FOR RELEASE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Contact: Amy Lewis
Tel. 303-249-5989
Email: amy@wild.org
Date: 9/29/2020

ROADMAP TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE CAN HELP HOLD WORLD LEADERS
ACCOUNTABLE ON NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PLEDGE

In September 2020, just prior to the United Nations Biodiversity Summit, more than 60 heads of state issued the “Leaders Pledge for Nature,” to halt Earth’s destruction. With such an ambitious, sweeping, and necessary commitment, many wonder how the global public can gauge its success. One perfect device was produced in the lead up to the 11th World Wilderness Congress (WILD11), which was to take place in March 2020 but postponed in the wake of the pandemic. The Story for Our Future – the Jaipur Declaration and its 11 complementary targets, including the protection of half of nature – provides an essential roadmap to the actions that will halt the dual existential emergencies of climate breakdown and mass extinction.

Since 1976, the World Wilderness Congress has convened approximately every four years to build international support for the protection of Earth’s wild places, the vital life support and life giving system that has functioned for 500 million years and that supports and defends all life on Earth. Since 2009, the World Wilderness Congress’ many collaborators and its implementing organization, the WILD Foundation, have advocated for the protection of at least half of Earth’s land and seas to avert the worst of the climate emergency, halt mass extinction, decrease the likelihood of pandemics, and secure humanity’s future. The Story for Our Future, the 11th World Wilderness Congress’ primary policy recommendation, is based on the guidance of leaders from all sectors of society and dozens of countries around the world, and is the latest and most detailed product of this global process.

It is also the only environmental policy document to be framed as a story, offering a hero’s journey perspective on the actions needed to ensure humanity’s future.

Vance Martin, President of the WILD Foundation, who initiated the creation of The Story for Our Future, said, “Our future depends upon heart-centered commitments. For many decades now the conservation sector has spoken from the intellect to other intellects, even as the challenges we face accelerate. We need the best information, of course, but a new approach is needed now. The way we speak from the heart is through story. Through story we can change the trajectory of our societies.”

Among the targets presented in The Story for Our Future are recognizing the key and irreplaceable leadership of Indigenous Peoples, protecting half of Earth’s land and seas by rewilding and the implementation of nature-based climate solutions in currently intact wildlands, unified and coordinated political agendas, and the global need for a more plant-based, organic diet.

The Story for Our Future is available to read here. For more information, please contact Vance Martin at vance@wild.org.

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The WILD Foundation is a founding member of Wilderness Foundation Global and the lead partner in organizing the World Wilderness Congress, working with hundreds of collaborators from dozens of nationalities. WILD builds strong communities and coalitions around the world that respect and protect nature. It is also a founding member of the Nature Needs Half network which began in 2009.

Wilderness Foundation Global is an international alliance of conservation organizations with wilderness at the center of their missions. Wilderness Foundation Global helps generate more coordination for the protection of wild nature and the wildlife and people who depend upon healthy and abundant biodiversity and wildlands.

The World Wilderness Congress (WILD11) is the longest-running, international, environmental public forum. It works across national boundaries and all-sectors of society to spark interest in wilderness, increase knowledge of its irreplaceable role in supporting human communities, and coordinate international actions for its protection.

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Social Media Message:
WILD commends world leaders who have committed to halting Earth’s destruction. How will we know when they succeed? One measure is the protection of half of nature – Earth’s life support system – and the achievement of the 11 complementary targets presented in the 11th World Wilderness Congress’ “ Story for Our Future.” #NatureNeedsHalf #NaturePositiveCarbonNeutral #SurvivalRevolution #UNBiodiversity