International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). The Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. International Union for Conservation of Nature in Russia

The problems of barbarous use of forests, irrigation of lands and the disappearance of species and populations of animals to one degree or another now face each country. That is why, in the middle of the last century, a world environmental protection structure was established that operates on a non-commercial basis. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources conducts special work on the planning and implementation of environmental measures, has a multi-stage system and unites more than one thousand experts working all over the world. We will get to know this organization more closely.

IUCN Scope

Being the oldest and independent body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been operating for 77 years, since 1948. The program of the Union's activities is regulated by the World Environmental Strategy adopted in 1979. IUCN, which has the status of a consultant to UNESCO, ECOSOC and FAO, includes 78 countries, nearly 900 governmental and public organizations, more than 12,000 scientists and experts from 181 states. The Union publishes the Red Book, popular scientific literature, serial and special issues. Located in the Swiss Gland, the headquarters of the union has never changed its place of deployment.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): mission

Unambiguous name defines the main idea of IUCN:

• Effective assistance to the environmental movement in preserving the uniqueness, integrity and characteristics of various natural complexes;

• Ensuring the lawful and reasonable consumption of natural resources that does not violate the environmental sustainability of the planet as a whole.

Having an observer status with the UN General Assembly, IUCN cooperates not only with intergovernmental institutions, but is ready for dialogue with any association striving to conserve resources.

Objectives of the organization

The main objectives of the IUCN are:

• combating the disappearance of species and the reduction of biological (species) diversity;

• preservation of existing ecosystems in integrity;

• Monitoring the wise use of resources.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources seeks to unite joint efforts and apply progressive scientific knowledge in environmental protection.

Implementing the adopted international conventions, IUCN helps various countries to develop and apply national strategies, environmental actions and plans.

Structure

IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and it includes:

• the state;

• government agencies;

• public organizations;

• non-profit associations.

Coordinates the activities of the Union Governing Council, elected by organizations that are members of the IUCN. The work of the union is carried out within the framework of six commissions and is carried out mainly by volunteers on a gratuitous basis. The strategy and the program of the association's activities are adjusted every four years by member organizations. IUCN projects are financed from the resources of governments, international foundations, various associations and corporations, as well as members of the Union.

IUCN activities

The multi-faceted work of the union has several directions. Here are the main ones:

• highlighting the problems of the biological diversity of the planet Earth and searching for their solutions;

• monitoring and scientific research;

• publication of news and articles of experienced experts of world importance;

• organization of various nature conservation measures of global importance, for example, World Parks Congresses, etc.

Scientific researches and their orientation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature is trying to apply the scientific and practical potential existing today to preserve species diversity and support sustainable consumption of forest resources.

Priority is the development of a consistent policy for forest conservation in the implementation of policy decisions. IUCN consults various companies whose activities are related to forest land. The adopted program of the Union for the Conservation of Forests on the planet coordinates the work for the protection, restoration and sustainable, but reasonable use of them. As time shows, lessons learned from the results of active field research are used in making political decisions at different levels of government.

The work on the aspects of the sustainable livelihood strategy on Earth, published in conjunction with the WWF and UNEP in 1991, outlines the main criteria applied to specific projects that integrate issues such as environmental needs along with the needs of the population.

How does the IUCN work?

The association's activities are carried out in six directions, within the framework defined by the commissions:

• Survival of species. This Commission maintains the Red Lists, develops recommendations for the conservation of endangered species and applies them in practice.

• On environmental law. Promotes the promotion and adoption of environmental laws, the development of modern legal mechanisms needed for environmental purposes.

• Environmental, economic and social policies. It provides qualified expert assistance in resolving political issues adopted in accordance with regional socio-economic factors.

• By education and communication. Develops strategies for the use of communications for conservation and sustainable consumption of resources.

• Management of ecosystems. Assesses the management of natural (natural) and artificially created ecosystems.

• World Commission on Protected Areas.

International Union for Conservation of Nature in Russia

Our country did not stand aside. Within the framework of the adopted European program, since 1991 an operational office for the Commonwealth countries has been opened in the capital, which subsequently grew into a representative office.

The creation of this structure in Russia will make it possible to achieve the implementation of high-quality security projects on the vast territory of Russia and the CIS.

The main directions of the mission are as follows:

• the utmost conservation of forests, their rational consumption;

• maintenance of biodiversity of flora and fauna;

• establishment and subsequent maintenance of an ecological regional network on the Eurasian territory;

• protection of endangered, unique and rare species of representatives of the natural community;

• development of rational and sustainable agricultural production;

• development of the Arctic Program.

Institutions representing Russia in the IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is represented by many countries. Our country is represented in the union today:

• Ministry of the Russian Federation for Natural Resources and Ecology.

• Ecocenter "Zapovedniki".

• World Wildlife Fund.

• Wildlife Conservation Center.

• Society of Naturalists in St. Petersburg.

• Fund for wild animals in Khabarovsk.

How to become a member of IUCN

Membership in the ranks of IUCN is honorable and should be justified and confirmed by appropriate activities. In order to achieve it, you need:

• To have the status of a state, public or scientific and research organization, whose activities pursue environmental goals: efficient use of resources and maintenance of a sustainable natural balance.

• Draw up and send an application for membership of IUCN.

• Wait for an answer. The International Union for Conservation of Nature assesses the contribution made to the conservation of nature and the conformity of the organization's work to the purposes of the Union.

• If approval is received, the organization gets access to the Internet portal, publications and takes part in consulting or expert work.

It should be noted that only organizations can claim membership in the IUCN. But individual members of the commissions can also act as individual experts.

The edition of the Red Book is one of the achievements of the IUCN

The most famous aspect of the activities of the IUCN, which is overseen by the Commission for the Survival of Species, is the publication of the Red Book. Since 1966, she periodically goes to press. Over time, and changes in the environment, its releases are being updated, representing an extensive catalog of populations and species of animals classified by the threat of extinction. It also provides an assessment of the state of the species for the current period and predicts the subsequent dynamics - negative or positive. The publication of each issue is preceded by a deep analysis of the state of nature. For example, the analytical work carried out by IUCN in 2000 marked a negative dynamics of depletion of the world fauna. It is noted that over the past four hundred years, the planet lost nearly 700 species, and 33 disappeared in the wild, preserved only in culture. The peak of this disastrous process occurred at the end of the 20th century and continues to this day.

Unfortunately, the forecasts for the future are even more terrible. According to IUCN's in-depth research, almost 5,500 different species are on the verge of extinction. The Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature is a document that has served as a significant impetus for the emergence of national and regional Red Lists that raise environmental problems in limited areas. The work done to preserve the habitat is priceless. That is why the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is a vitally important association that holds back the destructive work of man against himself.