COP26: A Chance to Address the Interconnected Crises of Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss
The intertwined climate and biodiversity crises require concerted action. We need to treat the climate and ecological emergencies as one planetary emergency. They are two sides of the same coin. Global leaders can no longer address the climate and biodiversity crises separately to succeed on both.
Nature-based solutions (NBS), in particular the large-scale protection and restoration of key ecosystems, are essential for meeting the Paris climate agreement. NBS can provide up to 37% of mitigation needed to meet the goal.
Protecting at least 30% of the planet, if done in the right locations, is a nature-based solution with enormous biodiversity and climate benefits, including climate change resilience, adaptation and mitigation.
A UN study found that conserving 30% of land in strategic locations could safeguard 500 gigatonnes of carbon stored in vegetation and soils, and reduce the extinction risk of nearly 9 out of 10 threatened terrestrial species.
EVENTS
COP26 EVENT -- 3 NOVEMBER, 9:30 AM
Nature Champions to Map Out Joint Action on Climate Change and Nature Protection
The natural world is disappearing at an unprecedented rate, with one million plant and animal species facing extinction. Land and sea use change is driving the decline in nature; climate change is a direct driver of nature loss--and it exacerbates the impacts of other drivers.
There is an opportunity at COP26 to maximize the synergies between action on climate and biodiversity--at the local and global scales--through mutually supportive policies. Conserving and restoring nature, which sequesters high volumes of carbon also reduces threats to species and ecosystems and helps avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Evidence shows, for example, that protecting at least 30% of the land and of the ocean globally by 2030 would help to reverse adverse ecological impacts and species extinction risk, while increasing resilience and adaptation to climate change.
The UN climate talks represents a key opportunity in the lead up to the UN biodiversity talks to capitalize on the synergies between the climate and biodiversity agenda, including the central role of strong land rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
What: The Way Forward: Bridging the gap on nature from COP26 to COP15, a panel discussion moderated by H.E. Andrea Meza, the Minister of Environment of Costa Rica and hosted by the governments of Costa Rica, France, and the UK.
Who:
President Carlos Alvarado Quesada (Costa Rica)
President Sebastián Piñera (Chile)
Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith (UK)
H.E. Mariam Bint Mohammed Almheiri (UAE)
H.E. Mr. Yutaka Shoda (Japan)
H.E. Andrea Meza (Costa Rica)
H.E. Pearnell Charles (Jamaica)
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez (CEO of the GEF)
Hindou Ibrahim (President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad AFPAT)
Aileen Lee (Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation)
Enric Sala (National Geographic)
When: 3 November, 9:30-10:30 AM
Where: GEF Pavilion
RSVP: Contact Susan Tonassi (stonassi@burness.com, +1 202.716.9665) in Washington or Ellen Wilson in Glasgow (ewilson@burness.com, +1 301466 3205)
About the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, The Leaders’ Pledge for Nature & The Global Ocean Alliance:
The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People is an intergovernmental group of 75 countries co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, with the United Kingdom acting as Ocean co-chair, launched at the U.N. General Assembly in 2019 to champion a global deal for nature and people with the central goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the world's land and ocean by 2030. The 30x30 target is a global target that aims to halt the accelerating loss of species and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. It has been endorsed by the G7 and the IUCN.
The Leaders’ Pledge for Nature is a commitment to reverse biodiversity loss by the end of the decade launched at the U.N. General Assembly in 2020. The pledge is a direct response to the need for urgent and immediate global action to address our interdependent biodiversity, climate and health crises. It has so far been endorsed by 89 world leaders, including six G7 countries, eight G20 countries and several of the world’s top biodiversity-rich countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Colombia and Costa Rica, and supported by more than 80 organisations including the World Wide Fund for Nature, the World Health Organization, Conservation International and BirdLife International.
The Global Ocean Alliance is a 55 country strong alliance, led by the United Kingdom. Its aim is to protect at least 30% of the global ocean in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) by 2030. This is known as the “30by30 target.”
