Save Biodiversity 05/09 - Update from Countdown 2010

In this Issue

• Feature: Nature as the key to progress
  • Some of the best applications
  • Biomimicry in Europe
• Do it yourself: Public awareness surveys
• Internal: Join Countdown 2010 on Facebook and Twitter!
• State of biodiversity: Nature is the biggest untapped ally against climate change
• Focus on...First national Countdown 2010 Partners’ meeting in Portugal!
• LARA: Countdown 2010 Partner wins Spanish award for biodiversity

^ Dear Countdown 2010 Partners, Dear Readers,

"The great book, always open and which we must make efforts to read, is the book of Nature”. For Antoni Gaudi, the famous Spanish architect of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, nature was not only an inspiration but a model for his architecture. Learning from nature and applying its principles has great potential for human development. The Feature of this issue of the newsletter is biomimicry, the science of seeking to copy the best ideas in nature and then imitate these designs and processes to solve human problems

The impact of climate change on biodiversity and the cost of inaction are the themes of the latest update of the study on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). Click here to read the article.

In the Focus on and Lara articles you will learn about some of the latest activities carried out by Countdown 2010 Partners. In Portugal the first ever national meeting of Countdown 2010 Partners has just taken place. In Spain, Countdown 2010 Partners received an award for their biodiversity projects. Well done everybody and keep up the good work!   

This week three new Partners, AEGEE, Fondation Hellef fir d’Natur and GEDEON Programmes, present their commitments to biodiversity on the homepage of the Countdown 2010 website. Read more about Partners and their actions and send us your information to become a Featured Partner for a month.

You can now follow Countdown 2010 on Facebook and Twitter! Become a fan and spread the message!

Enjoy reading! 

Sebastian Winkler
Head of Countdown 2010
30 September, 2009

^ Feature: Nature as the key to progress

Biology has always provided inspiration for human technologies, particularly since the industrial revolution. For example, the emergence of aeroplanes was possible thanks to the physical study of the shape of bird wings, after the initial attempts to simply copy bats or birds wing flapping. Bionics & biomimetics have since developed, encompassing numerous applications in robotics, improved by mimicking insects or geckos.

One step further came with the coining of “biomimicry” by the American Janine Benyus. As a naturalist, she realised how much species and ecosystems around us had innumerable tricks and recipes to live and thrive on Earth. In her landmark book from 1997, convinced by meetings and discussions with a number of scientific teams, she proposed biomimicry as a sustainability-oriented subset of biomimetics.
 
Biomimicry can thus be defined as an innovative approach relying on the transfer and adaptation of principles and strategies developed by living organisms and ecosystems, in order to produce goods and services (more) sustainably and ultimately make human societies fully compatible with the biosphere.

Biomimicry can be applied at three different levels:

The first one is shape, by mimicking it to improve the sustainability of a product. It is the simplest but often represents only a first step.

The second level goes further by getting inspiration from the way living organisms produce their materials naturally, without high temperature, high pressure or toxic persistent solvents.

The third level is less technological and more systemic, as it delves not on species “tricks”, but on the ways they relate to each other within ecosystems. These ways translate in “Life principles” such as efficient use of energy, no waste material loops, local consumption, resilience built on diversity and redundancy etc. These principles can be fruitfully included as metaphors and guidelines within business strategies, or land management, for sustainability towards compatibility with the Earth ecosystem at large.

• Biomimicry Institute
• Asknature.org

^Some of the best applications

The kingfisher train. The instant shift from air to water which has shaped fishing birds evolution for thousands of years compares to the fast transition between the outside and the compressed air of the tunnel. Japanese engineers have therefore adapted the shape of the kingfisher head to some high speed train locomotives in order to decrease the level of vibrations and energy consumption when entering tunnels.

The termite mound air conditioning. Several big buildings in hot countries, including a shopping center in Zimbabwe and others in Australia have taken inspiration from termites to considerably enhance the efficiency of their air conditioning. Termites use a number of natural systems to keep the temperature and humidity of their mound constant. By copying these natural systems in modern buildings less powerful air conditioning units cna be used.

