1. Mr Schops, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at
Rio + 20: “Our efforts have not lived up to the measure of the
challenge”. How do you evaluate the efforts from a protected areas management perspective?
I. Schops: Well, I think Ban Ki Moon was correct in his answer. It seems that the more the world is aware of the big problems – like Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss – the less the developed countries are willing to tackle the problems. This is sad. There is a problem with this decision making process. A top down approach doesn’t work anymore. Now we need to involve more stakeholders and integrate several policies. And that’s what I strongly believe in: Finding local solutions for global problems. (Re)connecting society with our precious earth we call our home.
2. Since 1992, nothing seems to have changed when it comes to species conservation and climate change. From a EUROPARC perspective, what potential for change do you see?
I. Schops: I really see a huge opportunity here for the EUROPARC Federation! Shoulder to shoulder with partner organizations. Did you know that the sum of all the areas managed by affiliates of EUROPARC Federation is, I think, nearly 15% of the EU surface? If you add the areas of some other nature networks in Europe, the number might rise to over 20%! Besides our core business most of us are finding models for the socio-economic challenges and problems in Europe! This is a strategic interesting position we all need to be aware of. In March this year I attended “Change Nation” in Ireland together with 50 other Ashoka Fellows from across the world. Trying to find sustainable solutions for their economic problems … I can tell you, the natural heritage is a hot topic! Look into Greece: there, the environmental world can find good solutions and at least solve a bit of the problems! As EUROPARC Federation we need to be aware of our value and take the responsibility and the lead for a sustainable future. Together with our partner organizations, we can do it!
3. What is in EUROPARC´s eyes “the future we want”?
I. Schops: The future we want we can find in the localization of globalization. “Think globally, act locally and change personally”! We need to start with ourselves. Simple things society can adapt to: one veggie-day a week, cycling, public transport, etc. We have the future in our hands! Interesting is to look into the conclusions of the world “trend watchers”: They predict that the future can only be successful if we can provide projects and developments which are “LATTE-proof”. LATTE as an acronym for Local, Authentic, Traceable, Trustworthy and Ethical. And that is what all members of the EUROPARC Federation are doing, day by day: Proving our work is LATTE-proof. If we all work together, future generations will inherit a beautiful, sustainable world, full of biodiversity …! Yes, we can! I am a believer. Are you?
EUROPARC Federation annual conference this year will be held in Belgium, Genk. During the conference the 20th anniversary of the EU Natura 2000 will be celebrated (October 22-24). The main theme is (Re)connecting: (Re)connect nature to nature, (Re)connect people to nature, (Re)connect business with biodiversity and (Re)connect policy with practice. Over 300 people out of 36 countries of Pan-Europe will participate and exchange ideas.
Maybe a good moment to be there! More information you can find on the website of EUROPARC Federation.