MEDIA STATEMENTS
Media Statement
Nature Features Prominently at COP26
(17 November, 2021--Glasgow)--The prominence of nature and biodiversity in the Glasgow Climate Pact and throughout the climate talks marks the first time nature was meaningfully incorporated into global climate negotiations.
The final Glasgow climate agreement notes the importance of: “ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including in forests, the ocean and the cryosphere, and the protection of biodiversity, recognized by some cultures as Mother Earth.”
It goes on to emphasize: “the importance of protecting, conserving and restoring nature and ecosystems, including forests and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems, to achieve the Paris Agreement temperature goal by acting as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and protecting biodiversity, while ensuring social and environmental safeguards.”
Indigenous Peoples were recognized as important partners in designing and implementing climate solutions during negotiations. And, according to the document, countries should respect, promote and consider their rights when climate action is taken. However, sufficient safeguards for Indigenous rights and recognition of Indigenous leadership in “Nature-based solutions” were inadequate according to many Indigenous leaders who attended the COP.
This unprecedented recognition of the role of nature in addressing climate change marks an important turning point in ongoing global efforts to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, which Boris Johnson called “two sides of the same coin” at the launch of COP26.
In early January, many of the same countries who gathered for COP26 will meet again in Geneva Switzerland to negotiate the details of a major biodiversity treaty expected to be signed in April 2022. The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is considered to be as important to the fate of the planet as the Paris Agreement under discussion in Glasgow.
The following announcements and events at COP26 linked to the Campaign for Nature demonstrated how climate change and nature protection can be jointly addressed.
Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault announced Canada will allocate at least 20% of its $5.3 billion climate finance commitment—about a total of $1 billion—to nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity co-benefits in developing countries over the next five years.
Madagascar, Nepal, and Mauritania announced membership of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, bringing the number of countries pushing to protect 30% of the planet by 2030 up to 77.
The leaders of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama launched a new marine protected area in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.The decision by these four countries to establish this marine protected area demonstrates the strong and growing political will to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030. Right now, only 7% of the ocean is protected. Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister said: “This bold and ambitious new initiative is crucial for conservation efforts in this beautiful region, and, as long-standing advocates for ocean protection, the UK stands ready to support these countries in this hugely important endeavour. Together, we must do more to protect our world’s most precious resource and today’s announcement marks a significant milestone.”
The presidents of Costa Rica, Colombia and Chile spoke out about the dramatic gains nature protection can provide in solving the climate change crisis. They, along with ministers from the UK, Japan and United Arab Emirates also reaffirmed their commitments to protect 30% of the planet by 2030 and called on other countries to step up to protect nature in the leadup to a major biodiversity summit next year--considered to be as important to the fate of the planet as the Paris Agreement under discussion in Glasgow.
Donors, including the Wyss Foundation committed $1.7B to help Indigenous peoples protect forests and other important ecosystems.
Brian O’Donnell, Director of the Campaign for Nature, said:
Nature received major attention at the climate talks for the first time. It was clear that at top-level events and in countless discussions in Glasgow, the urgent need to safeguard biodiversity at the same time we keep global temperatures below 1.5 was top-of-mind for many COP26 participants.
With 77 countries showing their support for 30x30, we have political momentum for a UN biodiversity treaty signed next year that includes the bold targets. Now is the time for more financial commitments, essential to ensuring the targets are met.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are beginning to receive recognition from the highest levels that they are essential leaders in tackling climate change and nature loss. The next step is ensuring that Indigenous peoples and local communities their land rights secured.
Enric Sala, Explorer in Residence at National Geographic said:
World leaders have finally understood that nature is half of the solution to the climate crisis. But protecting nature does even more -- it also boosts food security and local and national economies, and it protects us from the impacts of climate change already bearing down. Without more intact nature it will be impossible to remain below 1.5 degrees.
