Council: Environmental
Topic: Conservation of Endangered Species
Background
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was
signed in 1973.
In 1994, the United Nations published a "red list" of threatened species of plants and animals
worldwide. Currently, the red list holds date on approximately 45,000 animals and plants. These
species are featured yearly in groups of sixteen on stamps in New York, Geneva, and Vienna in
an effort to promote awareness.
The 2010 target set by the United Nations for a "significant reduction" in the rate of biodiversity
loss" was not met.
Current Situation
The Environment Minister, Peter Garrett said he was ''conscious that a species-by-species
approach to the protection of biodiversity can give too narrow a perspective'' for policy. The
chief scientist of the United Nations Environment Program said the world must set "concrete and
realistic goals" for protecting biodiversity for 2020 and 2050.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) is "the world's authority on
biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions and related environmental governance." The
ICUN has three main goals: valuing and conserving nature, effective and equitable governance
of nature's use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges.
Things to Consider
-What is the role of this council in crafting policy regarding the red list?
-How should the comments by Peter Garrett regarding a species-by-species approach affect
policy changes?
-What can this council do to prevent further species loss for animals and plants?
http://www.iucnredlist.org
http://www.iucn.org/
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/endangered-species-can-be-saved-says-un-scientist20100630-zmvf.html