Reflections of the baby-panda on WWF’s 60th Birthday!
This February I took a challenge and became a Director of WWF Adria, a regional office of the world famous nature conservation organization known for its panda logo. While I joke that I am a baby-panda, my organization reached serious age – last Thursday WWF celebrated its 60th anniversary!
Edward Max Nicholson, founder of WWF said back in 1961: “WWF is not just about saving whales and tigers and rainforests, and preventing pollution and waste, but is inescapably concerned with the future conduct, welfare and happiness and indeed survival of mankind on this planet.”
Although he was talking about the future, back in 1960s WWF was mostly focused on wildlife. At that time we believed only critically endangered species needed our help. We thought nature was safe, reefs were there to stay forever, rivers would always be free-flowing, plastic waste would never “swim” in the sea…
Now we know just how wrong and na?ve we were! We did some positive change, though. We have seen recovering populations of pandas, tigers and mountain gorillas. We have established numerous protected areas, not only globally but also here, in the Adria region. We’ve pushed governments to pass new nature laws, worked alongside local communities around the world, and transformed many businesses.
Most importantly, we understood it was not only about wildlife. We understood we had to build a future where humans and nature can thrive.
According to the latest Living Planet Report the population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have seen an alarming average drop of 68% since 1970.
Yes, you read it well. 68%! Our relationship with nature is seriously broken. We are losing nature at an alarming rate and this loss effects our own health and well-being.
As a CEO of WWF Adria I see the full potential of doing something meaningful for the world we live in! The next decade will shape the future of our planet. Join me in my new challenge and let’s shape this future together!