By Dr. Russell Mittermeier
GUYANA is a truly privileged country, a ‘green’ country; indeed, one of the greenest countries on earth. It is biodiversity-rich, it is freshwater-rich, and it is set for rapid economic nature-based growth. As the heartland of the Guiana Shield, it will shape the future of the Region through its green economy choices.It is therefore most timely that ‘International Day of Biodiversity’ falls on the day that begins the week celebrating the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Even as the country marks the occasion of its birth as a nation, it is also an occasion to celebrate and recognize its stewardship of this amazing natural heritage.

The Guiana Shield is the largest remaining block of intact primary tropical forest on Earth. It has a critical role to play in mitigating climate change and conserving globally important biodiversity and livelihoods. The region contains the highest per cent of primary forest cover on Earth, with over 90% still intact; produces up to 15% of the world’s freshwater, and has the lowest human population density of any major tropical wilderness area in the world.

The region is also of crucial importance for climate change adaptation. Due to its huge area of intact forest, the core of the Guiana Shield is predicted to be especially resilient to climate change, providing a refuge for biodiversity and ensuring the maintenance of critical ecosystem services, such as the world’s most voluminous water cycles, in perpetuity. In fact, more than 70% of the region has been considered a priority for both biodiversity and the production of critical ecosystem services.[box type=”shadow” align=”alignright” width=”300px” ]Dr. Russell Mittermeier, President Emeritus and Executive Vice-Chair, Conservation International, is a primatologist and herpetologist by training. He is regarded as a world leader in the field of biodiversity and tropical forest conservation; has travelled in over 160 countries, and has worked in the Guiana Shield for over 40 years. Named a “Hero for the planet” by TIME magazine, Dr Mittermeier has helped promote the concept of “avoided deforestation” (now known as REDD+) by highlighting the importance of tropical forests in mitigating climate change, and has also been a leader in highlighting the importance of species-focused ecotourism.[/box]

In sum, the Guiana Shield demonstrates how Nature is an essential component in the fight to prevent large-scale climate change; and beyond that, to demonstrate how Nature must underpin any future efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Indeed, given that there is growing recognition that tropical forests may provide as much as 50% of the solution to the climate crisis, it is not just wise, but absolutely essential that those countries fortunate enough to still have high forest cover are provided the greatest opportunity to do everything possible to conserve it into the future.

But we must also be aware that the ecological value of the Guiana Shield is under threat. The region has the largest portion of recognized investment opportunities based on extractive industries, while isolated communities lead culturally rich yet globally threatened livelihoods. Characterized by immediate availability of investment funds and global demand, intensive extraction of natural resources is among the few immediate economic development opportunities perceived to be available.

Illegal mining is also widespread in the region. In the context of a rapidly growing population, the urgent need for electricity and other services for isolated villages and towns is driving investments, while improved roads will lower transportation costs and increase access to, and pressure on, the region’s natural capital.

While these developments will generate income, they can come at a high price if unplanned and unregulated. Destruction of critical ecosystems that mitigate global climate change, provide food and freshwater, and support local livelihoods will ultimately make future generations exceedingly vulnerable to external shocks, and place the long-term sustainability of the region at risk.

I have been working in and visiting the Guianas for over forty years, and I have always been impressed by the vision and leadership shown by the people of the Region. In the midst of the harsh realities of cash poverty, there has always been great pride in considering the needs of future generations, especially in the way people care for Nature. And it is impressive that successive Guyanese administrations have embraced the pursuit of a model development path which places the maintenance of natural capital at its centre. This was again reinforced most recently when His Excellency, President David Granger, pledged to allocate another two million hectares of forest for conservation. This is truly historic in its value and impact, and provides a major cornerstone to Guyana’s Green Economy.

Apart from contributing towards meeting Guyana’s international commitment under the Convention of Biological Diversity, it further demonstrates the seriousness with which Guyana continues to take its commitment to Nature.

I congratulate President Granger on this bold and visionary move. This is exactly the kind of leadership and visionary thinking that we need throughout the world.

The theme for today’s International Biodiversity Day is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.” It reminds us that while we celebrate the immense value of, and applaud our commitment to, Nature, our efforts in conservation have a fundamental relationship to the well-being of people. This is oftentimes best seen at the local level, where there is a strong dependence of communities on fresh water from creeks and rivers; and food, medicines and building materials from forests. But over the last several years, as the world experienced some of the most intense weather patterns, scientists and decision-makers have come to realize that we depend on Nature, and that Nature doesn’t depend on us!

For a country like Guyana, where there are so many intact ecosystems and so much potential to grow an economy without losing natural capital, Conservation International is proud of its association with the Government and People of Guyana. From the work we do, which range from the very local level to the productive sector, to the highest levels of government, we continue to be inspired by its people.

Happy International Biodiversity Day! Happy Independence! Congratulations on the huge and visionary commitments that you have made to date. We all look forward to Guyana becoming one of the world leaders in demonstrating that a green, truly sustainable nature-based future is the best alternative for the world as a whole.