I want to know what are the most prominent projects carried out by the CBD and how they help in developing countries, like Egypt for example.
Thanks
Answer
The projects funded by the financial mechanism of the Convention, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), cover a broad range of ecosystems, and issues in biosafety. In Egypt, a number of projects are being supported, focusing on protection of biodiversity of coastal and marine areas and the development of national biosafety frameworks.
Name
Rekha
-
Profession
Question
I am very interested in conservation activities and such. How does the CBD promote conservation of indigenous communities and indigenous knowledge? Also, how are these people protected if they are not capable of protecting themselves. Can you please give examples?
Answer
The Convention on Biological Diversity has a program of work on the protection of traditional knowledge, practices and innovations of indigenous and local communities. You can review the program on the website of the Convention (www.biodiv.org). It includes guidelines to be followed for activities to be carried out on sacred sites. These guidelines were developed in consultation and with the full participation of indigenous and local community representatives. An international regime on access and benefit-sharing is being negotiated whereby elements are proposed to protect such knowledge and to ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from its utilization. Indigenous and local communiy representatives are key partners in the implementation of the programme of work mentioned above.
Name
Mera
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Profession
Question
H
i Dr. Zedan.
I have heard recently of biosafety issues. But i dont' think the knowledge of biosafety is widespread enough.
Why isn't there more awareness on biosafety matters in the developing world? And how are we affected by this, for example GMOs and such.
Answer
With the commercialization of GMOs and other biotechnology-related products, the safety of these products to human health and the environment became an important issue. This has led to the negotiation and adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a legally binding agreement under the CBD. The objective of this protocol is to ensure the safe handling and use of these organisms. In collaboration with the governments which have signed the Protocol, we initiated an awareness program on this matter. However, more needs to be done to educate the general public. You may wish to consult the CBD publications on this matter, which are found on our website (www.biodiv.org)
Name
heleen
-
Profession
Question
If we are not decision makers - how can we help preserve our environment and ecosystems and even our wellbeing if most of the damage comese from big industries and factories.
Also, the talk on gmos is irrelevant if we do not have a say on it. What can we do, if really the most beneficial actions should be made from governments.
Is there a way we can live a healthier and more environmentally friendly life style regardless?
Answer
The people are the governments and as such should be able to influence decision-making. We have to change our patterns of consumption with a view to sustainable use of ecosystems and to ensure the continuity of goods and services produced by these ecosystems. I know it is difficult, but collaboration with non-governmental organizations would promote awareness, and bring about desired change. Society should hold the industries accountable to the damage caused to the environment.
Name
Hani
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Profession
Question
Salamaliakim doctor,
I would like to know how the cartegena protocol is being applied in third world countries and it's significance to us?
Answer
The Cartagena Protocol deals with different categories of genetically modified organisms such as those for intentional introduction into the environment such as genetically modified agricultural crops, or fish as well as those for direct use for food, feed, and processing (for example, genetically modified soy beans). It gives Third world countries the right to assess the potential risks and make informed decisions as to whether to allow or not the importation of such genetically modified organisms. The Protocol provides detailed procedures to facilitate decision-making processes by Third World Countries. The Protocol is significant to developing counrties because it has a compliance mechanism and is developing a liability and redress regime. Both would ensure safety of GMOs exported to developing countries.
Name
May
-
Profession
Question
This year's theme for Biodiversity Day, as I read, is LIfe Insurance for a Changing World. Can you please explain this to me?
Answer
Biodiversity provides the material we need for food, clothing and shelter and ensures health and contributes to human well-being in many other ways, such as provision of clean water. It is central to sustainable development and in protecting society from the consequences of unexpected shocks such as water shortages, emergence of infectious diseases, and the consequences of extreme weather events, such as the recent tsunami. It helps economic development and the improvement of the living conditions of the world's poor. However, unsustainable patterns of production and consumption reduce biological diversity and threaten its capacity to sustain the production of the goods and services upon which we rely. As such, conservation of biological diversity provides insurance for our needs in a changing world.
Name
kkk
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Profession
Question
Is all damage to ecosystems irreversible? Or is some damage reversible?
Answer
Some damages are reversible. All will depend on the extent of damage. Ecosystems can recover over time if the damage is minimal. The greater the diversity of species in a given ecosystem, the greater its resiliance and its ability to adapt to change.
Name
Mohammed
- United States
Profession
student
Question
Dear, Brother in Islam,
Assalamu Alaikum!
I have the following questions that I have been trying to get answers about for a long time. Please, be kind enough to look thru the question and answer me at your earliest convenience.
1. When we buy coffee from a store like Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks is it Halal? Because these stores carry pork related products. Also is it Halal to eat croissant or donuts because they cut the donuts or croissant with the same knife that they have just cut a pork sandwich with? Finally is it Halal for a Muslim to own a business like this(specifically Dunkin Donuts/Starbucks etc) where pork is being sold given the fact that the Muslim has no choice but to sell pork because it’s a corporation and the owner must abide by the corporations law? And also the people who work there how about their income –IS IT HALAL? Please answer my question according Quran and Sunnah. Zazak Allah Khair.
2. We all have children and all children loves pizza. So, when we go out they ask for pizza, and we ourselves sometime eat pizza. Now my question is will it be Halal if we eat pizza from a pizza store which sells pork pizza and cook everything in the same oven? Also the cook who prepares the pizza uses the same hand he just used to cook a pork pizza. Also when they slice the pizza they slice the pizza with same cutter they use to cut pork pizza.
3. Is it Halal for a Muslim work in a western restaurant where they work as a waiter & sell wine and Pork. Given the fact that the Muslim waiter especially open wine bottle, carry them to the guests and also serve dishes that are made out of pork. Will the earning of this muslim be HALAL? Also the other muslim that works in other department for example in the coffee department where they only makes coffee and don’t touch pork or wine but their earning comes directly from the sell of pork and wine –will their income be HALAL?
4. Finally, lots of our muslim sisters works in supermarket as a cashier where they have to physically handle pork although they are wrapped up to ring it in for prices, and make an earning from an establishment which sells pork and wine will their income be halal?
I would greatly appreciate your prompt response.
Zazakallahu khairun.
Answer
You do your best to observe and respect the requirements of your religion. However I believe that your questions should be referred to a religious cleric. Jazak Allah Khair.
Note from Editor: You can browse for an answer for your question at the Fatwa Bank or submit it in a Live Fatwa session. Thank you very much for your confidence in us.
Name
Sana
- United States
Profession
student
Question
Asalamualykum wr wb,
What we do as individuals to help the environment. I feel that a lot of people know the damage they are doing to the environment but fail to come to terms with it.
Answer
The small choices that individuals make add up to a large impact because it is personal consumption that drives development and production that would impact on the environment. By carefully choosing the products you buy, the government policies you support, and by active partipation at the community level, the general public can begin to steer the world towards sustainable development. We all have a responsibility to lead and inform the public, but finally it is individual choices made billions of times a day, by ordinary people that count the most.
Name
Margret
-
Profession
Question
How can we control over-exploiting of resources?
It seems that there is not much we can do.
Answer
As I explained in the previous question, we all need to make educated choices with regard to consumption patterns which drives production and development trends.
Name
Tim
-
Profession
Question
Do you deal with patent laws on indigenous knowledge as well? Is that one fo the ways you protect these people?
Answer
We deal with issues related to the protection of traditional knowledge to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such knowledge. More detailed information on the issues with respect to traditional knowledge may be found on our website (www.biodiv.org)
