|
What are the UNESCO biospheres?
30 years on behalf of sustainability: The UNESCO biospheres, officially called biosphere reserves, are much more than traditional protected areas. Instead of protecting nature by strictly separating it from humans, they accommodate both sides together on the same territory. The concept: Protecting natural resources and using them at the same time.
|
|
A place for everyone
All Biospheres are subdivided in three zones: In the core area, plants and animals unfold their potential largely untouched by human activities. It is surrounded by a buffer zone, in which scientist and tourists can carefully study and appreciate nature. Most humans are living in the transition area and use its natural sources to make a living. Here you find sustainable fishery, agriculture, forestry, villages and towns, workshops, factories and tourism.
Inspiration for the 21. century
Sustainability means: Man uses the natural resources without destroying them. But how can that be possible? The biospheres strive to answer that question. Here, workers, farmers, officials, environmentalists, scientists and managers work, study and discuss together. Ecological, economic, social and philosophical questions are talked over, in order to find the best compromises. For if sustainability works, both man and nature can benefit, today and in future.
|
 Core area
 Buffer zone
 Transition area
|
Who appoints the biospheres?
An area can only be named biosphere after an official designation by the UNESCO, more precisely the UNESCO "Man and Biosphere" (MAB) Secretariat in Paris. To this date, more than 450 biospheres have been created, distributed over the whole planet. You can find everything: Big and small, hot and cold, dry and humid, poor and rich regions. By a worldwide information exchange and joint activities, they form a unique global network of knowledge and creativity.
|
The MAB program
"Man and the Biosphere" - the official UNESCO site.
|
|
The UNESCO Biospheres