Ideas, fun and thoughtfulness at the “1. Biodiversity Day” at Bürgerpark Unkel
LIB Director General Bernhard Misof during his talk at the Biodiversity Day, Bürgerpark Unkel. © LIB, R. Moenikes-Peis
Despite the oven temperatures on 8 July, about 70 nature enthusiasts of all ages came to the Bürgerpark Unkel and took part in a varied programme about the world of insects. The whole thing was organised by “Gemeinsam für Vielfalt e.V.”. Excursions, information and ideas that showed how we can become active ourselves were enthusiastically received by the audience.
With Dr Björn Rulik from the Museum Koenig Bonn and Dr Thomas Wagner from the University of Koblenz, the children went hunting for insects in the overgrown areas of the park with landing nets and magnifying glasses. With great success: afterwards, the expedition participants enthusiastically reported catching – and releasing – ground beetles, bugs, butterflies, hoverflies and many other insects.
Michael Stemmer, a scientist from Unkel, demonstrated the consequences of climate change at the nearby Stuxberg: here, a good half of the butterfly species found in Germany can be found. However, many species known from past years are no longer to be found – presumably due to the increasing drought. Instead, more species are now being found that are better able to cope with the warmer climate.
Dr Vera Rduch showed small and large insects in the form of models and specimens under the binocular and explained to the interested participants the methods used to research insects today.
In the course of short lectures, for example by LIB Director General Bernhard Misof, the audience learned that the generation growing up now will already feel the threat of climate change and will have to make do with less habitable space.
Snow White’s poison apple is reality: Dr Thomas Wagner vividly reported on the excessive use of pesticides in conventional fruit cultivation. He encouraged the audience to critically question the origin of food and to influence agriculture through their purchasing behaviour.
The eradication of sparrows by the Mao regime in the 1960s led to famine – today, similarly short-sighted and profit-oriented actions are leading humanity into the worst crisis in its history – existential threats due to loss of biodiversity, said Dr Ignacio Campino.
The journalist and author Sigrid Tinz called for a nationwide ban on the creation of “gravel gardens” and the consistent implementation of the dismantling of existing facilities.
For biologist Stefan Kolling, biotope supervisor and nature conservation manager for the Neuwied district, voluntary commitment is an indispensable factor in biotope conservation, but this in no way relieves political decision-makers of their responsibility.
All speakers and participants in the concluding panel discussion agreed that the man-made catastrophe can only possibly be averted with immediate and consistent action at all levels. This presupposes that politicians finally take the issue seriously and that we all finally take responsibility for our actions and rethink our own consumption behaviour.