Resources
Op-ed: Protecting the ocean is key to fighting climate change by Enric Sala
Op-ed: Protecting human rights key to safeguarding nature by Ramiro Batzin
Contact
Kirsten Weymouth
+1 703.928.4995
kweymouth@ngs.org
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Media Statement
COP26: Canada Announces $1 Billion in Funding for Nature Protection
Madagascar, Nepal and Mauritania Announce Membership of High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, Bringing the Number of Countries Pushing to Protect 30% of the Planet by 2030 Up to 77
(6 November, 2021--Glasgow)--At a Nature Day event at COP26, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault announced Canada will allocate at least 20% of its $5.3 billion climate finance commitment—about a total of $1 billion—to nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity co-benefits in developing countries over the next five years.
Also on Saturday, Madagascar, Nepal and Mauritania—three countries rich in biodiversity—announced their membership of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC). The group of 77 countries is pushing to ensure that 30x30 is a core element of a global biodiversity treaty to be finalized next year.
Madagascar and Mauritania are among the many African countries that have joined the HAC. Nepal joins other South Asia members, including Pakistan, the Republic of Bhutan and India, which joined the HAC in October 2021.
In his prepared remarks (excerpted below), Minister Guilbeault stressed the interconnectedness of the climate and biodiversity crises and asserted that global cooperation is key to conserving and protecting the large intact biodiversity and carbon-rich areas of the world, including the boreal and tropical rainforests and peatlands. “If we do not protect them, biodiversity will not be protected, nor will our climate,” he said.
In making this announcement, Canada joins other nature champions, including the UK and France, that have devoted a percentage of their climate funds to addressing biodiversity. As studies have shown, nature protection almost always results in benefits for climate and biodiversity.
Campaign for Nature praised Canada’s financial commitment to nature.
Today’s announcement from Canada to commit $1 billion to nature in developing countries is a welcome demonstration of global leadership. We commend Canada and Minister Guilbeault for this major announcement. Canada’s $1 billion pledge to nature will help the world meet biodiversity targets and inspire other countries to increase their ambition. We are hopeful that other nations will join Canada and increase their financial support for nature to help address the climate and biodiversity crises,” said Brian O’Donnell, Director of Campaign for Nature.
H.E. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said in prepared remarks:
The current biodiversity, climate and health crises are all interconnected – and to address these crises, scientific research shows that much more of the planet must be kept in a natural state. We urge all parties to commit to protecting and conserving at least 30% of global land and ocean by 2030.
Canada recognizes that we must do our part. We are home to one quarter of the vast boreal forest and peatlands – including a wild expanse around James Bay that Indigenous elders call “the breathing lands.” We are stewards to a large amount of the world’s remaining wilderness. And we have the longest coastline in the world.
That’s why Canada has set “25 by 2025” as a domestic target and we already have a plan and have allocated money to get there -- $2.3 billion to meet our goal of protecting 25% of Canada’s lands and 25% of our oceans by 2025. This will set us on course towards achieving at least 30% by 2030.
Indigenous people will be key to our success. Canada is investing significantly in nature conservation projects led by indigenous peoples, and together we are creating Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.
We need to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and support nature positive outcomes by 2030.
To achieve maximum results, our actions under the CBD and our efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change under the Paris Agreement of the UNFCCC must be much more closely aligned.
For example, we need to work together to conserve and protect the large intact biodiversity and carbon-rich areas of the world – the Boreal, Amazon, Congo Basin, and South East Asia peatlands. If we do not protect them, biodiversity will not be protected, nor will our climate.
Finding the resources to achieve these goals and aligning actions will require both global cooperation and mobilization of the whole of governments, agriculture, corporate and resource extraction sectors, cities, civil society and philanthropists.
We need an unprecedented effort.
That is why I’m pleased to announce that Canada will allocate at least 20 percent of its $5.3 billion climate finance commitment to nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity co-benefits in developing countries over the next five years. This means more than $1 billion.
At COP 15, Canada will support the adoption of an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework that includes the 30 by 30 as a core element.
Forest and Environment Minister, H.E Hon. Minister Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, Nepal, said:
The target 30x30 should be widely accepted as a global target that will help us to halt the accelerating loss of species, and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. I am pleased to announce in this Forum that Nepal would like to join this High Ambition Coalition.
