Biodiversity is the very heart of our environment. It is the total richness of all the living forms and life processes of our planet. Biodiversity includes the full range of ecosystems, their component species and the genetic varieties of those species produced by nature, or shaped by man.
Biodiversity brings enormous benefits to mankind. From direct harvesting of plants or animals for food, medicine, fuel, construction materials and other uses, to aesthetic, cultural, recreational and research values. Benefits to ecosystems include climate and water regulation, the creation and protection of soils, helping to reduce floods and soil erosion, shoreline protection and providing natural controls of agricultural pests - within the ASEAN region alone, these services are estimated to be worth US$200 billion per annum. Biodiversity is our wealth, our shared natural heritage.
Today, this biodiversity is fast becoming endangered by modern development, and by the sheer pressures and demands of a growing human population. The BIG issue is supply versus demand and the ASEAN region is now losing its biodiversity at an unprecedented rate. Forests are being cleared for timber and agricultural development, seas and coral reefs are being over-fished, damaged and polluted, with valuable species being collected unsustainably. Wherever man has destroyed too much forest cover, destructive floods and droughts are a constant reminder of the vital importance to better protect this biodiversity.
Ultimately, the loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest threats to the people of ASEAN. Extinction is forever and with every species lost, the natural ecosystems they once called home become biologically poorer. The critical dilemma now faced by the nations of ASEAN is to try and meet the ever-growing demands from its burgeoning populations with ever shrinking natural resources.
The need for these countries to collaborate in their efforts to protect biodiversity is obvious. Nine of the ten countries of ASEAN share the same rich seas and fisheries. Five countries of ASEAN are linked by the meandering Mekong River. Three countries share the great island of Borneo. And like the great forests and seas, species do not recognize our political and territorial boundaries, they pay no attention to borders. With the development of these diverse nations, it’s clear that whilst each must share the right to exploit these transboundary resources, they must also accept the responsibility for their conservation with its neighbors.
Through cooperation, the countries of ASEAN can pool their knowledge, make better use of their species and find fair ways to share the benefits. In 1999 the recognition of this shared responsibility spawned the development of the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC) - a forum for cooperation and information exchange, and the forging of a stronger ASEAN voice on the international biodiversity stage.
The centre helps strengthen biodiversity conservation by setting up a network of links among ASEAN countries, and between ASEAN and European Union’s partner organizations. The centre promotes the adoption of common standards and best practices, as well as the development of sound policies in all matters of biodiversity management.
In 2004, SUBAZOO were contracted by the ARCBC to produce a series of short films to highlight the work of the centre, raise awareness of the threats to biodiversity throughout the ASEAN region, and to cover the relaunch of the ASEAN Heritage Park programme at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. In total, ten minute-long vignettes, a 30 minute documentary about the work of the ARCBC and a 15 minute video press release were written, filmed and edited by SCUBAZOO during an intense two month period.
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