Developing nations need ecological support
As an environmental journalist, I have read many reports about the conservation of biodiversity. However, only one remains fresh for me, and the same question has cudgeled my brain since I read it: how can people in areas with rich biological diversity really benefit from those resources without damaging their surroundings?
The report opened with a conversation between the writer, a Western journalist, and a skinny man with a gun hanging over his shoulder, who was hunting animals for food on the Ethiopia-Sudan border.
The writer asked the man if he would stop killing animals. Instead of answering the question directly, the man pointed at the potbellied journalist and said, “Look at your belly and then at mine.”
The story then turned to discussion of a highly controversial issue, whether it would be ethical to allow the trading of stockpiles of ivory in some poor nations. While this part failed to impress me too much — I strongly oppose ivory trading — the end of the article was really thought-provoking.
The writer recalled a conversation he’d had with a Masai man in Kenya. He asked if the man’s tribe would stop killing lions as part of the traditional celebrations to mark a young man’s coming of age.
The man replied, “Did you have lions in your country?” After being told “yes” (although a long time ago), he fired off another question: “Where are they now?”
I think that question is not only applicable to the Western journalist but to everyone around the world. As the world develops, many species are dying out. As we speak increasingly loudly about biodiversity conservation today, it seems that we have yet to find a solution to address the root causes of why species become extinct.
Some developed countries managed to get rich at the expense of their bioresources. Now, already wealthy, they point their fingers at nations that still boast a rich variety of life and say, “You should protect them”. However, the problem is that many of these nations are poor, and to a large extent lack the necessary capabilities, both in terms of finance and technology, to conserve biodiversity.
Under this scenario, I think support from developed nations and the continuing efforts of developing countries are key to preventing further loss of biodiversity, which is a common asset of humanity.
If they don’t offer sufficient support, I would consider the demands of rich countries irresponsible and hypocritical.
Meanwhile, as China continues to construct an ecological civilization — a concept that advocates balanced and sustainable development — I believe the experiences of the world’s largest developing nation in the conservation of biodiversity can be instructive for other poor states.
For example, many povertystricken people and former loggers in China have become rangers protecting the forests that are essential animal habitats. With salaries paid by the government, these people not only no longer take from nature, they also have a better standard of living.
In April, China’s central government issued a guideline about setting up and improving a mechanism to realize the value of well-conserved ecosystems. That is, to help people benefit financially from the ecosystem in which they live and help protect.
I shall not hesitate to share China’s progress in exploring this mechanism. I believe it could greatly help other developing nations form more harmonious relationships between humans and nature.