Recently, Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) was invited to the “Arboreta Around the World: Share your knowledge on biodiversity” International conference on history, value and future prospects of arboreta in Italy. Dr. Zhou delivered a keynote speech during the discussion of the event’s panel on “In-situ and ex-situ conservation”.
Together for the future of biodiversity on the 150th foundation anniversary of the Royal Forestry Institute and Experimental Arboreta in Vallombrosa. Dr. Zhou joins with international colleagues, for the conference convened on 10-11, October 2019 in Firenze e Vallombrosa, Italy.
The conference included a series of panels focusing on different aspects of the work of arboreta. Each panel included a number of invited speakers to address the panel theme.
At the local time 11 October 2019, Dr. Zhou delivered a speech on the panel themed as “In situ and ex situ conservation”. His speech was themed as “The China Biodiversity Experience”.
Dr. Zhou first shared the ecological civilization thought. He said that human beings have experienced primitive civilization, agricultural civilization, industrial civilization, and ecological civilization. Humans are currently facing two major crises, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The incentives behind them are inseparable from our production lifestyle, and we need to change our way of life. If we are still in the era of industrial civilization, there is no way to solve these crises.
The background of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the change in human civilization. We should learn, understand, and form a unified action to resolve the crisis. Only with unified global action can we face the challenges of today and change.
Dr. Zhou shared more stories on CBCGDF’s unique CCAfa (China Conservation Area for species at somewhere) system through the practical cases species protection. It is an effective exploration of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) by a Chinese social organization. Its purpose is to work with all sectors of society to promote biodiversity conservation, including the protection of wild migratory species.
Promoting the connectivity of species habitats and promoting the formation of ecological corridors is of great significance for maintaining the health of species and providing critical ecosystem services. Joining more stakeholders to participate in biodiversity conservation (especially at the community level) is important for driving the Aichi Target and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that will be produced next year.
The CCAfa system has Chinese characteristics and aims to protect biodiversity, natural environment, humanities resources, encourage and support local volunteers, civil society organizations and communities to join, with public participation protection as the core, and share the deeds and experiences of public protection and promote mutual assistance and promotion of protection forces. Practice shows that this innovative system has strong vitality and influence. It has pioneered the promotion of a nationwide system of protected areas by social organizations and has a profound impact on biodiversity conservation. Up to now, CBCGDF has established more than 130 CCAfa sites in Inner Mongolia, Tangshan City, Tianjin City, Shanghai City, Ningbo City, Tiaozini in Jiangsu Province, Baiyangdian in Xiongan New Area, Xinjiang and other provinces and autonomous regions, covering the dark and starry sky and ancient trees, cultural relics, deserts and wetlands, endangered plant species Acer pentaphyllum, Przewalski's gazelle, Baiji dolphin, great bustard, spotted seal, pangolin, etc.
During the event’s break, Dr. Zhou exchanged with the attendees and panelists. Stayed tuned to more coverage at the conference.
(Photo credit: georgofili.info)
(Photo credit: CBCGDF)
By / Maggie