Youth for Biodiversity Conservation

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make"- Jane Goodall

Biodiversity plays a crucial part in providing humankind with immense benefits. Our existence is dependent on biodiversity and the derived ecosystem services. These services are available in the form of provisioning (water, food, fibre, medicine, fuel), regulating (water, climate and diseases regulation), supporting (soil formation, nutrient cycling), and cultural (recreation, aesthetic, educational and spiritual) services.

As stated by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the Condition and Trends Working Group found that over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, freshwater, timber, fibre and fuel. All these have led to wildlife habitat destruction, climate change, the introduction of invasive species, pollution and exhaustion of natural resources due to increasing human overpopulation.

Biodiversity conservation is the need of the hour! To ensure the conservation of the remaining biodiversity and natural world, we have to work consistently towards addressing damage to ecosystems and species, protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainability, so that we live in harmony with nature.

Youth for Biodiversity Conservation

The youth have a significant role to play in addressing, protecting and working towards biodiversity conservation. First, let us understand who is the ‘youth’ that we are talking about. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), “youth” is defined as an individual aged between 18 to 35 years. According to Indian National Youth Policy 2014, youth age is between 15 to 29 years and this constitutes 27.5% of the total population. The exact definition of youth varies across the world. Youth is generally understood as the period between childhood and adult age but youth can also be defined by the qualities of vigour and freshness. We (the youth) are continually evolving, born in a technology-driven world and hence are very tech-savvy, highly energetic and aligned to problem-solving. We have the interest and enthusiasm to participate in and support environmental activities and projects.

Photo: Youth engagement in Miyawaki forest project at Planet Earth Foundation (PEF) (https://www.pef-india.org/)

We have given a few suggestions on how the youth can aim to conserve biodiversity and work towards a sustainable future for all!

1. Lead a sustainable lifestyle

Leading a sustainable or eco-friendly lifestyle is one of the easiest choices for individuals to contribute to conserving the environment and protecting the natural world. Every single small step such as using reusable jute or cloth bags instead of plastic bags, using a bamboo brush or pen or other bamboo stationery and toiletries, planting native flowers that attract honey bees, consuming organic fruits and vegetables, can make much of a difference. We should always remember to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle and Rethink!

Photo Source: Bamboo India (https://bambooindia.com/)

2. Participate in Environment days

The youth’s active sustainable participation in biodiversity or environment-related days will help emphasise the aim of promoting the protection of various wild species and advocating the message of environment protection for the wellbeing of one and all. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) celebrates several environment days and hosts multiple initiatives to provide open platforms for youth participation.

3. Attend certificate courses, webinars or pursue a biodiversity conservation degree:

Completing certificate courses, attending webinars or pursuing an academic degree in biodiversity conservation, in natural sciences or related fields is one of the foundational steps how the youth can start understanding and learning about biodiversity and the natural world. This paves our way for a future career contributing to biodiversity conservation.

4. Volunteer in conservation NGOs

The youth can volunteer in various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for learning and assisting in biodiversity surveys, wildlife rescue related activities, outreach and communication, providing technical support, coordinating with team members in projects or generating awareness among communities on the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Photo: Interns during biodiversity survey, Photo Credit: Susheel Asode, Field Intern, PEF

5. Organise or support Campaigns

One of the ways we can show our support for biodiversity conservation is by uniting, discussing, carrying out campaigns or supporting various campaigns/ petitions (online or offline) for protecting the flora and fauna of the world. Our young and energetic minds can lead this conversation and be heard by the whole world and secure our future.

Several platforms and channels have been created by the youth for the youth aim to gather and act on the global pressing issues before it gets too late. These platforms share ideas, advocate for prioritising biodiversity, help understand our ecosystems better, develop empathy for wildlife and mobilize masses for taking action. A few of them are Global Youth for Biodiversity Network (GYBN), Global Young Greens (GYG), Students Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) etc.

6. Attend and connect on regional, national and international forums

The young minds can attend, participate and connect in regional, national and international forums or summits where we can learn from diverse backgrounds and put forward our ideas on the various topics related to biodiversity conservation and hold meaningful discussions with like-minded youth.

Connecting with youngsters, local organisations, groups and clubs will make the youth feel supportive and even more enthusiastic to learn about local issues, conduct awareness activities at the school and college level and act towards solving the issues on the ground. We can also organize webinars, offline seminars, training or workshops (online or offline) on biodiversity and highlight the importance of conserving nature. We can also start a green club in our institution or community.

Photo: Conservation Education Programme (CEP) sessions in a school in Chiplun conducted by PEF members Siddhi Damle and Mayuri Sawant

7. Enhance conservation-based skills

Conservation art, bird watching, wildlife photography, communication, wildlife species identification, mapping, ecological surveys, conducting nature trails are some of the conservation-based skills, which can be improved by the budding conservationists to participate efficiently and creatively in conservation platforms. We can start by adopting such interesting hobbies and enhancing and building our skills and interests. Pursuing a career based on these skills and chosen interests is possible and this can help us build our expertise under the guidance of individual mentors and organisations.

