Specialists and investigators from Latin America and the Caribbean are ending a workshop to promote the application of a program called "Man and the Biosphere" to protect biodiversity, here in Havana.
Frank Ortiz, responsible for Science from the Regional Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Havana, told Prensa Latina that the meeting is aimed at promoting collaboration between Dominican Republic, Aruba Haiti and Cuba, as well as specialists from Latin America.
Through the workshop "Caribbean Biosphere Reserves in the context of climate change, this group of neighboring countries is seeking to establish cooperatives and support actions to address the problems causing global warming on biodiversity.
The current climate change affecting the planet causes the loss of biodiversity in the region, both in agriculture and breeding and habitat of several animal species, said the expert.
One of the manifestations for the group of countries is the great amount of droughts in the area, causing climate change, affecting irrigation and harming soil care, a necessary step to ensure the reproduction of plants and agricultural labor.
Jonathan Baker, head of the program "Man and Biosphere" in Latin America and the Caribbean from the UNESCO Office in Montevideo, Uruguay, said that Cuba is one of the countries with the largest number of biosphere reserves in the Caribbean.
In that sense, Baker noted that the Biosphere Reserves are one of the most logical ways to address climate change and achieve sustainable development.
Cuba, he added, has many successful experiences in adaptation to climate change, and is a opportunity to share with the rest of the Caribbean and Central America.
"Man and Biosphere" is one of the pioneering programs of the United Nations to promote sustainable development, it not only looks for conservation, it also includes the interaction of people and their communities with nature.
Similarly, the Colombian Durcey Stephens, CEO of the Corporation for the Sustainable Development of San Andrés and Providencia, acknowledged the Cuba advances in the management of biosphere reserves as an enriching experience for the rest of the region.
Meanwhile, Gloria Santana, head of the Wildlife Department of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Dominican Republic praised the exchange of information that allows the workshop to manage reserves.
Santana told Prensa Latina the influence of extreme poverty in the loss of biodiversity.
The main problems are related to said daily use of the population.
In natural ecosystems, the main species are found in areas where poverty is most extreme, and therefore there is a greater use of biodiversity.
"The hungry people has nothing to do with plans and regulations," said the Dominican expert.
However he assured can rely on people to make sustainable use of biodiversity.
Participants perform today a field visit to the Biosphere Reserve "Sierra del Rosario" in the Cuban province of Artemisa, west of Havana.
Source: PL