Europeans not well informed about biodiversity loss

by S. C.

The European Commission has published a Eurobarometer survey which shows that many Europeans do not understand what is meant by biodiversity and do not feel well informed about biodiversity loss. The Commission has at the same time launched a campaign aimed at informing the public about the loss of biodiversity in the EU.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "Biodiversity is the natural engine for our future, and we must learn to treat it with care. I hope this campaign will help do that, and raise awareness about the need to be kinder to the natural world we depend on."

New research into biodiversity awareness

The recent Eurobarometer survey shows that most Europeans do not feel well informed about biodiversity. The new "Attitudes towards biodiversity" survey reveals that only 38% of Europeans know the meaning of the term, although another 28% have heard of it but do not know its meaning. A majority feel that biodiversity loss is a serious issue, although they do not think they will be personally affected by the decline, with only 17% of respondents agreeing that they are already touched by it. When asked about the most important threats to biodiversity, 27% prioritised pollution, with 26% blaming man-made disasters. The main reason cited by citizens for their lack of actions to stop biodiversity loss was low awareness of what can be done

The Commission's awareness raising campaign

The EU-wide campaign, which coincides with the UN's designation of 2010 as the Year of Biodiversity, aims to raise awareness about the problem through a website, a video clip, PR actions, street art and media, including social media. The main thrust of the campaign will be to show citizens the real implications these losses will have in their daily lives, with a focus on actions citizens can take to prevent such losses. The campaign revolves around a slogan – "we are all in this together".

The primary concern of the campaign is to make the biodiversity problem/issue more familiar, ensure that citizens understand the potential consequences of this loss, and that they can do something to stop the decline.

The campaign is built around the slogan, ‘Biodiversity – we are all in this together’. It will have an educational dimension that reveals the benefits biodiversity brings, and stresses in particular the idea of ecosystem services and the dangers of their disappearance. The aim will be to make citizens more aware of the role they can play in slowing and preventing this loss.The theme that will return repeatedly is the idea of connectivity and interdependence.

by S. C.
09 April 2010 Teatro Naturale International n. 4 Year 2

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