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20th anniversary — World Wildlife Fund
Editorial
David Hughes-Evans
20th Anniversary- Wodd Wildlife Fund Many people have come to realize the importance of environmental protection and resource management programmes within their own countries. Fewer, however, fully appreciate the significance of parallel international efforts which have reinforced, and in many cases stimulated, the activities within individual nations. International conventions regarding Endangered Species, Migratory Species, Wetlands and the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, would appear to be far removed from the day to day levels o f environmental decision-making taking place within nations. Nonetheless, by embracing the larger concerns of global ecosystems, these conventions have forced into sharper focus the full dimensions of the environmental issues which challenge all countries. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the non-governmental organizations which is in the forefront o f the development of these key international collaborations. Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, WWF has raised and distributed a total of $55 million in support of 2,800 conservation and educational projects, including 'Operation Tiger', 'Save the Rhino 7 and "The Seas Must Live'. Along with UNEP, UNESCO and FAO, WWF also supported the development by the International Union for the Conservation o f Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), of a Worm Conservation Strategy: a global guide
The Environmentalist, 1 (1981) 91-93
James L. Aldrich
for sustainable development, without destruction o f the biosphere. The Strategy, launched a little over a year ago, sets forth a blueprint for balanced development which will both meet human needs and maintain the longterm productivity o f global ecosystems. Working together, these inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations have established a sound basis for development, one built upon a sensitivity to the transboundary interactions and interdependencies among the resource use decisions made by both individual governments and corporations. What can be expected next from these international efforts? At the WWF 20th anniversary meeting in May 1981, in London His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh accepted the Presidency of WWF-International. In his acceptance address, His Royal Highness stressed that there is no room for relaxation. Threats to wildlife and natural habitats will be far more serious and dangerous over the next twenty years than they are at present, as world population and demands for goods and services all increase. He stressed that, 'It is not a choice between man or nature; it is a case of man and nature. For if we fail to look after the natural world, mankind is unlikely to survive either'. He warned that the way ahead will not be easy: 'We may believe that the strength of our cause is selfevident, but the fact is, that as conservationists, we still are nothing more than a small minority. This has got to change.' The new President of WWF was highly critical of the action (or lack, thereof) of some nations: ' . . . many governments have already decided to adopt key conservation conventions, but these conventions need to be
© Elsevier Sequoia S.A., Lausanne - Printed in The Netherlands
Courtesy: Photo WWF
Mr. J. Loudon handing over the seal of the WWF-Presidency to the new President ofWWF-International, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
signed by many more governments, and, even more important, they need to be implemented. We must not let governments believe that they can simply sign on the dotted line and then quickly forget to do anything.' Recent events in the United States serve as a reminder that even once implementation has begun, the task is far from over. Pressure must be exerted to ensure that these efforts are maintained. In a recent interview in The Christian Science Monitor (May 18, 1981) Dr Harold Jefferson Coolidge, Honorary President of IUCN, raised the question, 'Is the environmental movement our next endangered species?' Dr Coolidge's question was stimulated by his dismay over the policies of the present US Administration, and its potential for harming the fabric of national and international environmental protection efforts--unraveling what has taken half a century to construct, and possibly risking the loss forever of natural resources that had been protected for the benefit of future generations. A similar query arose in the United Kingdom on June 3, 1981, when, in a debate in the House of Lords, Baroness White questioned the environmental sensitivity of the partners of the European Community 92
because of the nature of their development aid strategies and programmes in Third World countries. As the World Conservation Strategy indicates, efforts to continue, to maintain, and improve the management of internationally important natural resources must involve both developing and developed nations. The former must identify priority areas for action which are consistent with the philosophy of the strategy; the latter must use multilateral and bilateral aid effectively to implement the short- and long-term goals of the strategy. Within the limited available funds, programmes and projects must be conducted towards ensuring sustainable development. This approach will affect in a positive way, the quality of life for all, rather than providing short-term gains for a few, and reducing future options for resource use by the many. It is not enough for these non-governmental organizations to conduct individual conservation and education projects. They must continue to provide clear, decisive, catalytic leadership concerning essential planetary resource systems. In 1956, John Storer summarized the challenge now faced, in his book, The Web o f Life. 'Scientists have
