From the 2nd to the 16th of October, join the #BiodiversityInOurHands Social Media Action!

This October, we invite you to be part of a global movement to defend biodiversity and stand with local communities. From Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2nd to World Food Day on October 16th, take action by sharing a photo of a plant, seed, crop, food, insect, animal, or ecosystem that represents biodiversity in your area. Use the hashtag #BiodiversityInOurHands and tell the world why protecting biodiversity matters to you and your community.

Let us also show the world that biodiversity belongs in the hands of people, not markets! Tag local farmers or initiatives working to protect biodiversity, and together, let’s amplify the call to keep nature in the hands of those who nurture it.

Defending Biodiversity in the Hands of Local Communities

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Biodiversity is the essence of life, intricately weaving together ecosystems, species, and cultures. It forms the foundation for resilience, sustenance, and the richness of our planet. However, in an era where nature is increasingly viewed as a financial asset, the responsibility of protecting biodiversity falls heavily on the shoulders of local communities and small farmers. These groups have been the custodians of biodiversity for millennia, preserving it through traditional knowledge and sustainable practices. Their deep ecological understanding fosters a harmonious relationship between human activity and nature, in stark contrast to the industrialized, extractive models that dominate global agriculture today.

The growing threat of the financialization of nature represents a critical challenge to biodiversity. Promoted by powerful financial actors, this trend seeks to commodify biodiversity, as well as nature’s essential functions, through mechanisms like biodiversity credits and Nature Asset Companies (NACs). These schemes, while presented as tools for conservation, actually pave the way for the privatization of ecosystems and the marginalization of the very communities that have nurtured them. The financialization of nature risks reducing biodiversity to a series of tradable assets, subject to market fluctuations and controlled by distant, profit-driven entities. This new form of bio-imperialism could lead to the destruction of ecosystems, as financial interests determine which aspects of nature hold value and which do not.

Local and indigenous communities are the frontline defenders against this dangerous trend. As they protect 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity across 22% of the Earth’s land, their role in safeguarding our planet’s ecological balance is irreplaceable. Their sustainable practices not only conserve biodiversity but also restore ecosystems damaged by industrial activities. Yet, the push for financialization threatens to exclude them from their ancestral lands and sever their connection to the natural world they have long stewarded.

It is essential to stand against the commodification of nature and uphold the integrity of biodiversity as a common good. By defending the rights of local communities and ensuring that biodiversity remains in their hands, we can protect the ecological and cultural systems that sustain life on Earth. Only through a holistic, regenerative approach can we counter the destructive forces of bio-imperialism and build a future where biodiversity thrives, ecosystems are restored, and justice prevails for all life forms.

Resources

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Campaign: Biodiversity is Life, Not an Asset Class
2024

This campaign challenges the financialization of nature and biodiversity, emphasizing that biodiversity is life, not an asset class for profit-driven financial schemes.

The CBD Must Resist the Commodification of All Life
December 2022

A critical analysis of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s approach, arguing against the financialization and commodification of biodiversity.

Is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Enough to Protect Biodiversity?
March 2023

This article examines the effectiveness of the Kunming-Montreal framework in addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss and promoting genuine conservation efforts.

Safeguarding Biodiversity for the Regeneration of the Land
July 2023

Discusses the role of biodiversity in land regeneration and sustainable agricultural practices.

The Attempted Destruction of Biodiversity-Based Cultures
December 2023

Analyzes the threats to land-based cultures and their knowledge systems from industrial agriculture and bio-imperialism.

Biodiversity is Life: For Ecological and Social Regeneration
February 2023

This publication discusses how biodiversity conservation can drive both ecological and social regeneration, fostering resilient communities.

Biodiversity is Life: Graphic Novel
June 2024

An engaging graphic novel that illustrates the importance of biodiversity and the threats posed by its commodification.

Biodiversity is Life: Illustrated Booklet
2023

This publication emphasizes that biodiversity is the foundation of life, and any effort to commodify it undermines the intrinsic value of ecosystems. It showcases the importance of holistic ecological perspectives in protecting biodiversity.

Key DATES

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October 16th Vasundhara: Celebrating an Organic Future of Food Systems on World Food Day at Navdanya Biodiversity Farm, Dehradun

Vasundhara is one of the names of Mother Earth. For the last 3 decades Navdanya has celebrated Vasundhara as a gathering of regenerative organic farmers. Vasundhara 2024 will both look back at our roots and look forward to Seeding the Future.

Between October 2nd (Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary) and October 16th (World Food Day), there are a few other significant days that could be relevant to the theme of biodiversity, sustainability, and local communities:

October 4th – World Animal Day: This day highlights the importance of protecting animals and their habitats, which directly ties into biodiversity conservation.

October 13th – International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Focuses on reducing disaster risks, which aligns with the importance of resilient ecosystems and communities that protect biodiversity.

Ideas for Action

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Support Local Food Systems

Encourage local communities and small farmers by purchasing locally grown, organic, and biodiverse foods. By supporting local food systems, you contribute to the preservation of indigenous seeds, sustainable farming practices, and the protection of biodiversity.

Resist the Financialisation of Nature

Advocate against policies and schemes that commodify nature, such as biodiversity credits. Educate yourself and your community about the dangers of turning ecosystems into financial assets and support movements that promote nature as a shared, living commons.

Promote Regenerative Agriculture

Engage in or support regenerative agriculture practices that restore ecosystems, enhance soil health, and foster biodiversity. By promoting these methods, we can regenerate the Earth’s systems while providing nutritious food and sustaining local livelihoods.

Join Seed Saving Networks

Participate in or organize seed-saving initiatives. Exchanging and saving seeds is a powerful way to maintain biodiversity, resist corporate control over food, and empower communities to sustain their own agricultural systems.