WildAid Ambassadors Support CoP15: Act Now to Start the Movement

Kunming, China – October 11, 2021 – As the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of Parties (CoP15) opened today in Kunming, China, WildAid, China Environmental News, and the China Wildlife Conservation Association launched a new billboard campaign series calling on the public to help protect biodiversity. These ads featuring WildAid ambassadors, including pianist Lang Lang, actress Yang Zi, actors Huang Xuan and Wang Yibo, will run throughout China from October 2021 to May 2022.

CoP15 will convene governments from around the world to agree on a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 framework process and eventually achieve the vision of “Living in harmony with nature” by 2050. “These ten years are a critical period for reversing the loss of biodiversity. It requires everyone to act, including governments and individuals,” said Yu Chong, WildAid China Chief Representative. “This campaign encourages the public to value biodiversity and join these efforts by taking their own actions such as saying ‘no’ to illegal wildlife.”

Biodiversity is a complex term that includes species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. Not only does the stability and health of the earth depend on biodiversity, but the survival and development of humans also depend on the services provided by healthy and diverse ecosystems, including water, food, medicine, clothing, energy and other resources, as well as climate and hydrology. Species are already impacted by anthropogenic climate change, as its rapid onset limits the ability of many species to adapt to their environments. Climate change is currently affecting 19% of species listed as Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, increasing the likelihood of their extinction. Other key drivers of biodiversity loss ranked by the IPBES Report are changes in land use, direct exploitation of organisms, pollution and invasive alien species.

China Environmental News is the trade newspaper of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, widely read across the country. We are fortunate to again partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, which works closely with the government to protect wildlife, develop resources and rescue endangered species. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment is the host ministry for COP15.