WCS Working Papers No. 26
2 comments:
Kyle, This post is very intruiging and makes me want to know more about the specifics of these organizations. It is inspiring to think that while conserving biodiversity we may also be helping those in poverty. Is it through the jobs and revenue of ecotourism that this is accomplished? Are there some solid examples that you could provide links to for more information? Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Yes, jobs and revenue through ecotourism is the focus more many programs trying to reduce poverty through conservation. However, it is not the only possibility. The term 'poverty' is difficult to define. Money is sometimes not even the deciding factor. To create a sustainable living environment is the most important goal. The Jane Goodall Institute (http://www.janegoodall.org/cc-landing), for instance, focuses on the aspect for many of their programs. -Kyle George
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