12 February 2010. The time is now…it is the International Year of Biodiversity! It is the moment to make a difference.
1500 days have passed since I took the reins of the Countdown 2010 initiative. We can be proud of what we have achieved so far together and the journey towards and beyond 2010 will certainly continue.
With this in mind, I decided at a symbolic place and time – Paris, at the eve of the launch of the International Year of Biodiversity – to move on to new challenges. Instead of jetting the globe with 2010 biodiversity speeches, I want to mark the biodiversity year with a personal contribution. On biodiversity day (22 May), I will start my biodiversity pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with my two year old son and a donkey. With each mile I walk, I hope to raise awareness for biodiversity.
I am confident that under the leadership of Hans Friederich, IUCN Regional Director for Pan-Europe, the initiative will continue to grow in Europe and beyond. On 8 March 2010, the Countdown 2010 Advisory Board will meet to discuss and start building the future of the global “post” Countdown 2010 Initiative. As always your input and ideas to the post 2010 Countdown are more than welcome.
As a final message I would like to encourage all of you once again to increase your efforts for biodiversity. 2010 is a unique opportunity, I for one will certainly not miss the chance to spread the word and take action – I hope you won’t either.
Sebastian Winkler