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Baomiavotse Vahinala Raharinirina, Republic of Madagascar, said:
It is important for Madagascar to be at the heart of conservation. On the question of climate change and biodiversity, we live it on an everyday basis. We cannot allow Madagascar to be degraded due to the climate crisis. We need an integrated approach. We need to invest in people so that our solutions work for humans and so there will be no problems conserving biodiversity.
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The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People is an intergovernmental group of 79 countries co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, with the United Kingdom acting as Ocean co-chair, launched at the U.N. General Assembly in 2019 to champion a global deal for nature and people with the central goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the world's land and ocean by 2030. The 30x30 target is a global target that aims to halt the accelerating loss of species and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security. It has been endorsed by the G7 and the IUCN.
MEDIA STATEMENT
COP26: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama Announce New Protections for “Ocean Highway”
Boris Johnson praises new marine protected area; Colombia announces collaboration with leading oceanographer on new expedition to explore second area
Editor’s note: Photos are available here and here.
Tuesday, November 2: Drawing attention to the critical yet overlooked role oceans play in keeping the planet cool—in addition to safeguarding species and supporting food security—the leaders of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama launched a new marine protected area to be called the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR).
The new area serves as a thoroughfare for tuna, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, whales and other animals. These animals move along the ocean corridor to feed, meet each other, reproduce, and give birth. As a result, the Eastern Tropical Pacific is also one of the most abundant fishing areas in the world, providing millions in South America with food and incomes. And it is home to coastal mangroves, which protect people against tropical storms.
All of these benefits are currently under threat due to overfishing, which also threatens turtles, sharks and other ocean life. Granting strong protections to the Eastern Tropical Pacific can help this area thrive again.
The decision by Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama to establish this marine protected area demonstrates the strong and growing political will to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030. Right now, only 7% of the ocean is protected.
Also at the event, President of Colombia Iván Duque announced a new two-month expedition in partnership with National Geographic Pristine Seas to assess marine life along the Eastern Tropical Pacific superhighways and other areas in Colombia’s waters.
Members of the expedition will use a manned submersible, remote cameras and other high-tech tools to explore the ocean to full depth. The goal of the expedition is to survey current marine protected areas and to identify new potential areas.
Earlier in the day, President Duque had pledged to protect 30% of the country’s land and ocean by 2022—eight years ahead of the global target of 2030. He also said that Colombia will protect an additional 16 million hectares of marine protected areas—on top of the 12 million hectares already protected.
Last month, the EarthShot Prize, the Royal Foundation’s new global prize for the environment, recognized Costa Rica (winner) and Pristine Seas (finalist) for their conservation work.
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister said:
Today we welcome the joint announcement by Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama on the declaration of a marine protected area covering the Marine Corridor of the Eastern Tropical Pacific. This bold and ambitious new initiative is crucial for conservation efforts in this beautiful region, and as long-standing advocates for ocean protection, the UK stands ready to support these countries in this hugely important endeavour. Together, we must do more to protect our world’s most precious resource and today’s announcement marks a significant milestone.
Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica said:
During this COP, one of the key discussions has been about trust. About getting things done. You have seen the signs all over the place saying “Stop the Blah, Blah, Blah. Act Now.” So in this case, these four countries of Latin America, within the Tropics, have decided to take action now and take a first step - to demonstrate that it is possible to protect the ocean. And with this declaration, the four of us are stating that we will create one of the largest, if not the largest, protected area in the ocean in the tropical Pacific.
The message is beautiful from everywhere you see. Us working together, the message of trust. We are not waiting on anybody to come and tell us what the right thing to do is. We know what the right thing to do is and it is to protect these areas and these ecosystems because of what they mean. We know this is going to ensure a future for us, our children and our grandchildren and this is why we are doing it. That is why we are so proud to announce it. We encourage all of the other leaders present at this COP to take similar actions in this and in other fields, because the world requires it.
Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Pristine Seas, said:
Protecting nature is critical to people, the climate and economies. By protecting this important swathe of the Pacific, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama are addressing the climate and biodiversity crises at the same time. We face a major planetary emergency. Solutions like these are what we need to protect the Earth and ourselves.
