What is biodiversity and why does it matter? It’s the very building block of life and without it, we don’t exist. And few understand the importance and fragility of our global biodiversity better than Dr. David Cooper, who has helped oversee the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity. Holding a masters in agriculture and forest sciences and a PhD in plant physiology from Oxford, David is one of the United Nation’s leaders in their efforts to create international consensus around tackling what is, according to David, an unparalleled biodiversity crisis.
David has worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, was a member of the Scientific Committee of DIVERSITAS, was the lead author of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, helped write the Global Biodiversity Outlook, in addition to penning numerous papers on biodiversity science and policy. Previously in the Secretariat of the Convention, he led the implementation of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans; and David was the Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity that adopted the twenty current global Biodiversity Targets.
So, yes, Dr. David Cooper understands the state of our global biodiversity and has the best birds-eye view of what’s happening – and what needs to happen – to protect it. He spoke with us by Skype from the office of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal.
What do you think?
- Do we need thousands of community-driven, citizen science projects that can add up to global change? Or do we need to rally our communities to support global treaties that will mandate faster, bolder action?
- What approach is the most likely to gain the most support and have the most impact?
- How can we use science to do more than just illustrate the problems? How can science help offer solutions, drive innovation and spark better policy?
- If understanding the science of biodiversity is the first step, how can we communicate the knowledge to non-scientists?
- What steps will you take to help safeguard our biodiversity?