The mussel glue. An American scientist has developed a soya based glue inspired by the mussel byssus (the protein thread that allows molluscs to cling to rocks in harsh moving waters). This glue is now used by one of the larger plywood producer of the US, in replacement to toxic formaldehyde containing glues.

The leaf inspired photovoltaic panels. In response to the high cost of silica based photovoltaic technologies, several labs around the world are preparing the next generation of solar panels, this time directly inspired by leaves. Indeed, the first step of photosynthesis, a complex molecular mechanism developed by plants for at least two hundred million years to acquire the sun energy, also converts light to electrons. These carbon based technologies will be much cheaper in terms of energy and much easier to recycle.

The prairie inspired agriculture. Natural prairies have been self-sustaining for centuries, without any need for irrigation, fertilizers or pesticides, while producing every year their yield of grains and legumes. For 20 years the Land Institute has been studying and selecting perennial cereals and legumes allowing the same independence.

^Biomimicry in Europe

With the aim of creating a European hub for biomimicry innovation for technologies, practices and strategic management, Biomimicry Europa (BE) was created by men and women who believe that the life principles of nature are the main source of inspiration for a sustainable future.

This approach needs not only a real investment in science and technology, but also in strategic issues to produce a strong set of values for sustainability. Biomimicry Europa promotes this vision through different types of actions. Education and outreach, with a web site (www.biomimicryeuropa.org) conferences and training programmes, scientific developments (with a network of scientists involved in biomimetic studies), research programmes (notably with www.greenloop.com CO2 Sol Stock), and also a methodological approach for strategic management in companies and for resilient territories.

To this end, BE participates in the project of one of its members, Luc Schuiten in Vegetal City, and develops some practical applications to real situations in companies. 

You can find more about BE on the website or by joining its Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Interested scientists can contact the organization at science@biomimicry.eu.

• Biomimicry Europa

^Do it yourself: Public awareness surveys?

Do people in your country know what biodiversity is? Are they familiar with its decline? Do they know how vital it is to conserve biodiversity for their future?

Public awareness is crucial to guarantee that policy-makers take action towards biodiversity conservation. Its importance is recognized in recent assessments on biodiversity status. For instance, indicator 26 within the indicators developed by the SEBI 2010 initiative focuses on public opinion and is based on the outcomes of the Eurobarometer survey in 2007.        

The Countdown 2010 Partner MEDASSET, a Greek NGO for sea turtle conservation has just launched an electronic survey to find out how many people in Greece are aware of the current trend of biodiversity loss. The survey will run from 17 September to 1 December 2009.

Communications sponsor, GEO magazine, is helping to raise awareness and is urging the public to participate in this effort. The results will be published in the January issue of the Greek edition of GEO magazine, to signal the start of the International Year of Biodiversity. MEDASSET is also asking for the support of all environmental NGOs in Greece to help distribute the survey to their members.

According to the Eurobarometer survey (2008), most Greek citizens feel badly informed about the environment compared to the average European. Greek citizens judge that the environmental situation in their country is bad, unlike other European citizens who express their satisfaction about the environmental situation in their country.

Find out about the trends in your country! Ask your fellow citizens what they know about biodiversity and its loss. Send Countdown 2010 your results.

• MEDASSET on Countdown 2010 website

^Internal: Join Countdown 2010 on Facebook and Twitter!

Social networking has become the quickest and most efficient communication tool in society today. And Countdown 2010 wants to be at the leading edge! Following the success the initiative has had in the real world, we now want to make an impact in the virtual world too!

The new Facebook page and Twitter profile will help us spread the biodiversity message to an increasing number of organizations and individuals. Help us achieve this goal!  

If you already have a Facebook profile, becoming a fan of Countdown 2010 is a cinch! Click on this link and press on the “Become a fan” button! You don’t have a FB profile? Create your own on this page and…don’t forget to join Countdown 2010.

You can also follow us on Twitter to keep yourself updated with the latest news and initiatives of the network. Visit the Countdown 2010 Twitter page and click on “Follow”. If tweeting is new to you, find out more on this link.     

Invite your friends and colleagues to do the same! Always send us updates on your latest achievements and we will help to spread your message. Link your organization to the Countdown 2010 pages and let’s unite efforts to involve a wider public in the biodiversity cause!