Contact:
(at COP26) Ellen Wilson, Whatsapp: +1 301 466 3205, ewilson@burness.com
(US) Kirsten Weymouth, Whatsapp: +1 703.928.4995, kweymouth@ngs.org
MEDIA STATEMENT
COP26: Tackle Climate and Nature Crises Together or Risk Irreversible Tipping Points
Monday, November 1: COP26 comes at a critical moment, as increasing scientific evidence shows that time is running out to address the interrelated crises of climate change and global biodiversity loss, and that to solve either, countries must boldly and immediately address both as a single planetary emergency.
The destruction of ecosystems worldwide accelerates climate change and some forests, which used to be carbon sinks have already become carbon sources. Studies show that unless existing natural carbon sinks are urgently protected we could trigger irreversible ecological tipping points that could cause gigantic quantities of carbon to be released in the atmosphere making it virtually impossible to maintain temperatures below 1.5°C warming.
However, nature and community based solutions can provide more than one third of the solution to the climate emergency, and nature is the one climate technology that is ready to deploy immediately. UNEP/WCMC found that conserving 30 per cent of land in strategic locations could safeguard 500 gigatonnes of carbon stored in vegetation and soils – around half the world’s vulnerable terrestrial carbon stocks. Indigenous people play an outsized role as they are the custodians of one third of the world’s intact forests and 80% of all terrestrial biodiversity. Furthermore, nature and community based solutions offer significant co-benefits, linked to climate adaptation, biodiversity, as well as jobs and livelihoods, but they are woefully underfunded.
As world leaders arrive in Glasgow for the climate negotiations, the Campaign for Nature is urging governments worldwide to: significantly increase investment in nature conservation by committing to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030; recognize the custodianship and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities of their collective territories; reflect nature’s contribution and include the recognition and protection of indigenous land rights in NDCs, National Adaptation Plans, LT Strategies; and dramatically and urgently increase financing for nature. CFN is calling for nature to be placed at the centre of the global economy and experts argue it requires an investment of 1% of global GDP. These steps do not replace and must be taken in conjunction with an urgent and comprehensive effort to move beyond fossil fuels to complete decarbonization.
The Campaign for Nature has issued the following statements in advance of the negotiations:
Brian O’Donnell, Director of the Campaign for Nature, said:
Success at COP26 will be measured by the concrete actions and commitments from world leaders to urgently phase out fossil fuels and conserve the most important natural areas for biodiversity and carbon. Protecting at least 30% of the planet by 2030 is the minimum. There needs to be an urgent and major increase in financing to lower-income countries and Indigenous Peoples and local communities from donors and a better recognition from governments about how funding for nature conservation and climate are complementary strategies that must be conceived of and executed together. Investing in land tenure rights and custodianship of Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be central to climate and biodiversity strategies, and it must be one of the major outcomes of this COP.
Enric Sala, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic, said:
It is increasingly understood that protecting or conserving at least 30% of the planet is fundamental to addressing global biodiversity loss, which threatens up to one million species with extinction, but more governments need to recognize its relevance to the climate crisis. Without ambitious efforts to conserve the world’s most important marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the science is clear that no climate strategies will be able to reach the critical goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
Spokespeople at COP26
Director, Campaign for Nature
For more than two decades, Brian O’Donnell has been a leading land and wildlife conservationist. Brian works as the director of the Campaign for Nature, an effort supported by the Wyss Foundation to increase global targets and financing for protected areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Prior to leading Campaign for Nature, Brian helped develop a new long-term protected area financing strategy while consulting with the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
From 2007 through early 2017, Brian worked as the Executive Director of the Conservation Lands Foundation. Brian Led the foundation’s efforts to protect, restore, and expand the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands. At CLF, Brian led a campaign that protected millions of acres of land as National Monuments. Prior to joining CLF, Brian was the National Public Lands Director for Trout Unlimited (TU). He led TU’s efforts to protect U.S. National Forest Roadless Areas, permanently protect more than a million acres in the Wyoming Range, and secure Oregon’s Copper-Salmon Wilderness. Brian also worked for The Wilderness Society where he led campaigns resulting in the congressional designation of the Black Rock Desert and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Areas and dozens of new legislated Wilderness areas throughout Nevada.
