The Humboldt Institute, a prestigious Colombian entity linked to the Ministry of Environment that conducts basic and applied research on the countrys biotic, hydrobiological and genetic resources of flora and fauna, and compiles and develops the scientific inventory of biodiversity in the national territory, has just presented to the candidates for the presidency of Colombia an urgent agenda for the sustainable development of the country.
The document presents concrete priorities and calls to action to integrate biodiversity into the decisions of the next government. According to this agenda, “the country has the opportunity –and the duty– to recognize its economic and social dependence on nature and turn it into a factor of national competitiveness,” something that is always talked about in political campaigns, but little applied in governments.
Colombia has one of the greatest riches on the planet
The agenda reminds the presidential contenders who will face each other in the first round on May 31 that “Colombia has in its hands one of the greatest riches on the planet,” and that “being the second most biodiverse country in the world is a responsibility and, above all, an opportunity to turn this natural wealth into a real competitive advantage for the country.” It also warns that the next government “must define how the countrys development model integrates biodiversity as one of its central axes.”
“This agenda presents the priorities for biodiversity management in Colombia with the purpose of contributing to a broad, informed and constructive dialogue among the different actors of society and, within the framework of the electoral context, aimed at laying the foundations of a development model that recognizes the value of natural capital as a fundamental axis for the wellbeing, sustainability and competitiveness of the country,” the document states in its introduction.
The Humboldt Institute, which, to achieve its mission, promotes, conducts and coordinates research with entities of the National Environmental System (Sina), territorial entities, academia, Government, private sector, indigenous peoples, black, Afro-Colombian, raizal, palenquera communities, peasants and fishermen, and organized civil society, makes it clear to the candidates that biodiversity directly influences issues such as food security, the productivity of strategic sectors, resilience to climate change, territorial stability, the quality of life of people and access to new sources of international financing.
For this reason, proper management of the countrys natural wealth is a necessary condition to have a more solid, innovative and competitive economy. On the contrary, ignoring it implies assuming greater economic, social and environmental risks in the short and medium term. “Betting on the protection of biodiversity is, without a doubt, a smart decision that brings concrete benefits for the country, in addition to being an ethical issue and an act of responsibility with this and future generations,” the document states.
Concrete risks for the development of Colombia
It also warns that the integrity of ecosystems is an unavoidable condition for any development agenda, and that their deterioration ceases to be only environmental damage and becomes a tangible threat to the economy, security and national wellbeing. The document recalls, for example, that “caring for the environment is the first defense against extreme climate events such as droughts, fires and floods.”
In that context, based on scientific evidence and accumulated experience, the Humboldt Institute proposes guidelines to strengthen public and private decision-making. Sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, health and tourism depend on the good state of ecosystems. Therefore, their deterioration not only implies environmental consequences, it also translates into concrete risks for the development of the country.
Finally, the agenda underlines that aligning biodiversity and climate management “strengthens Colombias voice in global spaces, expands its room for maneuver in international negotiations and contributes to mobilizing resources and strategic alliances for the benefit of the development and wellbeing of the country.”
And it closes with a call to strengthen the articulation between science, public policy, the productive sector and society, as a necessary condition to move toward sustainable development that recognizes biodiversity as a strategic heritage of the country. Now it only remains for it to resonate among the candidates, very receptive during campaigns, but very resistant when they govern.