2010 - International Year of Biodiversity

altThe United Nations has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, making it a particularly appropriate year in which to stage the Congress. The Congress principle regarding the importance of a healthy environment to achieve healthy communities is a symbiotic dependency. This international focus on biodiversity in nature in 2010 will further enhance the significance of this relationship.

Throughout the year initiatives will be organized to disseminate information, promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage organizations, institutions, companies and individuals to take direct action to reduce the constant loss of biological diversity worldwide.

Countdown 2010 works at governmental level by monitoring countries’ responses to the 2010 Biodiversity Target and at local level by mobilising local actors that take concrete actions. In only a few years of activity, Countdown 2010 has been able to mobilize an increasing number of actors ranging from local authorities and businesses to civil society organizations.

With a powerful network of more than 900 Partners, Countdown 2010 is one of the leading initiatives mobilizing action for the 2010 Target. Through its wide and well-established network, Countdown 2010 will be a key global actor for IYB in Europe and around the world.

Countdown 2010 Partners will provide one of the main information channels and will be a major vehicle for reaching target groups worldwide.

Objectives of IYB

  • Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
  • Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
  • Engage an increasing number of people - Celebrate the achievements by governments and Countdown 2010 Partners
  • Report on possible failures to achieve the Target - Use momentum to trigger even more action for biodiversity
  • Begin to communicate the post-2010 target(s).    Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

    More information at: Countdown 2010 website

 

 

Join one thousand delegates at the inaugural International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010. This ground breaking event will explore the many ways nature and parks significantly contribute to our health and wellbeing.

Q & A with Dr Aaron Bernstein

Q & A with Dr Aaron Bernstein

Read our Q & A with Congress keynote Aaron Bernstein, MD, MPH. He is on faculty at Harvard Medical School and the Center for Health and the Global Environment. Along with Nobel Peace Prize recipient Eric Chivian, he co-authored 'Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity'. 

He discusses how to change human behaviour relative to climate change, a recent example of biodiversity's importance ot human health and a source of his bond wit...

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Priority list for improved health outcomes

Priority list for improved health outcomes

A new paper "Nature, Childhood, Health and Life Pathways" has suggested that active living policies need to be integrated into all aspects of public policy and has recommended a ten point priority list for improved health outcomes , many related to interaction with nature.

One of the paper's author's, Professor Jo Barton of the interdisciplinary Centre for Environment and Society - University of Essex, will be presenting at the Congress.

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