Stemming from the collective realisation of
the importance of the diversity of genetic resources
and the mounting threats to those resources, the concept of biological diversity first appeared at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Ten years later in Johannesburg the need for action was reiterated
and a commitment made to curb the loss of biodiversity by 2010.
France has been particularly active in this global debate. At national level, a research programme on biodiversity was launched in 1992. It led to the establishment eight years later of the Institut Français de la Biodiversité, under the aegis of the ministries of foreign affairs, research and the environment. The institute is a scientific body in charge of coordinating initiatives by all the relevant research organisations.
At an international level, in June 2003 the French president announced to the G8 in Evian his intention of mobilising competencies on the issue of biodiversity and proposed that France organise an international scientific conference in support of this initiative.
This book is part of that effort, and its publication precedes the international conference on “Biodiversity: Science and Governance”, which will be held at Unesco
in Paris from 24 to 28 January 2005. The following pages seek to contribute to the debate by outlining the current state of knowledge on biodiversity through articles by French scientists from research organisations as varied as Cnrs, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Inra, Cirad and Ird.
This book also hopes to initiate a strategic discussion of the prospects and measures to be taken in order to preserve biodiversity and encourage its sustainable use.
The questions addressed give an indication of the implications for our societies and the scientific challenges facing the research community. How does biodiversity affect land and marine ecosystems, and the environmental resources and services they provide? In what way are global changes leading to the emergence of new diseases and how can we protect ourselves against them? Have we entered a phase of massive extinction, and which policies are required to halt this trend, a goal to which the world committed itself at the Johannesburg Summit? What must we do and how much time do we have to act and make development sustainable? Which strategy of research on biodiversity ?
The contribution of French scientists to the analysis of the phenomena at stake and to strategic discussion is presented in a way that is easily accessible to the lay reader and is intended to foster debate between scientists and citizens. The implications of biodiversity concern us all.
The measures to be taken relate to the very workings of our societies and our own behaviour – in energy, transport and the sometimes thoughtless use of natural resources. It is vital for us to take stock of the current situation and the outlook for the future.
The overview presented in this book, which cuts across numerous disciplines, represents a major contribution to France’s strategy on biodiversity for sustainable development. It reflects our country’s determination to break new ground to inform the international community about, and alert it to, challenges crucial to the future of our planet.
Michel Barnier
Ministre des Affaires étrangères
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