On May 25th and 26th, the World Economic Forum organised a two-day online event to examine the biggest challenges our seas are facing and to search for bold solutions that will help create healthy, resilient and thriving oceans.

Protecting the oceans and our planet

This year marks the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: an ambitious decade to move from science to solutions for sustainable development, create innovative public-private partnerships and find a way to use relevant science-based knowledge to help communities most vulnerable to the current and future changes of the ocean.

So why do we need to protect our oceans? Because they can provide solutions to global challenges – from regulating the global climate to delivering food security or providing a source of income to millions of people.

The ocean is a fundamental resource to tackle the climate emergency.

On average we protect 5% of our oceans. Large scale ocean conservation is needed, and good news is that we are increasingly seeing the foundation of large Marine Protected Areas. It is also important to keep in mind that when appropriately managed, ocean systems have a relatively high resilience and ability to recover.

The second edition of Virtual Ocean Dialogues started with a welcome message from António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, who mentioned the challenging biodiversity loss that affects the functioning and structure of world’s oceans. Mr. Costa stressed the necessity to give greater visibility to marine matters and embed them in the negotiations of the Climate COP26, which will take place in Glasgow next November, and the Biodiversity COP15 scheduled for next October in Kunming, China, in order to create a strong marine agenda.

Different aspects of marine conservation were addressed, including a session on how we communicate scientific findings and recommendations.

Bridging sciences and solutions for the ocean

Kerstin Forsteg, Founder and Director of Planeta Océano, stressed the necessity of increasing ocean literacy, strengthening local leaders and ensuring they are included in discussions and decisions about the ocean. In order to engage everybody in ocean conservation, she stressed how scientific results often do not reach those stakeholders that most need it, such as small scale fishermen, and that a greater effort in communicating our science should be done.

Another point of the discussion highlighted the importance of involving and empowering young ocean professionals. Mr Alfredo Giron of World Economic Forum emphasised that early career ocean professionals bring a collaborative spirit, open minds and enthusiasm to the table for the Ocean Decade but they need to feel their voices are included to help develop inclusive ocean solutions.

Sustainable food from the ocean

The ocean and aquatic ecosystems play a vital role in food systems, but they are fragile as a resource. If the ocean is to become a pillar of local food systems, these need to be more sustainable, accessible and respectful to the environment.

Speakers in this session talked about a consumer revolution arising from different dietary habits of young generations and its impacts, about the need to involve more women in decision-making and designing food systems, and about the necessity of national, international and cross-sector dialogue.

The session focussing on food harvested from the oceans was also a great opportunity to launch the UpLink’s Blue Food Challenge – an initiative of the World Economic Forum and its partners to find innovations related to aquatic foods that maximise nutritional and economic benefits to local communities. The call is now open, so if you have a big idea, make sure to submit it by June 22!

Discover more key moments and quotes from the #OceanDialogues speakers here and keep an eye on our knowledge hub for inspiring case studies and news on the marine topic!

• 4th of June
• 11:00 CEST
• Free, but registration is needed here.

• hear what is scientifically true about the role of forestry on climate change mitigation and in pollution removal;
• discover the ambitious forestry plan set up by the City of Milano: 1 Million Trees by 2030. How is this working in practice?

Webinar programme

Welcome, Introduction to the webinar and opening of Klimatfest
By Riccardo Gini – Director Parco Nord Milano

Urban forests as a Nature-Based Solution to mitigate climate change and to reduce pollution: what is the scientific evidence?
By Francesc Baró – (Urban) environmental scientist currently appointed as Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium

Forestami: the Italian urban forestry project to mitigate Climate Change
By Maria Chiara Pastore – Scientific Director Forestami

Let’s talk about it…
All participants will have the opportunity to exchange on the topics discussed and/or ask questions.

Introduction to the new LIFE UrbanGreeningPlans project and closing of the webinar
By Teresa Pastor, EUROPARC Federation

Every year on the 24th of May we celebrate the European Day of Parks. This year we will look at “Parks: The Next Generation”. Get a taste of what’s being organised:

Whilst the restrictions due to the corona pandemic are slowly lifted across the EU, it is clear that this year’s European Day of Parks is still be a bit different from other years. However, does this stop us from championing the amazing work of Protected Areas in Europe? Definitely not! That is why we were happy to see that so many of our members send us video messages from their Parks. We’ve learned about different educational programmes, new ways of managing visitors and saw how youth across Europe is active in their Parks. Additionally, we found out how Parks across Europe responded to the corona crisis, what lessons they have learned and how they are getting ready for The Next Generation.

You can find all video messages here!

We want to thank all our members for sending us their video messages!

Events

With restrictions still in place across Europe, events were fewer throughout Europe. However, leave it to Parks and Protected Areas to find ways to celebrate nonetheless!

Tiny Tales in The Netherlands

How can we make sure The Next Generation finds their way to National Parks? Well, by taking them on an adventure of course! That is why EUROPARC’s member IVN organised the “Tiny Tales” competition in The Netherlands. The competition is aimed at elementary schools across the country. Teachers can sign their class up and they will receive a special educational package with fun and interesting facts about the National Parks in The Netherlands. School children can then pick their “adventure animal”, write a story about the adventures it has in a National Park and draw a picture. Their teacher will submit on of these stories to IVN and the winning school class will win a visit to the “Nature School” in either National Park Hollandse Duinen or National Park Lauwersmeer.

Webinar by EUROPARC Spain

There is no denying that many of The Next Generation of Parks will need to be prepared for the challenges and opportunities Climate Change brings. This is why EUROPARC Spain is organising the webinar “Protected Areas for Climate Change adaptation, health and environmental education”. The webinar looks at the “new generation” of Parks, that are called upon to face new global challenges that need local responses, with new approaches that enrich the progress made, by incorporating new generations of active, creative and committed people.