Brian has a degree in economics from Rollins College. Brian was a member of the inaugural class of Presidential Leadership Scholars. Brian serves on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Wilderness League and New Mexico Wilderness Association.
National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Founder and leader of Pristine Seas
Enric Sala is a former university professor who saw himself writing the obituary of ocean life, and quit academia to become a full-time conservationist as a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. He founded and leads Pristine Seas, a project that combines exploration, research, and media to inspire country leaders to protect the last wild places in the ocean. To date, Pristine Seas has helped to create 23 of the largest marine reserves on the planet, covering an area of 6 million square km. He has earned numerous honors for his work, including 2008 World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, 2013 Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, 2013 Environmental Media Association Hero Award, 2016 Russian Geographical Society Award, and 2018 Heinz Award in Public Policy. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Sala earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Barcelona and a Ph.D. in ecology from Aix-Marseille University, France
National Geographic Chief Science and Innovation Officer
As chief science and innovation officer at the National Geographic Society, Ian Miller will oversee the Society’s scientific functions to ensure that science continues to be foundational to the organization’s programs for impact and illumination.
Before joining the Society, Miller spent 15 years at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, most recently serving as the director of Earth and Space Sciences. During this time he studied fossil plants, paleoclimate, paleoecology, and tectonics, and he also co-led the Snowmastodon Project, which provided a new benchmark for understanding climate change in the American West.
National Geographic Explorer and Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Centre for Sustainability, Philippines
A community organizer and conservationist, KM Reyes is based on Palawan island in the Philippines. She was born and raised in Australia to Filipino parents, and has lived and worked extensively in Europe, Latin America, and North Africa before deciding to return to her roots and settle in the Philippines. Reyes is co-executive director and co-founder of the environmental nongovernment organization Centre for Sustainability PH (CS), established to organize efforts to create a sustainable future for Palawan by influencing decision-makers and shaping development on the island. CS spearheaded the declaration of Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat, protecting 41,350 hectares of some of the Philippines’ last remaining primary forest in Puerto Princesa.
Founder, Executive Director and President, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust
Callie Broaddus was recently named to the inaugural class of the Explorers Club 50: Fifty People Changing the World the World Needs to Know About. Prior to launching Reserva, Callie was a Senior Designer at National Geographic Kids, where she worked for seven years, cementing her passion for wildlife photography and youth education. She has worked around the world, photographing rhinos in Botswana, documenting sea level rise in the Marshall Islands, and leading Reserva’s participation in research expeditions to the Ecuadorian Chocó.
As an advocate for conservation, Callie has addressed the UN at COP25 Madrid, Kenya’s First Lady and Environmental Minister at Wangari Maathai Day in Nairobi, and hundreds of classrooms online. She is a member of the Rainforest Trust Council and the Cool Earth Advisory Board and serves on the Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants Board of Directors as Secretary and on her hometown Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Board of Directors as Vice President. Callie received her BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia.
Youth Activist, Member of the Board of Directors for Reserva: The Youth Land Trust and Co-Founder of the Reserva Youth Council
Bella Lack is a teen conservationist who began campaigning work at 12 years old. She became an ambassador for the Born Free Foundation, Save The Asian Elephants, RSPCA, and the Jane Goodall Institute in order to help spread the message (especially to youth) around the necessity for taking action to protect remaining wildlife. She delivers speeches in order to aid this goal, including at the People’s Walk for Wildlife, the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018 and she delivered a TEDx talk in Brighton in 2019. Last year she worked on a feature-length documentary—starring primatologist Jane Goodall—in order to uplift solutions to the sixth mass extinction crisis. Bella is currently writing a book called Children of the Anthropocene to highlight the youth who are combatting the environmental crisis, feeling a need to focus on the path ahead and create a new narrative rather than just rail against the current situation.
To Contact:
(at COP26) Ellen Wilson, Whatsapp: +1 301 466 3205, ewilson@burness.com
(US) Kirsten Weymouth, Whatsapp: +1 703.928.4995, kweymouth@ngs.org
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