Biodiversity is one of those words in policy documents, speeches, and international meetings that sometimes you are not sure what it means. And unless you are working in the field of environmental studies, it probably is not a word used in a regular, everyday gyaff. Yet biodiversity is woven into nearly every aspect of our life in Guyana. It shapes our food systems, our water resources, our forests, our fisheries, our transportation, and increasingly, our approach to development.
Last night I came across the Environmental Protection Agency's call for Guyanese citizens to complete the National Biodiversity Survey. The survey forms part of Guyana's effort to update its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and prepare its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. More importantly, it is an opportunity for citizens to contribute directly to a national conversation about how our natural resources should be managed in the years ahead.
Too often, public consultations attract those already working in the environmental field. This national survey, however, presents an opportunity for all Guyanese to add our voices to the conversation on conservation, because decisions about land use, protected areas, water resources, environmental education, wildlife protection, and sustainable development affect every Guyanese.
Guyana is in a unique position. We are internationally recognised for our forests and ecological diversity, while experiencing rapid economic transformation. As new opportunities emerge, questions about balancing growth with environmental stewardship become important. Those decisions should not be made in isolation from the people who live with the consequences of our government’s actions.
Public participation matters because our voice matters. What should be protected? What should be prioritised? What environmental issues concern citizens most? What do people believe the government, communities, businesses, and individuals should be doing differently? We have the answers to these questions, and we should respond!
The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and offers a meaningful opportunity for us to help inform future policy on our environment. Once you care about the country's future, you should complete the National Biodiversity Survey.
The EPA has opened the door for our participation. We gah fuh ansuh dem.
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