The Ecology Book

311

Moroccan women gather the

health-giving fruits of the argan

tree. These trees in the Arganeraie

Biosphere Reserve are carefully

sustained by the local population.

See also: Human activity and biodiversity 92–95 ■ The ecosystem 134–137 ■ The peaceful coexistence of man and

nature 297 ■ Renewable energy 300–305 ■ Environmental ethics 306–307 ■ Sustainable Biosphere Initiative 322–323

ENVIRONMENTALISM AND CONSERVATION

as the World Network of Biosphere

Reserves (WNBR). These set out

to show how human cultural and

biological diversity are mutually

beneficial and encourage the

balanced integration of people with

their natural environment. They

also sought to find ways to manage

natural resources efficiently for the

benefit of the environment as well

as its inhabitants.

There are now over 650 sites

around the world, providing a

platform for collaborative scientific

and cultural research in a range

of marine, coastal, and terrestrial

ecosystems. Through the network,

the program monitors the effects of

human activity on the biosphere,

particularly examining climate

change, and fosters the exchange

of information.

Local knowledge

The MAB program recognizes

three interconnected functions of

a biosphere reserve: conservation;

sustainable development; and

support though education and

training. These objectives are

achieved by zoning areas within

the reserve to protect core

locations, whilst simultaneously

providing places for appropriate

and sustainable development by

local inhabitants.

To this end, communities are

encouraged to participate in the

management of the reserve, and

use their local knowledge of the

area to make the best use of natural

resources. The idea of educating

people about the environment and

sharing knowledge across the

World Network is key to the

success of the project as a whole.

Conflicting opinions

The sites of the WBNR, as well as

being of international scientific

significance, are often culturally

important to the host state. They

are not nominated by UNESCO, but

by national governments, and they

remain under the jurisdiction of the

states they are in. International

recognition of their status does not

impinge upon the rights of those

states over the Biosphere Reserves.

In recent years, some states

have chosen to manage certain

sites as national rather than

international reserves and have

withdrawn them from the program.

Nevertheless, there has been a

steady increase in sites nominated

for the program from governments

around the world. ■

UNESCO

UNESCO, an agency of the UN

based in Paris, France, was

founded in 1946 to promote

international collaboration for

peace and security. It was

established in line with the

United Nations Charter, through

education, science, and culture.

Today, the organization has 195

member states.

UNESCO continues the work

begun by the League of Nations

International Committee on

Intellectual Cooperation in the

1920s, which was interrupted by

the outbreak of World War II.

Today, members aim to achieve

their objectives by sponsoring

international educational and

scientific programs. These

include dedicated projects

that promote and protect

human rights and sustainable

development, while encouraging

cultural diversity.

The organization is perhaps

best known for establishing

internationally recognized World

Heritage Sites, which aim to

preserve as many aspects as

possible of the world’s diverse

cultural and natural heritage.

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