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On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity on the 22
May the Climate Alliance supports the demands of its indigenous
cooperation partners and explains:
The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity meeting in advance of
the UN Conference on Biological Diversity in Bonn asks the international
community of states once more to esteem and to respect the rights of
indigenous peoples.
Particularly the indigenous peoples condemn the proceeding loss of
biological diversity in agriculture (agro biodiversity). The industrial agriculture
has a high share at it with its extensive monocultures, which is above all
enforced by the boom of the agrofuels. Just the sustainable used living
spaces for the resident, usually indigenous population get lost, sensitive
ecosystems are endangered and ancient native useful plants vanish.
Especially in times of rising prices and food crises as well as the necessary
adaptation to climate change the still existing diversity of useful plants offers
a rich reservoir for the benefit of all people. These should not become
extinct or be patented by lifesciene companies. Instead of subsidising the
agriculture on a grand scale and harming the smallholders in the developing
countries, the community of states should promote the preservers of agro
biodiversity.
In South America the living space of the indigenous population is additionally
endangered by the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in
South America (IIRSA), a program all countries of the subcontinent are
involved. Diego Iván Escobar Guzman, Vice President of Climate Alliance
and Environmental Coordinator of the indigenous organisation in the
Amazon area COICA, reported about infrastructure measures planned in the
framework of the IIRSA initiative like the construction of streets and
embankment dams, the exhaustion of mineral resources (petroleum) and
the siting of plantations for agrofuels. The threat accompanied with it and the
expulsions of indigenous communities will proceed even more quickly.
Further information:
27 - 30 May 2008 in Bonn, Platz der Vereinten Nationen, Plaza of Diversity,
Stand No. 153
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The "Climate Alliance of European Cities with Indigenous Rainforest
Peoples / Alianza del Clima" is Europe´s largest city network dedicated to
climate protection. The 1400 member municipalities have entered into a
partnership with indigenous rainforest peoples to protect the world´s climate.
The city network was founded in 1990 with the mission to elaborate and
implement local climate protection measures especially in the fields of
energy and mobility and to cooperate with indigenous peoples to protect the
tropical rainforests. Cooperation partner is COICA, the Coordinating Body
for the Indigenous Peoples´ Organizations of the Amazon Basin. The
Climate Alliance represents 50 million citizens in Europe.
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Climate Alliance / Klima-Bündnis / Alianza del Clima e.V.
European Secretariat
Galvanistr. 28, D-60486 Frankfurt am Main
Fon +49-69-717139-0, Fax +49-69-717139-93
europe(at)climatealliance.org
Angela Hanisch, Public Relations and Newsletter
Fon +49-69-717139-12
a.hanisch(at)klimabuendnis.org
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