CONSERVATION International (CI) on Wednesday launched a new organisational identity that clearly links biodiversity conservation with human well-being as it seeks to make the point that humanity can no longer consider itself as something apart from the rest of life on earth.

“If we – and the generations to come – are to maintain our quality of life and improve the lot of the billions of people who are poor and hungry, we need to rethink our relationship with the planet. We have built CI’s new identity and a new approach to our work around this concept and introduced a new mission and vision statement and a new corporate logo.
Essentially, our message is this: people need nature to thrive,” said a statement from CI.

The release said that CI’s new approach is based on six priority initiatives aimed at enhancing global food security, climate security, freshwater security, health security, cultural security and the long-term contribution of diverse species of plants and animals to human well-being.

Peter Seligmann, CEO and Chairman of Conservation International, said: “Without healthy ecosystems, we would not have the food, water and stable climate that all societies depend upon. Our challenge is to reshape the most powerful social force of our time – development – to include a deep-rooted understanding that the conservation of nature with its full complement of species and ecosystems is essential to economic growth and human well-being.”

The release pointed out that for nearly a quarter of a century CI has been a world-leader in finding pragmatic, effective solutions to the world’s environmental problems, and has worked closely with heads of state and governments, the world’s largest corporations and philanthropists, other non-government organizations and civil society groups in more than 40 countries around the world to ensure the survival of the world’s most valuable ecosystems and species.

“Our success is rooted in ensuring that conservation generates clear benefits for the people who live in and rely on the important places where we work. CI’s new organizational identity builds on this with a more intense focus on how a healthy planet better supports humanity, and how development must be managed to make this possible,” he said.

Mr. Seligmann added: “Our new logo represents our new mission and strategy, and most importantly, our vision of a healthy blue planet supported by a sustainable, green development path.”