EOCA has become an Ally of the Natural Climate Solutions initiative, joining forces with others, including George Monbiot and Greta Thunberg, to recognise, call for and enable the restoration of ecosystems to prevent climate breakdown. It is an initiative of George Monbiot, writer, journalist and environmental campaigner, together with Charlie Latimer, Pat Stirling and Al Boardman – all passionate about the environment and the great outdoors.
The aim is ‘to prevent climate breakdown by restoring our life support systems’. When living systems – like forests, peat bogs, saltmarshes and the seabed – are allowed to recover, they draw down carbon from the atmosphere, reducing the chances of climate catastrophe.
By supporting the efforts of others, including those listed as allies, the initiative wants to help bring together two issues that have mostly been considered in isolation – climate breakdown and ecological breakdown. Natural Climate Solutions are a bridge between the two.
Other allies of the initiative alongside EOCA include the UN environment programme, Friends of the Earth, Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation, Wilderness Society, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Worldwide Fund for Nature and Sierra Club.
The initiative is calling on governments, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other bodies to give Natural Climate Solutions the attention they deserve. With this in mind, an open letter has been sent to the UNCBD, UNFCC, governments and NGOs and signed by significant figures. It was published in the UK newspaper The Guardian on 3 April 2019 and can be read in full here.
Catherine Savidge, Joint General Manager of EOCA said, “The large number of conservation projects which EOCA funds around the world restoring habitats and ecosystems, benefit wildlife, people and help mitigate against climate change. We are delighted to be part of this initiative and to offer the European outdoor industry and outdoor enthusiasts a way in which they can contribute to mitigating against climate change. The more members we have and the more money we raise, the more projects we can support to benefit the planet that we all depend on.”
Traynor On The Trail 