THEME
Biodiversity
The term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the
variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems,
and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural
processes that sustain life.
WHAT IS IT?
Biodiversity at ESRAG
How does biodiversity benefit humanity?
Earth’s biodiversity, now suffering catastrophic losses because of human activity, is essential for human communities to survive and thrive. We depend entirely on nature’s ability to provide us with ecosystem services. Here are some examples. Indigenous plants capture water for our aquifers, keep soil fertile, and prevent erosion. Healthy, unpolluted watersheds protect our drinking water. Terrestrial and marine forests sequester carbon and defend us from drought, heat, sea-level rise, and storm damage. A huge share of the human food supply depends on pollinators, and mangroves and coral reefs provide the habitat for our fisheries. Protecting wild habitats from human encroachment reduces our risk of pandemics.
BIODIVERSITY
Learn more
Flowers for Bees, Hope for the Planet: A Rotary Pollination Campaign
Did you know that the farther pollen travels, the more life is shared? For 120 years, Rotary has built bridges between cultures and continents to carry out global actions that promote peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, provide access to clean water and sanitation,...
Becoming a “Solutionary”: How Hope Can Drive Climate Action
By Natalia Luque, ESRAG Latin-American Correspondent, Member of ESRAG Communications and the Rotary Club Global Zipaquirá, District 4281 Sometimes, when we think about the current environmental situation, we relate it to catastrophe and crisis. Even though we all...
Investing in Biodiverse Landscapes for Economic Stability: A Path to Peace
by Rob Sisson Biodiverse landscapes are vital for the planet's health, offering critical ecosystem services such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and pollination. However, their value extends beyond environmental benefits—they hold the potential to drive...
Take Action on Biodiversity
Through ESRAG, you will discover an array of projects through which Rotarians are protecting biodiversity and advancing many other Rotary humanitarian goals including safe water, community economic development, and health. Examples include regenerative farming, watershed restoration, river clean-ups, planting trees to rebuild soil and provide food, and pollinator gardens. Some of these projects advance resilience and generate new sources of income for communities. For example mangrove projects buffer storms and generate carbon offset credit revenue which communities can use for other needs like education or health care.
Operation Pollination
Operation Pollination enables and encourages Rotarians to engage in pollinator protection and education projects.
Pollinators
The Pollinator Task Force empowers and equips Rotarians to protect pollinators and educate about their importance.
BIODIVERSITY
Featured Projects
Projects surrounding biodiversity.
BIODIVERSITY IMPACT
Resources
ESRAG’s biodiversity theme brings together their
“Life on Earth” activities into one cohesive unit.
What does life on Earth cover?
This Biodiversity covers four great realms that can be visualized in the diagram below.
Biodiversity of Life
Seeking to slow and stop further loss of species
Ecosystem Restoration
Seeking to restore ecosystem services of the web of life
Sustainable Production
Seeking to produce and harvest resources efficiently
Environmental Resilience
Seeking to establish a sustainable balance between humans and biodiversity
Mission
In keeping with the mission for all Rotary Action Groups, the mission of ESRAG’s Biodiversity Task Force is to explore the different avenues of service that are available to the Rotary Family, and specifically to be engaged with projects for Supporting the Environment.
Primary Actions
BIODIVERSITY
Featured Events
Speaker: Mary McLaughlin
Topic: Feeding People, Creating Jobs and Benefiting the Environment
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Speaker: Hosts: ESRAG & RAGCED
Topic: Building a Better World, Pre-RICON Summit
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Speaker: ESRAG's Plastics Solutions Task Force
Topic: People gather from around the world to connect, learn, and explore collective wisdom.
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