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

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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.

Pollinators

Operation Pollination enables and encourages Rotarians to engage in pollinator protection and education projects.

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Watersheds, Rivers, Oceans

Cleaning the Rivers of the World provides support, leadership, and
fellowship for its members and…

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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

The three primary actions are to:

PROVIDE EDUCATION: we need to provide the best understanding of nature, the best management practices for sustainability, and the best interrelationship between humanity and the life on Earth that supports our daily existence.
BUILD PARTNERSHIPS and SPONSORSHIPS: there is a multitude of organizations at all levels of society that are actively engaged in supporting “Life on Earth”, some will be our collaborators and cooperators, others will seek our volunteer support, and others will be seeking to support us. The opportunities are endless.
TRACK OUR PROGRESS: In ESRAG we call this Project Impact Reporting (PIR). This is not only the place to showcase our Rotary Action stories but also to monitor our progress on Effective Conservation, asking the question “How well are we doing?” and being able to have an evidence-based answer.

BIODIVERSITY

Featured Events

On & Off Grid with Small Wind
Speaker: Mike Bergey, Alice Hoffman
Topic: Two seasoned renewable energy experts will discuss how small wind can be cost competitive as the primary power source or through multi-technology solutions.
August 19th 2022 at 8:45 am (GMT-06:00) Central Standard Time
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Global Grants Workshop 1-ESRAG Projects Division
Speaker: Nilam Bedi, May O'Brien, Christopher Puttock, Salvador Rico, Mina Venkatamaran
Topic: The goal of this Global Grant Workshop is to guide prospective applicants through the steps from the initial idea of a project to being awarded a Global Grant for Environment Area of Focus.
August 20th 2022 at 12:00 pm (GMT +00.00) Greenwich Mean Time (Dublin)
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Life Below Water Symposium
Speaker: Lis Mullin Bernhardt, Barry Rassin, Dr. Chris King, C. Mark Eakin, Vic Grosjean
Topic: Sustainable development to transform our world.
September 1st - September 6th 2022 at 8:00 am (GMT-04:00) Atlantic Standard Time(PuertoRicoandUSVirginIslandsTime)
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Healthy Soils: Rotary Zones 26/27 Environmental Summit
Speaker: Jim Ippolito, Roy Pfaltzgraff, Lisa Eash, Steve Fonte, Pankaj Trivedi
Topic: soil biology, cover crops, tillage pros and cons
September 10th 2022 at 3:00 pm (GMT +00.00) Greenwich Mean Time (Dublin)
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Green Transportation and Clean Energy: ESRAG Big West Conference
Speaker: Nancy Pelosi, Nuria Fernandez, several transportation & energy experts
Topic: strategies for green transportation, liveable cities, clean energy now and in the future
September 10th 2022 at 4:00 pm (GMT +00.00) Greenwich Mean Time (Dublin)
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Water, from Source to Sea: Zones 26/27 Environmental Summit
Speaker: Paul Watson, Steve Bender, Lori Cloutier, Salvador Rico, John Mathers
Topic: Learn about the crucial link between water and planetary health, and how we each can become an ambassador for clean and healthy water.
September 10th - September 11th 2022 at 4:30 pm (GMT +00.00) Greenwich Mean Time (Dublin)
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Life on Land
Speaker: Laurie Zuckerman, Ilarion (Larry Merculieff), Carey Gillam
Topic: Connecting the World through Sustainability
November 3rd - November 5th 2022 at 8:00 am (GMT-09:00) Alaska Standard Time(Alaska)
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