The 22nd of May marks the International Day for Biodiversity in order to focus the world’s attention on the urgent need to address biodiversity loss and maintain the richness and beauty of nature. This year’s motto, “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”, speaks to the need to balance environmental protection with social and economic justice. Yet conservation, and how this is understood and practiced by different actors, is frequently acrimonious and contested. Frictions between biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems are one such area.
On the one hand, agriculture is the main driver of biodiversity loss through land-use change, monocultures and the intensive use of pesticides and fertilisers. On the other hand, agriculture is vital for people’s livelihoods and, in certain forms, can enhance biodiversity richness. In this event, researchers and agrarian social movements will discuss different visions, policies and practices on conservation, agriculture and food systems. Together with the panelists and the audience, we will explore avenues to move beyond dichotomous representations of agriculture versus conservation through e.g. agro-ecological approaches that support biodiversity conservation, local livelihoods, and food security.
Speakers
Ina Lehmann (IVM VU)
Sylvia Kay (Transnational Institute)
Roos Saat (agro-ecological farmer)
Masifundise Development Trust (South Africa)
This event will be held both in-person and online. Register using the link at the top of the page.
For questions, please contact Mario Torralba.