Preventing biodiversity loss through seed saving

To correspond with the UN CoP11 conference taking place in Hyderabab at the moment, another important event has been elevated onto the biodiversity agenda.

Author Carrie Byrne, 10.10.12

To correspond with the UN CoP11 conference taking place in Hyderabab at the moment, another important event has been elevated onto the biodiversity agenda. The Seed Freedom Fortnight has been launched by the Global Alliance for Seed Freedom and takes place from 2nd October (Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary), to 16th October (World Food Day).The plan is to awaken a global response in citizens and governments through intensive action with regard to the important issue of seed saving.

Every year, 1-2% of crop diversity is lost and around 75% of crops present during the early 1900’s have disappeared. In India, ever since the green revolution and due to various impacts of economic globalisation, moves towards genetic engineering and seed patening (by a handful of multinationals) have impacted the ability of citizens to access, save and cultivate seeds , directly affecting the ability of citizens to access valuable sources of basic foods.

Simple actions by ordinary citizens can contribute to this movement and can have an enormous material as well as symbolic impact on this important cause in the fight for biodiversity protection.Events taking place during the Seed Freedom Fortnight as well as possible actions that can be taken by ordinary citizens and activist groups can be accessed here. Watch the video above  for more information on the issue of seed freedom and the importance of seed saving.

Author: Carrie Byrne/ RESET editorial

TAGGED WITH
Ghana’s Citizen Science Strategy to Track Plastic Pollution at Home and Abroad

Ghana's initiative to monitor and report marine plastic pollution using data generated by the public represents a milestone in citizen science.

Sebastian Schels
Achieving More With Less By Building Simply

Houses constructed using a simple-build approach leverage high-tech processes for low-tech solutions, as well as smart structural design, to achieve maximum energy efficiency.

©
Not Enough Updates: Do Refurbished Smartphones Have a Software Problem?

The software update promises made by mobile phone manufacturers remain insufficient. Is this a problem for refurbished phones?

Trash-Eating Mushrooms Are Being Deployed to Eat Demolition Debris

Just as fungi can contribute to the construction of a building, it can also play a part in breaking down demolition debris.

Planting Seeds in Building Construction: How Living Walls and Digital Technology Are Enhancing Sustainability

Living walls are a practical — and beautiful — way of adding greenery while lowering heating emissions in our cities. Here's how technology could be used to aid them.

How a New Battery Regulation Should Make Europe’s Batteries More Sustainable

A green future needs sustainable batteries! A new battery regulation in the EU should create better conditions for this in the future. But how does that work exactly?

Torge Peters
Sustainable Building Revolution: This CO2 Heavyweight Needs a Rapid Transformation

The construction, heating, cooling and disposal of our buildings accounts for around 40 percent of Germany's CO2 emissions. How can the transformation succeed and what do sustainable digital solutions look like? This is the subject of our latest RESET Greenbook.

Giving Old Computers to Young People Is Better for More Than Just the Environment

When office computers become too old, they all too often end up on the scrap heap. The association "Hey, Alter!" gives them to young people instead. This is not only more sustainable, but also an exciting opportunity for digital education.