Past project

Biodiversity Revisited

Aspiration: In 2021 and beyond, fresh ideas, narratives and engaged networks continue to transform into action through research, policy and practice for nature and people. Networks of engaged partners and participants further embed the Biodiversity Revisited story, ideas and new framings into their activities of teaching, sharing knowledge and designing global networks and projects for research.

If the decline in biodiversity is a problem, why have efforts to conserve it been ineffective? Is there a more inherent problem in how ‘biodiversity’ is conceptualised and managed that undermines actions? Biodiversity Revisited is the first comprehensive review of the concepts, narratives, governance, science, systems and futures underpinning biodiversity science since the emergence of the term in the 1980s. The initiative aspires to spark – in future generations of researchers – a new and more interdisciplinary set of pathways for research toward regenerating just and diverse life on Earth, and has resulted in an innovative research and action agenda.

Biodiversity Revisited is a Luc Hoffmann Institute initiative in collaboration with WWF, Future Earth, ETH Zurich Department of Environmental Systems Science, University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute and the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research at University College London, and exists thanks to generous funding from the NOMIS Foundation, the MAVA Foundation and WWF International.  The journal Nature Sustainability endorses the initiative.

Download BIODIVERSITY REVISITED: Research and action agenda for sustaining diverse and just futures for life on Earth

Key Themes:
  • Power and Legacy
  • Interdependence and Inclusivity
  • Communication and Narratives
  • Operational and Funding Models

Latest highlights

Aspiration
© Stuart Samuels
In 2020, engagement grew across the media – especially digital and academic – building on existing Biodiversity Revisited narratives. As a Nature Sustainability article published in August 2020 gained traction in social media communities, Biodiversity Revisited’s principles and messages found new and different audiences. #BiodiversityRevisited has been mentioned thousands of times on Twitter to date, with journal citations including in Cambridge University’s Environmental Conservation further fuelling online conversations as well as a feature in the NOMIS Foundation’s SPARKS magazine. #BiodiversityRevisited
Acceleration
1 July 2020
The Biodiversity Revisited research and action agenda is published, rethinking the approach to biodiversity research for the coming years, with justice and diverse voices at the centre of our efforts.
Research and action agenda
Acceleration
11 June 2020
A panel of three emerging, cross-sectoral leaders come together virtually with Melanie Ryan, Head of Programme, to discuss the development of the Biodiversity Revisited initiative as part of the WWF Fuller Science for Nature series.
Fuller Seminar video
Acceleration
February 2020
The essay compilation Seeds of Change is published based on foundation questions for the discussions at the Biodiversity Revisited Symposium in September 2019. The essays explore new concepts, narratives, science, governance and systems for a diverse and just future for life on Earth.
Seeds of Change
Acceleration
© Jon Hutton
23-24 February 2020
At the World Biodiversity Forum, 20 members of the Biodiversity Revisited initiative, including many early career essay contest winners, meet at The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center to advance the development of the research agenda.
Acceleration
© Jon Hutton
February 2020
A core group of 18 members of the Biodiversity Revisited initiative meets at The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center to begin drafting an innovative, five-year research agenda in an environment that facilitates deep, creative thinking.
Acceleration
June – October 2019
The #BiodiversityRevisited conversation skyrockets on social media. Luc Hoffmann Institute Twitter followers triple from 1000 to almost 3000 followers.
The Luc Hoffmann Institute on Twitter
Acceleration
18 September 2019
An article by journalist John Vidal appears in The Guardian, citing the Biodiversity Revisited Symposium and pressing for innovation and change in approaches to nature conservation.
We’re losing species at shocking rates – so why is conservation failing?
Acceleration
September 2019
Biodiversity Revisited Symposium participants share their thoughts on the future of biodiversity conservation in short video interviews.
Snippets from the Biodiversity Revisited Symposium
Acceleration
© Jessica Villat
September 2019
The Biodiversity Revisited Symposium takes place in Vienna, bringing together interdisciplinary thinkers including journalists and scientists from the natural and social sciences. This picture shows the early career essay competition winners who joined the symposium.
Incubation
July 2019
Provocative thought pieces are sourced from around the world.
Here is one example from Madhurya Balan, Collaborator at The Forest Way.
Incubation
May 2019
“Biodiversity Revisited is an exciting project. It offers an urgently needed opportunity to reframe the research agenda and the debate. In a time of growing global commitment to action for nature, it could not be more timely,” says Jim Leape, William and Eva Price Senior Fellow at Stanford Woods, Institute for the Environment; Co-director, Center for Ocean Solutions.
Incubation
May 2019
Expanding the debate – the Boston Biodiversity Talks take place.
The first talk by Adil Najam, professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies is shared.
Incubation
March 2019
Cambridge consultation: first response to the Biodiversity Revisited proposition from an international test group of early-career and diverse professionals
Incubation
Late 2018 – early 2019
The team, governance, themes and approach to Biodiversity Revisited are designed. A robust governance is put in place for oversight and the #BiodiversityRevisited conversation thread is born on social media.
Ideation
2018
“What’s wrong with biodiversity?”
The Biodiversity Revisited idea is born.

Want to get in touch?

Email the project team at  info@unearthodox.org
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