From Bio-imperialism to Bio-democracy Conserving Biodiversity on the basis of ecology and equality

“An ecologically sustainable and just approach to biodiversity conservation needs to begin by halting and reversing the primary threats to biodiversity.”

International Level Stopping aid and incentives for the large scale destruction of biodiversity habitats Stopping aid and incentives for the large scale destruction of biodiversity habitats Stopping subsidies and public support for displacement of diversity by centralized and homogeneous systems of production in forestry, agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry. Stopping subsidies and public support for displacement of diversity by centralized and homogeneous systems of production in forestry, agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry.

**Support needs to be given to ways of life and systems of production that are based on the conservation of diversity, and which have been marginalized by the dominant pattern of development**

All Life Forms Have a Right to Life Need to Recognize: Cultural contexts of biodiversity (sacred seeds, sacred species) provide best methods of conservation Cultural contexts of biodiversity (sacred seeds, sacred species) provide best methods of conservation $$ value ignores conservation and sustenance values $$ value ignores conservation and sustenance values Biodiversity farmers’ and tribes’ contributions to evolution of biodiversity is futuristic, not primitive Biodiversity farmers’ and tribes’ contributions to evolution of biodiversity is futuristic, not primitive

Ensures ecological stability Ensures ecological stability Ensures multiple livelihoods and social justice Ensures multiple livelihoods and social justice Ensures efficiency in a multidimensional context Ensures efficiency in a multidimensional context Biodiversity Ecological instability Ecological instability External control that leads to displacement of livelihoods External control that leads to displacement of livelihoods Efficiency in a one dimensional framework, but undermines it at the systems level Efficiency in a one dimensional framework, but undermines it at the systems level Monocultures “Ecology, equity and efficiency meet” “Ecology, equity and efficiency in opposition”

Violation of the Integrity of Life Patent system and intellectual property rights generate an unstable world because it is the total erosion of local sovereignty Patent system and intellectual property rights generate an unstable world because it is the total erosion of local sovereignty Third world cultural contributions to the evolution of equality are devalued to be treated as mere inputs into genetic engineering Third world cultural contributions to the evolution of equality are devalued to be treated as mere inputs into genetic engineering

“Gandhi has shown us that absolute power based on unethical and undemocratic foundations can only be challenged by a resurgence of the ethical and democratic.”

Biodemocracy: The recognition of… The intrinsic value of all life forms and their inherent right to exit The intrinsic value of all life forms and their inherent right to exit Original contributions and rights of communities which have co-evolved with local biodiversity Original contributions and rights of communities which have co-evolved with local biodiversity

The deeper the devolution and decentralization of rights to biodiversity, the smaller are the chances for the monopolizing tendencies to take hold Gov’ts of the South can only be strengthened by supporting: Biodiversity Biodiversity Diverse communities that co-exist with them Diverse communities that co-exist with them …to prevent the destruction and colonization of the South’s biodiversity