It is 2020 and most of us started the year with a bang, excited about the new decade! We had no idea that a few months down the line we would be living a 'new normal' where by our daily lives would be much different than we ever imagined. Targets set for 2020 have changed! I now understand more the fragility of economies, societies not forgetting ecosystems. I believe many of you including myself , are adopting flexible conditions and trying to stay relevant in our lanes. The Novel Coronavirus has dramatically exposed us to unprecedented times, many are devastated and discouraged!
Just like any other field, conservation has been adversely affected by the pandemic. There are several articles claiming that ecosystems are now thriving due to less human interference resulting from measures aimed at flattening the curve. As much as this may be true in some areas, I believe many conservation efforts have become slower or have halted in some regions. Truth is, conservation efforts mainly rely on support from various stakeholders, such as governments, institutions, corporates, individuals... and many other bodies. With the challenges that Corona has presented, majority of these stakeholders are directing their efforts towards fighting the coronavirus. Corporates that would ideally give towards conservation are now giving towards Corona, and it is understandable because with economies threatened and 'collapsing' the priorities are clear- fight the coronavirus!
However, as we channel our energies towards battling the pandemic, I highly advocate that we should not forget our fragile ecosystems, that have been struggling even before 'the rona'. Issues such as environmental degradation and climate change remain a global crisis and require our attention. These unprecedented times have also revealed unprecedented opportunity to take action. It is in this harsh period that many have realized the spirit of community and how inter-linkages are a necessity in restarting or in the continuity of initiatives. Under the pressure, vital conservation efforts globally are at risk and more than ever, cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges. It has been also said that attacks on nature contribute to health crisis and therefore as we work towards recovery, we should focus on environmental-friendly solutions and those that are sustainable.
However, as we channel our energies towards battling the pandemic, I highly advocate that we should not forget our fragile ecosystems, that have been struggling even before 'the rona'. Issues such as environmental degradation and climate change remain a global crisis and require our attention. These unprecedented times have also revealed unprecedented opportunity to take action. It is in this harsh period that many have realized the spirit of community and how inter-linkages are a necessity in restarting or in the continuity of initiatives. Under the pressure, vital conservation efforts globally are at risk and more than ever, cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges. It has been also said that attacks on nature contribute to health crisis and therefore as we work towards recovery, we should focus on environmental-friendly solutions and those that are sustainable.
Shoot me for this, but we have seen that more stakeholders can give towards broader initiatives including conservation. Corporates, individuals and development partners among others are in the front-line in contributing towards Corona. We appreciate all those going over and beyond for this, but can we channel that same energy towards our environment? We cannot be resilient without nature. With this mindset, we can take accountability for our actions, especially for businesses that underpin the environment. This is the kind of commitment that the environment requires!
Additionally, it is also evident that the digital transformation is crucial in maintaining continuity with operations being remotely managed. During this period, digital platforms have been widely accessed and applied to advance wildlife conservation especially through data flows which give more information for monitoring purposes to improve conservation activities. This promotes processes in fostering a relationship between the natural world and humans by exploring social dynamics between the two. Therefore, the digital leap is a great opportunity to improve engagement in nature conservation alongside practical approaches which are more interactive and both are vital for developing conservation-oriented management actions. This is a wake-up call for many of us, as it is a glimpse of the future of work , digital tools are increasingly becoming a key competency and as conservationists we should adopt digital skills to improve and increase our efforts!
How will the post Covid-19 conservation world look like? I do not have any answers but for me the bottom-line is, as we frantically look into restarting the economy, let us also channel the same energy towards conservation! Conservation should not remain underrated.
I wish you all good health, stay safe!
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