Why? Maybe you’ve recently taken a few flights or other not so earth friendly activities and you think your carbon footprint needs some attention. Or maybe you just think that we’re doing worthwhile stuff and you would to see more of it. Whatever your reason may be, often only a little money in the right direction can already make a big difference. Together we can help start creating a whole lot of warm fuzzy feelings today…

Their aim was: “to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and to establish the scientific basis for actions needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and their contributions to human well-being.”

This is quite a sentence. But what it is saying is that we all have an everyday dependence on nature and its ecosystems. But these ecosystems are changing and, as they change, so do the benefits we get from them. So the task was to work out what changes are going on and how these changes are going to affect us. How can we use our natural environment in a way that won’t negatively affect our future health and well-being? Basically, how do we ensure that what we enjoy today can be enjoyed next year and the year after that as well?

The MA really highlighted the concept of “ecosystem services”. Our ecosystems are those complex natural interactions between plants, animals and organisms which make up the fabric of the world around us. And these provide valuable services which benefit people – from both an economic and social/cultural viewpoint. Ecosystem services includes all types of benefits such as providing a source of food, water and timber; regulating our climate, water and air quality or spread of disease; supporting nutrient cycling in soil and oceans; or being culturally beneficial to us in providing recreational enjoyment, inspiration or spiritual significance.

Seems like common sense? It is. But in these times we often overlook our basic dependence on the natural environment. And by that we don’t just mean a weekend walk in the woods, we’re also referring to our connection to ecosystems day in and day out.

So, with a number of insightful reports, the MA began to describe not only the condition of our planet’s natural ecosystems but provided a much clearer insight into how ecosystems contribute to our collective health and well-being.

But this is only half the story. Because, as good as that is, we also need to know what to do with the information. And that’s usually the hard part. What does that mean for a government, a business, or us? Who actually knows what should be done?

In addition to this, you have other things popping up and messing with the whole story. “Biodiversity Loss”, “Climate Change” “Poverty Spiral”. In other words, the ‘services’ we’re getting from these ecosystems are also affected by other current issues: the large-scale loss of plant and animal species, by the seemingly changing climate, and placed under a greater strain by impoverished communities…and the global society in general.

It might now start to sound a bit overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. Just as we’ve got thousands of scientists, conservation researchers and NGOs working hard out to get a better understanding of what can be done, we’re seeing a greater desire and commitment from broader society to become involved, observe and understand more about the world around them.

Understanding – and communicating – these “ecosystem services”, state of our “biodiversity” and effects of “climate change” is the basis for eyes4earth. But it is also realising that is our eyes and that our perceptions of what is going on defines how we respond to the challenges.

We don’t have all the answers. But, collectively, we probably know and can do much more than we think we can

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Nothing new? Well, yes and no. Of course, you may feel you have been told it all before but it’s unlikely you have actually been given the chance to tell. And we believe that you’ve probably got more than a few thoughts of value to share. So eyes4earth is also about encouraging a little more participation and discussion.

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With “Where’s my Whale” you’ll have the chance to keep an eye on animal species of your choice here. And you can have a bird’s eye view of how he or she is doing.