Staff news: the Countdown 2010 team has recently grown. Nicolas and Russell will help the Secretariat in the forthcoming months leading to the International Year of Biodiversity. Visit staff page.    

• Countdown 2010 on Facebook
• Countdown 2010 on Twitter

^State of Biodiversity: Nature is the biggest untapped ally against climate change

The new update on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) highlights that investing in restoration and maintenance of the Earth’s multi-trillion dollar ecosystems can have a key role in countering climate change and climate-proofing vulnerable economies.

“The TEEB study points in the right direction: the only way to save money in the future is to invest today in the protection of the Earth’s natural resources and systems” according to Sebastian Winkler, Head of Countdown 2010.

The study warns that the planet’s biological diversity and ecological infrastructure are increasingly being put at risk from the impact of rising greenhouse gases. The report sets out the climate risks and opportunities for two of the world’s most threatened and diverse ecosystems – coral reefs and tropical forests – and shows how climate change could damage entire ecosystems, with devastating economic consequences.
The report also includes clear policy recommendations for international climate negotiators, as they prepare for the upcoming climate convention in Copenhagen (Denmark) later this year.

TEEB is a project launched by Germany and the European Commission in response to a proposal by the G8+5 Environment Ministers (Potsdam, Germany 2007) to develop a global study on the economics of biodiversity loss. The study is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme. The issues update has been recently launched in Berlin by TEEB study leader Pavan Sukhdev, with German Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, European Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas and UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP Achim Steiner.

• Full press release
• TEEB website

^Focus on: First national Countdown 2010 Partners’ meeting in Portugal!

On September 25, the first national meeting of Countdown 2010 Partners in Portugal took place at the Estoril Congress Center. It featured the participation of Partners and other bodies involved in biodiversity conservation and related fields of activity in the region.

The event was part of the Biodiversity Forum organized by the municipality of Cascais, Cascais Natura agency and Greenfest. The meeting gathered NGOs, representatives from the central administration, numerous local administrations, and companies to debate on the policies, strategies and actions needed to halt the loss of biodiversity. Discussions on the celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity in Portugal were also held.

Parallel to this event, the local Business & Biodiversity platform held a meeting which included 50 participants from Portuguese companies. They shared their experiences in including biodiversity in their operations.

The Countdown 2010 Secretariat encourages all of its Partners to organize similar events in their countries! In view of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010 – which will mark the expiry of the 2010 Biodiversity Target – we urge all Partners to reinforce their outreach efforts to involve a wider public in conservation.

• Cascais Natura

^LARA: Countdown 2010 Partner wins Spanish award for biodiversity

The Municipality of Tremp, a Countdown 2010 Partner, was awarded the first prize of the second edition of the “Concurso de Proyectos para el Incremento de la Biodiversidad” held in Spain. The Municipality will receive 200,000 Euros to implement a project dedicated to increasing biodiversity in the area.

The competition was organized by the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (MARM), the Spanish Federation of Provinces and Municipalities (FEMP) and Fundación Biodiversidad. The awards went to those projects which harmonized sustainability and conservation policies aimed at increasing biodiversity at local levels within the activities envisaged by the “Common Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation” of the Ministry of the Environment and the FEMP.

The competition was addressed to local and provincial authorities belonging to the FEMP or part of the Red de Gobiernos Locales + Biodiversidad 2010.

Other Countdown 2010 Partners participated in the competition. In particular, the following received  small grants for their excellent proposals:

• Nigrán. Dune ecosystems recovery in the beaches Panxón and América-Nigrán.
• Santander. Parks and gardens for biodiversity.
• Totana. Recovery and management of la Rambla de Lébor as ecological corridor between Sierras de la Tercia-Espuña and Río Guadalentín.
• Valle de Mena. Recovery of Valle de Mena.
• Villacañas. Improvement of bird habitats and priority plants in the local wetlands.

• Full story (Spanish)

For more information please contact info@countdown2010.net or visit www.countdown2010.net

This newsletter is issued bi-monthly by Countdown 2010. We welcome comments, feedback and contributions to info@countdown2010.net. Previous issues of this newsletter can be found at http://www.countdown2010.net/resources/newsletter.