The Fifth Assembly of the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) was hosted in Cancún, Mexico on 25th-30th May. GEF is the main financial mechanism for environmental projects throughout the world. Grupo Ecológico Siera Gorda I.A.P. (GESGIAP) was a GEF partner from 2001-2009, receiving support for our “Conserving the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve’s Biodiversity” project. This initiative was managed in conjunction with the UN Development Program (UNDP) and Mexico’s Commission of Natural Protect Areas (CONANP).

As a result of forming part of the network of international GEF organizations, Pati Ruiz Corzo was invited to participate in the forum, together with representatives from 87 other countries and members of government institutions, international organizations and civil society groups. During the assembly, Mrs. Ruiz Corzo met with different actors and members of government, opening new opportunities for the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. The aim of the assembly was to find solutions to the global environmental deterioration.

During the Assembly, participants reflected on the severe challenges facing the planet, which are all too commonly reduced to economic development vs. the health of the Earth. At the moment, the earth is losing important ecosystems at an alarming rate, meaning that nature’s services that we depend on, such as water capture and biodiversity protection, are collapsing.

If we look at evidence from world-renowned scientists, it feels like we have lost the battle. We are faced with environmental deterioration, indifference of the majority of society, consumption patterns that are hard to change and an ever-growing demand of products and services. But as the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve shows, it is possible to work together at a community and regional level to protect the environment and respond to the challenges posed by climate change without sacrificing sustainable development. Now, the challenge is in replicating initiatives like these on a much broader scale.

For more informacion, please contact camillabarnes@sierragorda.net

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