Columbans at UN meeting to protect Biodiversity

The meeting was a pre-conference to COP15, the next UN Convention on Biodiversity. There were plans to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are respected and to ensure that the voices of youth, women and other key stakeholders in care for biodiversity are listened to.

The Columbans have, for decades, highlighted the fragile state of biodiversity and have highlighted the words of Laudato Si: “The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no such right.” LS #33

Fr. Sean McDonagh, the Columban eco-theologian, wrote a book on the topic in 2004: ‘The Death of life: Extinction is forever.’

“Everyone had high hopes for this Geneva meeting, especially knowing what it means for COP15 and what it means for the future of biodiversity,” reflected Cynthia Gonzales. “We must all continue to work very hard in the next few months to push the work forward for COP15” she added’; “there is a lot to be done specially at the national level.” Delegations, civil society and faith-based organisations are now preparing for COP15 at Kunming in China, which is expected later this year although no date was settled.

Columban highlights from the Geneva meeting included dialogue with other faith-based organisations and participating in an event honouring environmental rights defenders who have been harassed and even killed. The Columban representatives met Holy See representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Msgr John David Putzer, and also held meetings with some country delegations, including the UK delegation. Following a Columban workshop, the UK delegation had received letters from pupils of SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School in Birmingham, calling for biodiversity conservation, and these were much appreciated.