The World Conference on Science Literacy (WCSL) is an international conference initiated and hosted by the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST). Themed as "Improve Public Science Literacy, Promote Global Anti-pandemic Effort", the 2020 World Conference on Science Literacy aims to share ideas, experience, and results of science-based anti-pandemic, discuss countermeasures and plans to respond to public health crises, further improve science literacy, promote the construction of international cooperation mechanisms, and improve the capacity of the global science and technology communities in coping with the crisis and challenges of major pandemics. It is dedicated to improving the ability of the global scientific and technological community to jointly respond to major epidemics and other crises and challenges and promote the global improvement of scientific quality in the post-pandemic era.
The "Science Literacy and the Construction of Ecological Civilization" thematic forum organized by the CAST and co-organized by China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) were held on November 18, 2020, in Beijing. CBCGDF also held 6 sub-sessions for enlarging the spread of scientific knowledge since November 16.
Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of Crop Trust brought us his insights on the relation among crop diversity, food security, and ecological civilization, at the sub-session “Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Sustainable Food System” held on November 23 with over 9,000 online participants. In particular, the content of Dr. Schmitz's speech is organized and shared with readers as follows.
Hello, my name is Stefan Schmitz, the executive director of the Crop Trust. It is an honor to have the opportunity to contribute to the celebration of the 2020 World Conference of Science Literacy, and I am grateful to you for joining me here. A forum focused on identifying pathways and urgent next steps to support the realization of a global ecological environment could not have come at a more critical time.
At the crop trust, when we talk about our mission, certain words arise frequently. Biodiversity is one such word, of course. One part of agriculture biodiversity, crop diversity is our reason for being. Food security is another frequently used phrase, as is conservation. The conservation of crop diversity is critical for food security. Another word that we use a lot is forever. Our mission is to safeguard crop diversity to support food security, for everyone, forever. Against the real state of our natural environment, with so much loss, destruction, and insecurity, the world forever seems a whimsical concept. But forever is another word for sustainable, and isn't it this concept of sustainability that brings us together, what we are striving for? The Crop Trust is laying the foundation for conserving crop diversity in perpetuity. By raising an endowment that will support key collections of crop diversity in Genebanks forever. And there is another “forever” when biodiversity is lost, it is lost forever. Food plants are among the biodiversity being destroyed in this ongoing global crisis.40% of plant species are facing extinction that includes the wild relatives of important crops. This loss is massive and irreversible. When we lose this biodiversity, we lose options, we lose resilience, we lose potential, we lose solutions. Crop Wild relatives might have the genes to help crops adapt to climate change, or new pests and diseases, for new tastes, colors, and textures. The causes of biodiversity loss are complex and many, and the threats are constantly evolving, and for how long will there be threats to biodiversity? Forever. To plan forever is bold. It takes courage and vision. Yet forever is the common goal that unites everyone at this conference. We are not fighting to save biodiversity for one decade or even one century. We need to conserve it forever. Conservation is not passive.
A commitment to conservation is a commitment to action. First, conservation takes knowledge, and this knowledge must be updated continuously. Second, conservation demands vigilance. Genebanks need ongoing maintenance, regular upgrades, reliable electricity. A single budget cut or lapse in management could mean the loss of diversity forever. Third, conservation means tireless development of new technologies to preserve crops, to evaluate traits, to breed improved crops. Fourth, conservation means managing and exchanging information systems on Genebanks and their holdings. Fifth, conservation means urgently identifying, collecting, and safeguarding threatened diversity. In one of our projects, national partnerships in 26 countries have brought more than four and a half thousand samples of crop wild relatives into their Genebanks. Yet many more are at risk. Sixth, conservation means building communities of practice and raising awareness. From informing farmers and breeders of the seeds available to informing consumers of the importance of the rich variety of foods they can eat. Yet, this barely scratches the surface of the work that is essential to conserve agricultural biodiversity and secure food forever. No doubt many of us have lists of critical, ongoing work, and all of us are operating in an environment characterized by the short term project funding, policies, market trends in an environment that is inherently unpredictable, insecure, and unsettled which is precisely why we at the crop trust keep our thoughts on forever. It is why forever is built into our very structure, with our endowment fund, and our commitments to funding in perpetuity.
Ladies and gentlemen, we estimate the fund must reach 850 million dollars to secure key collections of crop diversity forever. So far we have secured one-third of that amount. Thanks to the vision of governments, the private sector, and even individuals. But that means we have half a billion dollars to go. By comparison, the value of crop improvement is estimated well into the tens of billions of dollars but you can't improve crops without access to their genetic diversity and that's before we even begin to consider the options we are providing for the future or the billions of lives at stake. Biodiversity is priceless. Yet our short-term world persists in squandering it. When we destroy biodiversity, we are gambling away our options for the future. It is time to decide if we will continue to gamble with our future or if we are willing to invest in it because the actions we take today will last forever. With deep thanks to the Chinese Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, and the Chinese Association for Science and Technology for hosting this event. Thank you for your attention.
https://v.qq.com/x/page/u32162xsrhq.html
(Video credit: CBCGDF)
Chinese article for reference:
http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4854/14848.html
By / Jacob Modified / Maggie
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