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Preserving Ecosystems and Human Well-Being
(October 7, 2004) -
How many ecosystems does our planet hold? How do these living
spaces contribute to human well-being? How can recognizing them
help stabilize the world population, curb excessive consumption
of natural resources, and support the development of the poorest
countries?
The Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems
(PAGE) done in 2000 by the World Resources Institute unequivocally
found that  the
planet’s ecosystems are sharply deteriorating due to population
growth and consumption. Concrete action must therefore be taken
to halt these negative effects. "We need a scientific
understanding of how ecosystems function and have to help political
and economic policy-makers assess the long-term consequences of
the decisions they vote for," said Angela Cropper,
president of The Cropper Foundation, at the launch of the new
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) program.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is an international
joint effort to take an inventory of the planet’s health.
Launched in 2001, This project starts out with the premise that
ecosystems produce indispensable materials and services for basic
needs for food, water, species and habitats, and regulate the
conditions of human well-being. The four-year project is costing
US$21 million.
Over 1,500 scientists, policy-makers, conservationists
and government representatives are working on the project with
the World Resources Institute, the World Bank, the United Nations
Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme.
Various techniques and methods whose value has already been proven
in ecology, economics, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, law
and political science are being used to analyze the results.
A few months before publication of the final report, Cropper will
explain how so far the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment has made
it possible to support initiatives that establish a direct link
between the services provided by ecosystems and human well-being.
Other specialists are also invited to talk about a few preliminary
findings of the assessment at today’s plenary session, Unhealthy
Planet: The Collapse of Ecosystems, from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.
in the Ballroom.
Photo: Teacher's
Guide, Natural Resources Canada, 2002.
Denise Proulx
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