Poster Competition in Austria

National Park Hohe Tauern is organising a poster competition for schools cooperating with the National Park. Through the poster the National Park gives children and young people the opportunity to show what they want from a National Park in the future. Their partner schools in Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia are invited to participate. On the European Day of Parks NP Hohe Tauern will award the winner of the competition. Additionally, the posters will be presented in one of their visitor centers.

Online competition on Biodiversity in Poland

Roztocze National Park (RNP) in Poland also got creative and adapted to the current situation. To still allow young people (and adults!) to learn more about biodiversity, they National Park set up an online competition on biological diversity of the RNP. The introduction to the competition is a poem entitled “Spring of Roztocze” which describes the biodiversity of Roztocze in an amusing way. The aim of the competition is to stimulate the imagination of the young generation and raise the knowledge of the biological diversity of the RNP by participating in the application on the colors and sounds of the RNP amphibians.

Wildlife in the garden in Hungary

Balaton-felvidéki National Park is organising a free guided walk aimed specifically at schools and families! This interactive and playful walk will present the Park’s environment and fauna, even those we don’t notice it at all.

Working outside in Finland

Finland is looking not just at the Next Generation of Parks, but also the next generation of work! Working outside, having a virtual meeting by the camp fire in the outdoor/hiking area with colleagues is a good way to combine outdoor life, work and safe social life with workmates. In Kurjenrahka National Park Outdoor Leaders will get together partners. The meeting is open for every one, who likes to work outside and have a working day some where middle of the nature.

Discover what Latvian Protected Area suits you best

Youth+ in Latvia have created an online quiz that allows you to find out which Protected Area in Latvia suits you best! What is your favorite activity? Do you prefer water, woods, or meadows? What food are you craving? Answering these questions will help you find out where to go for the European Day of Parks. You can take it here.

Transatlantic cooperation in Slovenia

To create The Next Generation of Parks, we will need to learn from each other! Sister Parks Triglav National Park in Slovenia and Crater Lake National Park will organize a virtual event about their cooperation with educational institutions and youth. Everyone can follow on Facebook live on May 26th2021 at 10:00 Pacific time (GMT-7) / at 19:00 Central European Time (GMT + 2)

Many events organised in Spain

Spain is the absolute front runner in organised events this European Day of Parks! Junta de Andalucia, the Network of Natural Parks in Catalonia (Xarxa de Parcs Naturals de Catalunya) and the Nature Parks Service of Barcelona Provincial Council (Diputació de Barcelona) and Natural Parks of Valencia have organised many events. From presentations on ecotourism in Parks, workshops, exhibitions, awareness-raising activities around nature, to the studying of owls, there is loads to see and discover.

This is just a small overview of all the events organised in Europe! There are many more events to discover in Romania, Hungary, Estonia, Czech Republic and other countries in and outside of Europe. You can find them all here.

Can’t go to your favorite Park?

Then celebrate with us online! You can tag @europarc on Facebook and Twitter and @europarc_federation on Instagram or use #EuropeanDayOfParks to see what is happening around Europe.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated every year on May 22nd to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year, the celebrations take place under the slogan “We’re part of the solution #ForNature!”

Happy Biodiversity Day!

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet and it is much more then plants, animals, micro organisms and their ecosystems. Biodiversity provides the whole world with food, medicine, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment.

The International Day of Biodiversity has been adopted by the United Nation to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the biggest international legal instrument for biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use.

This year, the celebration focuses on the future global biodiversity framework and the slogan for this edition is “We’re part of the solution”. As the Biodiversity Day has to be celebrated once again virtually, you can let your creativity run wild to express online what the slogan means to you and how YOU are being part of the solution #ForNature.

To show your support and participation, you can also customize the logo and display it as a banner on your website or social media – just as we did at the top of this news article!

EUROPARC and biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity conservation is one of the main goals of the EUROPARC Network. We celebrate and promote efficient conservation policies, knowledge-sharing and good management practices that respect or enhance biodiversity. Last year, EUROPARC took an active part in the discussions on the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. Read the Position Paper on the EU targets for Protected Areas, developed with 17 other members of the European Habitat Forum.

Beyond our geographical scope of action, we are aware that the global biodiversity loss requires a global action. That’s why EUROPARC supports and tries to play an active role in initiatives such as the Global coalition for biodiversity to raise awareness about the need to protect and restore biological diversity all around the world.

Make your voice heard before the #COP15

The world is counting the days before the adoption of a new global Post-2020 biodiversity framework. The long-awaited framework will be based on negotiations leading up to the UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties, known as COP15. After being postponed already twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting is now scheduled to take place in October 2021 in Kunming, China.

Every remaining day before the Conference counts to make your voice heard loud and clear and the International Day for Biodiversity is a great opportunity to remind of that.

Don’t wait any longer and let the world know that you wish for a strong global biodiversity framework that will reverse biodiversity loss. Let the world know you care about the future!

On this page, you can find inspirational messages from world leaders, organisations and individuals in support of the Biodiversity Day. To voice your concerns, ideas and support online, tag your message with #COP15, #ForNature and #BiodiversityDay.

Join the Global Biodiversity Festival

Each year, the International Day for Biodiversity hosts a number of exciting events. This year, despite the ongoing Covid situation, is no exception. Launched last year, the Global Biodiversity Festival is airing its second edition from the 20 to 23rd May 2021. You can look forward to a 72 hours live broadcast, with over 150 inspiring speakers from around the globe – including scientists, explorers, conservationists and others.

The event is open and free to join for anyone from anywhere, but registration is required to to join the talks and events. Find more information and register here!