The WILD Foundation carries urgent conservation message to Copenhagen Climate meeting on
behalf of over half of the world's largest conservation groups
Boulder, Colorado - 10 December 2009 -
Sounding an
urgent call to integrate nature conservation with climate action, The WILD
Foundation, a Boulder based nonprofit organization, launched the Message from
Merida at their recent World Wilderness Congress (WILD9, 6-13 November, Merida,
Mexico) and will carry this message to the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference.
Signed onto
by over half the world's largest conservation organizations, the Message from
Merida calls for
" the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to recognize that large-scale nature
conservation is a first-order climate change strategy for both mitigation and
adaptation, and is necessary to address both the climate change and
biodiversity extinction crises, and to protect and restore the ecosystem
services, such as freshwater supply, on which all humans rely. "
Over sixty
groups are signatories to the Message from Merida including the IUCN
World Conservation Union, the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society,
Conservation
International, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, ProNatura (Mexico),
Australian
Wilderness Society, Sanctuary Asia, Canadian Parks and Wilderness
Society, and
Wilderness Foundation Africa.
"The
widespread support for the Message from Merida reflects deep international
concern that the climate talks ignore the fact that about 20% of emissions come
from destroying wild nature, more than all the emissions from all the world's
automobiles. This must change if we are to stop climate change." Locke added.
Mexican
President Felipe Calderon opened WILD 9 by linking nature conservation with
climate change. At the Opening Ceremony he said "This is why I congratulate The
WILD Foundation for three decades of tireless efforts, because thanks to you we
know there is a direct relationship between wilderness protection and curbing
global warming".
The Message
form Merida was issued by the executive committee of WILD9-the World Wilderness
Congress and initially endorsed by eighteen conservation organizations. Since
then signatories have been coming in from many countries "We are overwhelmed by
the response from organizations from around the world who want to join us in sending
this urgent message" said Harvey Locke Vice President for Conservation Strategy
of The WILD Foundation.
Cyril Kormos
WILD Foundation's Vice President for Policy will carry The Message from Merida
to Copenhagen next week. The Message can be downloaded in its entirety, in
English, French and Spanish on The WILD Foundation's website.
About The WILD Foundation
Founded in 1974, WILD is the only
international organization dedicated entirely and explicitly to wilderness
protection around the world. WILD works to protect the planet's last wild
places and the wildlife and people who depend upon them, because wilderness
areas provide essential social, spiritual, biological and economic benefits. We
believe that intact wilderness areas are an essential core element of a healthy
modern society. www.wild.org
The WILD Foundation
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Vice President for Conservation Strategy
The WILD Foundation
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Communications Director
The WILD Foundation
717 Poplar Ave
Boulder, CO 80304 USA
Phone: (303) 442 8811
Fax: (303) 442 8877 www.wild.org
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Founded in 1974, WILD is the only
international organization dedicated entirely and explicitly to wilderness
protection around the world. WILD works to protect the planet's last wild
places and the wildlife and people who depend upon them, because wilderness
areas provide essential social, spiritual, biological and economic benefits. We
believe that intact wilderness areas are an essential core element of a healthy
modern society. 
