ESS Group Task

International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 1952

Ratified by more than 180 nations.

Aims to prevent introduction and spread of disease which could damage:

Cultivated plants

Wild plants

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) 1971

Ratified by more than 160 nations

Focuses on conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and resources

Designates wetlands of international importance and ensures the effective management of these Ramsar sites

Promotes cooperation between member states on trans-boundary wetlands systems and shared species

Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn) 1979

Ratified by 120 nations

Focuses on conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats

Promotes coordination of conservation measures between nations within a migratory range

Brainforest- focuses on protecting the rainforest in Gabon

Use education as a main form of activism

Through research assess the situation, identify threats and potential solutions

Subtopic

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Direct communication with the media

Politically driven decisions rather than decisions determined by the best strategy to achieve conservation biodiversity.

Long and lengthy decision making process.

Provision of information to the public of latest reviews

Non-profit, voluntary organisations

Funded by charitable donations and membership fees

Environment NGO's began in the 1960s

Try to change policies, legislation and behavior at the individual level

Focus on one concern in one location - eg Brainforest focuses on protecting rainforest in Gabon

Or at an international level - range of related concerns such as WWF, Birdlife International, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, eg protecting the Amazon for life

Direct and indirect action - putting themselves in danger -> some tactics are illegal and members can be arrested

Can receive significant media attention and raise public awareness.

Consist of members from different countries

Example UN and the IPCC which is active in Germany

Make decisions at an international level

Can have legal ramifications if countries don't follow their word

Direct communication with the media

Lot of Bureaucracy

decisions politically driven

little connection to local communities affected by environmental damage

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna an Flora

Ensures International trade does not endanger threatened species