Healthy ecosystems produce goods and services that provide livelihoods for people and the potential for economic development. These include fresh water, agricultural productivity, fisheries, forest products, energy and protection from natural hazards. But when human activity degrades the environment, these goods and services decline, hampering economic and social development and leaving rural, marginalized communities more vulnerable.
About conservation and social policy
New climate change network
There is a growing recognition in discussions here in Poznan of the role that nature can play in helping people adjust to the impacts of climate change. Governments and environmental and development groups at the United Nations climate change conference are increasingly supporting such an approach. …
05 Dec 2008 | News story
Helping people adjust to climate change
IUCN has established a new network to help people suffering the effects of climate change learn how to cope with it. The Ecosystems and Livelihoods Adaptation Network, set up with the help of WWF and the MacArthur Foundation, will link up organizations that help people already feeling the impacts of climate change on the ground. To listen, click here. …
05 Dec 2008 | Audio
Social perspective on agenda at UNFCCC
IUCN's Senior Gender Advisor, Lorena Aguilar, says these negotiations show a more people-centred approach to dealing with climate change for the first time. To listen, click here. …
04 Dec 2008 | Audio
Ecosystems and Food
What role for conservation in enhancing food security for the rural poor? This was the question posed to a multi-stakeholder panel brought together at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. …
04 Dec 2008 | News story
Save nature to fight climate change and reduce poverty
Rising sea levels, violent storms, melting glaciers, droughts and floods – all caused by global warming – will spell misery for millions of people, as they lose their homes, food and drinking water. …
02 Dec 2008 | News story
Making REDD Work for the Poor
This Poverty Environment Partnership (PEP) report is dedicated to the increasingly popular topic of 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation' (REDD). Making REDD Work for the Poor outlines how the design of REDD could infuence its poverty implications and the key requirements for ensuring that REDD works for the poor. …
29 Oct 2008 | Downloads - document
Women still absent in climate change debate
Lack of women’s participation in efforts to solve climate crisis was the main focus of the Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance held from 19 to 22 October in
24 Oct 2008 | News story
Spiritual Conservation
Spiritual and Religious leaders came together at the IUCN World Conservation Congress to explore how religious and spiritual traditions can support conservation. …
10 Oct 2008 | News story
Power to the people
There is increasing understanding about the links between conservation and poverty reduction-how the livelihoods of millions of the rural poor depend on healthy ecosystems. The challenge is putting this understanding into practice, involving local people in decisions about, and management of the natural resources on which they depend. Gonzalo Oviedo explains some of the issues and what's needed to address them. …
09 Oct 2008 | Video
The movers and shakers
It seems the old ways are always the best. The Equator Prize, announced during a ceremony at the Congress, recognizes the work of communities who are conserving biodiversity and generating income through traditional methods. …
08 Oct 2008 | News story
