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Biodiversity can be defined as "the variety of life on earth and the natural patterns that it forms" (Sustaining life on Earth: how the Convention on Biological Diversity promotes nature and human well-being ). While measures to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity will be beneficial for the environment, they can also have a positive effect in advancing our health and economic well-being.
When people come to understand the importance of biodiversity, they are likely to encourage or even participate in activities which support conservation and the sustainable use of resources. Unfortunately, however, many people are not entirely familiar with the full range of benefits related to biodiversity.
This lack of knowledge highlights the need to provide more information to the public about ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. With increased awareness, Canadians will be better prepared to make decisions that take into account the importance of biodiversity.
The power that information can yield is recognised in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which identifies education and public awareness as a cross-cutting issue.
At the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD, steps were taken to establish a Global Initiative on Biodiversity Education and Public Awareness.
At COP-7, in 2004, Parties were asked to communicate the 2010 target to their respective national governments and citizens. They were also asked to "establish appropriate linkages to the Decade on Education for Sustainable Development" in the implementation of their national programmes.
In Canada, education and awareness have been identified as one of the five goals of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. As stated in the Strategy, this is to be achieved through efforts to "promote an understanding of the need to conserve biodiversity and use biological resources in a sustainable manner."
To meet this goal, a wide range of biodiversity information and education products have been developed and distributed. In 1998, for instance, the Biodiversity Convention Office (BCO) released Learning about Biodiversity: A First Look at the Theory and Practice of Biodiversity Education, Awareness and Training in Canada. Since its release, Learning about Biodiversity has been recognised as a useful introduction to the many means of implementing biodiversity education programmes.
In 2002, a second Canadian biodiversity education guide, Learning through Real-Life Experiences, was released to help expose local communities to a range of successful conservation and sustainable use practices. By examining case studies from Eastern Ontario and highlighting the importance of collaboration, stewardship and creative solutions, this document encourages all Canadians to participate in activities which promote environmental learning. Also in 2002, a brochure entitled Conserving Biodiversity in Canada: A Journey in Progress was developed to summarise progress made over the past decade in implementing the Convention in Canada.
Every year, the BCO also encourages the celebration of events - such as the International Day for Biological Diversity and Ocean's Day - by designing educational materials, creating and staffing public displays and taking part in activities that promote biodiversity. In Canada, there are several community-based ecosystem and species monitoring programs raising public awareness on biodiversity issues by enlisting the help of Canadians in the collection of scientific data. For more information on programs such as Wormwatch, Frogwatch, Icewatch and Plantwatch, please visit the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network website.
Raising awareness about biodiversity, like any educational process, is an ongoing project. In order to provide Canadians with current examples of biodiversity conservation, the BCO will continue to produce instructive materials and will actively promote important biodiversity events.