European Centre for Art, Culture and Science

The oceans are becoming overfished, the land is becoming infertile, and fresh water is becoming more precious than gold. This series of four debates is about choosing, losing, innovation and consumption for biodiversity, organised by the Taskforce Biodiversity and Natural Resources. Chairman Hans Alders and other members of Taskforce from the world of industry and commerce, science and NGOs will debate the issues involved.

The Taskforce Biodiversity and Natural Resources is organising the series of debates Choose or Lose together with Felix Meritis and the Dutch daily Trouw. Are the government, business circles and citizens really getting to grips with biodiversity and natural resources?

The Taskforce tries to find the best ways and methods for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. How can we work practically on biodiversity in the Netherlands and elsewhere? Which instruments do we deploy? And how do we involve Dutch society? Taskforce wants to answer those questions in order to present a thoroughly grounded advisory document on the future of biodiversity to the Dutch government in 2011.

The Taskforce Biodiversity and Natural Resources was set up in January 2009 as part of the broader Policy Programme Biodiversity and Natural Resources. During the first months of 2010 the Taskforce focused on recommendations to the political parties. At the end of February the Taskforce adapted its working programme to the political reality (the fall of the Dutch cabinet, elections on 9 June 2010). A first draft of the advisory document was shared with the political parties at the beginning of March. Taskforce will present its final advisory document to the Dutch government in 2011.

Debates all start at 20.00 hr in Felix Meritis on 3 June, 7 September, 16 November 2010 and 15 February 2011.