Protect the world’s land, oceans, and wildlife

WWF is doing exciting work to harness global markets to help end deforestation in tropical forests. They have been a leader in establishing global certification regimes, such as FSC for wood products and RSPO for palm oil. They also were the first to recognize that for each of the most important commodities driving biodiversity loss there were a relative handful of companies that controlled most of the global trade. WWF has systematically engaged those companies to enlist them in driving more sustainable practices in their supply chains including, in particular, controlling deforestation.

EII has been a pioneer in working with Brazilian NGOs and state governments to reduce deforestation in the Amazon. In particular, they have focused on strategies to combine agricultural production with strong forest protection in a viable economic proposition.

In 2006, the governments of Micronesia joined together in a commitment to protect at least 30% of their near-shore marine resources, and 20% of their lands. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has played an important role in supporting the implementation of this commitment. Spanning 6.7 million square kilometers, the Micronesia Challenge represents more than 5 percent of the Pacific Ocean and 61 percent of the world’s coral species. It includes 66 threatened species, more than 1,300 species of reef fish, 85 species of birds and 1,400 species of plants — 200 of which are found only in Micronesia. The Challenge brings together more than 2,000 isolated islands, separated into five political jurisdictions, inhabited by nearly 500,000 people speaking 12 different languages — all working towards the same set of goals.

The much larger countries of Indonesia and the Philippines host vast coral reefs, and hundreds of millions of people. In a program called Fish Forever, RARE is working with fishing communities in those countries to help them find ways to sustain the reefs that are the foundation for their economies and their food security. RARE has a long track record of supporting communities in “Pride Campaigns” to conserve their natural resources. Their work in Indonesia and the Philippines brings those tools to bear on the protection of coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems.

WCS works with partners in Africa to protect elephant populations on the ground, and to secure the habitat they need, while finding creative ways to reduce conflicts between elephants and human populations. WCS is also an influential actor in the international effort to stop the illegal trade in wildlife, working with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and mobilizing public and government support for action.

WildAid has been a pioneer in enlisting celebrities and media in public campaigns to end trade in endangered species, with a particular focus on changing consumer attitudes in key markets. Working with Chinese celebrities like Yao Ming and Jackie Chan, they had great success in curbing demand for shark fin. They have now brought those partners and many others to the cause of reducing demand for ivory (where China is the most important market), and rhino horn (where Vietnam plays a central role).