Thousands of people united in hope and commitment to urge action at Biodiversity COP16

By Sarah Brady, Head of Campaign Strategy & Communications, BirdLife International

Hope is the lifeblood of conservation, re-energising and reminding us that there is nothing more important than our fight to save nature. Thousands of you from all over the world joined us at the Biodiversity COP16 in spirit and in voice with your powerful messages calling for change.

We heard from grandparents hoping for a world at peace with nature for their grandchildren to inherit, Indigenous communities calling for world leaders to learn from their rich history of living in harmony with nature, conservationists warning of the consequences of losing nature, and so many more. No matter where we are from, we are all united and connected by our hope.  

We don’t know what the outcomes of Biodiversity COP16 will be but we must use our deep commitment, and our knowledge that conservation works and combine them with hope to provide the fuel for our fight to protect nature. As Sebastian Amler, representative from NAJU (youth division of BirdLife’s partner in Germany) shared at the COP16 Message of Hope event: 

‘‘It’s so hard not to lose faith, but as Martin Luther King once said, we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. That’s our call from youth for the future. We must never lose hope… let’s unite in a shared global movement for peace with nature, we can change because we are the change.’’  

We know that the type of systemic, transformational change the world desperately needs requires a monumental effort. But we take heart that systemic, transformational change has happened throughout our history – from the civil rights movement to the suffragettes – it has always been led by an overwhelming outcry from people across all sectors of our global society. We must all ask ourselves, what side of history do we want to be on? What do we want to say to our next generation who will inherit the world we leave behind?  

Whilst the headlines may also focus on the challenges facing negotiations at CBD COP16, hope and what we call effective optimism guide us. As described by Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International: 

‘‘In the negotiation halls I know it’s tough, but in the margins we are hearing from the most inspiring programmes where people are trying their best to forge alliances, partnerships with local communities, Indigenous Peoples and anyone from all walks of life who want to do everything they can to prevent the nature and climate crisis.’’

We also know there are decision makers leading the battles for nature. Assistant Deputy Minister Tara Shannon, of the Canadian Wildlife Service on behalf of Minister Guilbeault and H.E. Dr Sithembiso G. G. Nyoni, Minister of Environment, Climate & Wildlife for Zimbabwe accepted thousands of messages of hope: 

‘‘I’m truly honoured to be here and to accept letters of hope sent to us by people from all walks of life and communities all around the globe. These are not only inspiring statements but also a reminder of the world we must do here at COP16 and beyond.’’ Assistant Deputy Minister Tara Shannon, of the Canadian Wildlife Service on behalf of Minister Guilbeault.

‘‘The message of hope is whatever we have in the biodiversity sphere, let us look at what we can do to protect it and involve our communities so we don’t destroy it. We are waging a war against those who are waging a war against nature.’’ H.E. Dr Sithembiso G. G. Nyoni, Minister of Environment, Climate & Wildlife for Zimbabwe. 

Feature Image © Shutterstock/New Africa

‘‘I spent every January in Tasmania in the Tarkine Rainforest… it’s hard not to tear up as I speak about it… I have friends who have been put in jail protecting this forest. They put their bodies on the line for these trees that are thousands of years old. When I go into that forest with these people, I have so much hope. It fills me with so much happiness and joy to know how much these people care.’’ An activist speaking at the Message of Hope event at COP16. 

‘‘I am part of biodiversity, that’s my home. My food, my water, my supplies I need to keep warm are there. I am part of that biodiversity and I help to maintain it. My ancestors have proven that, we have been in the continent of North America, also known as Turtle Island for thousands of years.’’  Lillian Trapper, Director of Nature Canada.