The Environmentalist
proved that it is possible to use the lifesupporting natural resources o f the world without destroying them. These resources can be renewed and made more productive with use. This is a triumph of the human intellect. The great deciding test, however, still remains: whether man can coordinate knowledge into understanding, and build within his heart the incentives and the wisdom to use these new-found powers wisely, and with responsibility for the c o m m o n good.' It is this task that will be the work for the next 20 years for WWF and others who share similar concerns and responsibilities. David Hughes-Evans James L Aldrich (Editors)
Dr Lee Talbot's reply Asked by the Editors whether he believes that the environmental movement is an endangered species, IUCN Director-General, Dr Lee M Talbot, replied. Is the environmental movement an endangered species? Definitely not. Some of the more classical aspects of environmental concerns such as threatened species may be locally endangered, particularly when they are pursued in isolation from the broader aspects of environmental concern. However, the
Vol. 1, No. 2 (1981)
environmental movement as a whole has never been stronger. Much of its strengthened vitality is coming from the new directions in international conservation. These new directions represent a linking of conservation with development, a recognition that the traditional concerns of c o n s e r v a t i o n - - t h e factors affecting the survival of species and a r e a s - - a r e the same factors which threaten the welfare and indeed survival of mankind. These factors include loss of forests and other vegetation cover, spread of deserts, disruption of water supplies, over-exploitation and consequent depletion or loss of harvested species, such as fishes and whales, and of ecosystems such as range lands or forests. In our effort to utilize natural resources and improve the quality of our lives, we must come to terms with the realities of resource limitation, the carrying capacity of ecosystems, and our absolute reliance on the maintenance of the ecological life support system. This message is not new. It has been voiced loud and clear by conservation pioneers in past decades. It was prominent in the minds of those who established the IUCN thirty-three years ago. What is new is that the message is now being recognized not only by a few farsighted pioneers, but by increasing segments of the world's population and its decisionmakers. The new directions in international conservation are best reflected in the World Conservation Strategy. This vital document has received unparalleled endorsement worldwide and our major challenge now is to implement it. Our success or failure in that will determine not whether the environmental movement is endangered, but whether we are.
93
David Hughes-Evans
20th Anniversary- Wodd Wildlife Fund Many people have come to realize the importance of environmental protection and resource management programmes within their own countries. Fewer, however, fully appreciate the significance of parallel international efforts which have reinforced, and in many cases stimulated, the activities within individual nations. International conventions regarding Endangered Species, Migratory Species, Wetlands and the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, would appear to be far removed from the day to day levels o f environmental decision-making taking place within nations. Nonetheless, by embracing the larger concerns of global ecosystems, these conventions have forced into sharper focus the full dimensions of the environmental issues which challenge all countries. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the non-governmental organizations which is in the forefront o f the development of these key international collaborations. Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, WWF has raised and distributed a total of $55 million in support of 2,800 conservation and educational projects, including 'Operation Tiger', 'Save the Rhino 7 and "The Seas Must Live'. Along with UNEP, UNESCO and FAO, WWF also supported the development by the International Union for the Conservation o f Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), of a Worm Conservation Strategy: a global guide
The Environmentalist, 1 (1981) 91-93
James L. Aldrich
for sustainable development, without destruction o f the biosphere. The Strategy, launched a little over a year ago, sets forth a blueprint for balanced development which will both meet human needs and maintain the longterm productivity o f global ecosystems. Working together, these inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations have established a sound basis for development, one built upon a sensitivity to the transboundary interactions and interdependencies among the resource use decisions made by both individual governments and corporations. What can be expected next from these international efforts? At the WWF 20th anniversary meeting in May 1981, in London His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh accepted the Presidency of WWF-International. In his acceptance address, His Royal Highness stressed that there is no room for relaxation. Threats to wildlife and natural habitats will be far more serious and dangerous over the next twenty years than they are at present, as world population and demands for goods and services all increase. He stressed that, 'It is not a choice between man or nature; it is a case of man and nature. For if we fail to look after the natural world, mankind is unlikely to survive either'. He warned that the way ahead will not be easy: 'We may believe that the strength of our cause is selfevident, but the fact is, that as conservationists, we still are nothing more than a small minority. This has got to change.' The new President of WWF was highly critical of the action (or lack, thereof) of some nations: ' . . . many governments have already decided to adopt key conservation conventions, but these conventions need to be
