The world is struggling with economics but neglecting the fact that it is also paying a terrific cost for the loss of flora and fauna. This week the International Union for the Conservation of Nature held the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. So why has the IUCN the right to speak out…The IUCN has over 1000 government bodies and NGO organisations as members as well as over 11000 volunteer scientists in 160 countries, 8000 people attended the conference. They also produce the Threatened Species lists and have just reported an ‘Extinction Crisis’ with every 1 in 4 of recorded mammalian species threatened with extinction and consigned to the Red List, this figure could be much higher given that they are data deficient for many species. IUCN also reported that more than half of almost 5500 species of mammals are in decline. Literally hundreds of mammalian species could be lost in our lifetime and remember this is just one small sector of the animal kingdom. Habitat loss and degradation are cited as the main problems.

Step in Teeb.

Based on the Stern Review that gave economic figures to climate change, Teeb is The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity that was set up by the German government with EU funding. It is hoped Teeb could become a powerful mechanism for governments to see just how much it will cost by doing nothing to save deforestation and other biological disasters. It is set to influence policy makers with a view to funding protection of nature. Teeb believes the economics of natural habitat destruction could cost many times the current cost of the global credit crunch and would be continuous. At the basic level a cost is put on water control, flood damage, drought, nutrient loss, harvest loss, species loss, decline in fish stocks and other events with a direct human impact that require human input to balance these effects. Time will tell but it does now seem that those with an understanding of the consequences of destruction of natural resources are now able to talk to policy makers who understand figures better than concepts of global wildlife and wilderness.

Having just returned from the Galapagos Islands it is good to reflect on the wildlife and itineraries for Galapagos tours. Put simply the wildlife exceeded my expectations! On land you are almost tripping over a good variety of bird species and of course marine iguanas. Sea lions, fur seals, turtles and that Galapagos icon, the giant tortoise can all be seen. However, it is underwater that these remote Pacific islands are most amazing. With only a few snorkelling adventures to record previously the underwater world was just phenomenal. The sea in places was a thick fish soup, penguins caught and ate fish in front of my eyes, as in a dream I got to swim with green and hawksbill turtles and had sea lions playing around us. Below were sharks and a variety of rays. It was unforgettable. The opportunities for photography were numerous and the season just right to give some cloud to what can often be a deep blue sky.
I would always recommend at least a week cruising the Galapagos Islands and to choose the itinerary carefully. Nature enthusiasts should try to reach Fernandina and Isabela, islands often not included by some vessels as being too far from the main ‘circuit’. Each island has specific characteristics and you should talk to us to determine your style of Galapagos cruise. In the meantime here are a few images of my recent Galapagos tour and I will try and post a diary of the tour to the website in due course.