Photo: Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus), Photo Credit: Minar Salvi, Field Intern, PEF

8. Conservation Research

Research-based knowledge strengthens the youth in working towards biodiversity conservation. With our intensive knowledge and research skills, it becomes much easier to work systematically for on-ground conservation. Improving our research-based skills helps generate quality outputs in the form of scientific publications. This is communicated among the research community to understand, learn, grow and contribute to science-based management to protect biodiversity. A conservation research career is possible for us in many government and non-governmental organisations.

9. Professional career

Numerous professional career opportunities such as fellowships, internships and vacancies are available in NGOs, government organisations and corporate sectors. Learning about conservationists/organisations across the world and the positive impact created by them can help us understand and apply for such opportunities. Pursuing a professional career in biodiversity conservation can help us contribute to the protection of nature consistently.

10. Engage in policymaking

When our young minds keep ourselves updated on the decision-making front, We can influence the policymakers to carry out environment supportive actions. Protesting or submitting petitions and spreading awareness through social media platforms about the beneficial or detrimental policies of the government, can generate awareness among society. We can even become part of the decision-making process, engage in participatory workshops or even become a decision-maker ourselves.

Photo: Volunteers participated in People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) data collection for Kadegaon Nagar Panchayat through PEF

11. Innovation and Technology for conservation

Innovation is embedded in our energetic young minds. As the youth, we can identify any environmental problem in our local area and brainstorm upon the issue to come up with useful and creative solutions using the latest online information, technology, actions, awareness and social media platforms. We must lead and provide environmental solutions on the ground. We can also put our technical knowledge and skills to generate support for conservation, using tools of remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), bioacoustics, digital platforms, AI and cloud-based technology, data analysis and so on.

Photo: 'GIS for conservation' workshop conducted by PEF team members

12. Become a sustainable influencer

A digital media influencer can inspire and influence the audience by sharing his/her sustainable journey and motivating the audience to do the same through blogs, vlogs, creative posts on digital platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp. A young and sustainable influencer can create changes in audiences’ lives by being a catalyst for those who are willing to work on reducing their carbon footprints. The audience can learn how they can start adopting better and more sustainable alternatives for living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

13. Invest and Support eco-friendly businesses

Sustainable investing/ socially responsible investing or ESG investing is a way of investing through which youth interested in investing, can choose to invest their money in companies based on the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors. Youth can also support eco-friendly businesses by investing in or buying eco-friendly products/services and promoting and using alternatives to environmentally harmful products. The products and services can be used not just for ourselves but also for our friends and family members, to choose a sustainable lifestyle while supporting environmentally conscious businesses.

14. ‘Adopt don’t shop’

Support ‘Adopt street animals’ or ‘Adopt don’t shop’ campaigns run through organisations to help them provide the homeless street animals with shelter, food and love. Also, wild animal sponsor/support campaigns run by conservation-based NGOs help fund the projects related to wildlife species and protect them and their habitats from threats. So, go support one!

15. Raise funds or donate to conservation NGOs

Donating to conservation-based NGOs help support their projects centred around wildlife protection and mitigating biodiversity threats. Our contributions are valuable for saving the lives of many wild birds and animals and safeguarding their habitats. We can also help an environment based NGO by raising funds for their projects!

16. One Health

The “One Health” concept focuses on the idea that animal health, human health, and environmental health are all intertwined and interdependent. Protecting one species helps protect another. Protecting human, animal and environmental health helps achieve the best health of our planet earth. Hence, our mental and physical well-being eventually contributes to the planet’s well-being and vice versa.

Need of the hour

The world needs to recognize the potential youth harbours and reach out to our ideas and beliefs. We should inculcate a basic understanding and conscience in ourselves, and nurture life skills towards careful management and prevention of wasteful use of resources. It is time for the older generations to guide the newer generations, and impart adequate required skills and knowledge for us to be able to hold our positions responsibly. As a youth, we must respect our natural world and put efforts, however small or big, for the well-being of one and all.

Photo: Youth participation in PEF biodiversity projects

The youth of a country is considered to be its backbone. We bring revolutions, are continually changing expectations, questioning the wrong and achieving the impossible. The younger youth are voters who can influence future policies, others are capable of holding decision-making positions in NGOs, industries and government, and can thus, plan and implement decisions. With the energy, maturity and freshness of thoughts that come with this age, only we can accomplish this prudent task of conserving the valuable diversity of plant and animal life in the natural world to protect and make our ecosystems thrive again.

About Planet Earth Foundation (PEF) :

Planet Earth Foundation (PEF) is a registered NGO, established in 2017, working towards biodiversity conservation and developing sustainable communities. Few of the programmes under the organisation include Miyawaki Forest Development, Wildlife Emergency Services (WES) and Conservation Education Programme. We at PEF believe in the important role of the youth in protecting nature through their contributions and efforts. To join us and support us in achieving our conservation goals, you can be a lifetime member or apply for volunteering with us or donate to help to fund our projects.

Website link: https://www.pef-india.org

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About the Writer: Pakhee Kulshreshtha

Pakhee is a young and vibrant intern at Planet Earth Foundation from Delhi, currently living in Pune. She is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Blended Sciences from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Her hobbies are bird-watching, trekking, cycling and writing poetry. She has won an award for poetry writing from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) and has recently started an eco-club in her university. She believes if we work together meticulously on the smallest of steps to reduce our carbon footprint, advocate and put efforts for biodiversity conservation, we can conserve the environment and aim for a sustainable future.