© Elsevier Sequoia S.A., Lausanne - Printed in The Netherlands
Courtesy: Photo WWF
Mr. J. Loudon handing over the seal of the WWF-Presidency to the new President ofWWF-International, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
signed by many more governments, and, even more important, they need to be implemented. We must not let governments believe that they can simply sign on the dotted line and then quickly forget to do anything.' Recent events in the United States serve as a reminder that even once implementation has begun, the task is far from over. Pressure must be exerted to ensure that these efforts are maintained. In a recent interview in The Christian Science Monitor (May 18, 1981) Dr Harold Jefferson Coolidge, Honorary President of IUCN, raised the question, 'Is the environmental movement our next endangered species?' Dr Coolidge's question was stimulated by his dismay over the policies of the present US Administration, and its potential for harming the fabric of national and international environmental protection efforts--unraveling what has taken half a century to construct, and possibly risking the loss forever of natural resources that had been protected for the benefit of future generations. A similar query arose in the United Kingdom on June 3, 1981, when, in a debate in the House of Lords, Baroness White questioned the environmental sensitivity of the partners of the European Community 92
because of the nature of their development aid strategies and programmes in Third World countries. As the World Conservation Strategy indicates, efforts to continue, to maintain, and improve the management of internationally important natural resources must involve both developing and developed nations. The former must identify priority areas for action which are consistent with the philosophy of the strategy; the latter must use multilateral and bilateral aid effectively to implement the short- and long-term goals of the strategy. Within the limited available funds, programmes and projects must be conducted towards ensuring sustainable development. This approach will affect in a positive way, the quality of life for all, rather than providing short-term gains for a few, and reducing future options for resource use by the many. It is not enough for these non-governmental organizations to conduct individual conservation and education projects. They must continue to provide clear, decisive, catalytic leadership concerning essential planetary resource systems. In 1956, John Storer summarized the challenge now faced, in his book, The Web o f Life. 'Scientists have
The Environmentalist
proved that it is possible to use the lifesupporting natural resources o f the world without destroying them. These resources can be renewed and made more productive with use. This is a triumph of the human intellect. The great deciding test, however, still remains: whether man can coordinate knowledge into understanding, and build within his heart the incentives and the wisdom to use these new-found powers wisely, and with responsibility for the c o m m o n good.' It is this task that will be the work for the next 20 years for WWF and others who share similar concerns and responsibilities. David Hughes-Evans James L Aldrich (Editors)
Dr Lee Talbot's reply Asked by the Editors whether he believes that the environmental movement is an endangered species, IUCN Director-General, Dr Lee M Talbot, replied. Is the environmental movement an endangered species? Definitely not. Some of the more classical aspects of environmental concerns such as threatened species may be locally endangered, particularly when they are pursued in isolation from the broader aspects of environmental concern. However, the
Vol. 1, No. 2 (1981)
environmental movement as a whole has never been stronger. Much of its strengthened vitality is coming from the new directions in international conservation. These new directions represent a linking of conservation with development, a recognition that the traditional concerns of c o n s e r v a t i o n - - t h e factors affecting the survival of species and a r e a s - - a r e the same factors which threaten the welfare and indeed survival of mankind. These factors include loss of forests and other vegetation cover, spread of deserts, disruption of water supplies, over-exploitation and consequent depletion or loss of harvested species, such as fishes and whales, and of ecosystems such as range lands or forests. In our effort to utilize natural resources and improve the quality of our lives, we must come to terms with the realities of resource limitation, the carrying capacity of ecosystems, and our absolute reliance on the maintenance of the ecological life support system. This message is not new. It has been voiced loud and clear by conservation pioneers in past decades. It was prominent in the minds of those who established the IUCN thirty-three years ago. What is new is that the message is now being recognized not only by a few farsighted pioneers, but by increasing segments of the world's population and its decisionmakers. The new directions in international conservation are best reflected in the World Conservation Strategy. This vital document has received unparalleled endorsement worldwide and our major challenge now is to implement it. Our success or failure in that will determine not whether the environmental movement is endangered, but whether we are.
93