Bertarelli Summer2024 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 82
T HE L AST WO RD
Dona Bertarelli
The entrepreneur and philanthropist on what rewilding means to her
INT E RV IE W BY J O HN ST E E L E
I was struck by the noticeable decline in biodiversity
within just 25 years. The Mediterranean is warming 20
percent faster than the global ocean average, which significantly impacts marine life.
Furthermore, the Mediterranean suffers from inadequate protection measures. Only a tiny fraction of its
waters are designated as fully or highly protected marine
protected areas (MPAs). This insufficient protection
allows for destructive practices like bottom trawling.
Human pressures, such as overfishing, pollution, and
habitat destruction, are at their highest in the Mediterranean, disrupting ecosystems and threatening marine life.
WHAT IS RE WIL DING?
To me, rewilding is more than just reintroducing species; it’s about rebuilding connections within our ecosystems. It involves restoring natural processes and
fostering harmony between nature and people, recognizing that we share and depend on the same environment for our survival and well-being.
RE WIL DING9 S IM PACT O N B IO DIV E R S IT Y
Rewilding is crucial to biodiversity as it helps restore natural habitats and processes, allowing ecosystems to function as they naturally should. This restoration supports
a diverse range of species—flora and fauna—increases
resilience to environmental changes, and enhances ecosystem services that benefit both nature and people.
However, rewilding alone can’t fully preserve or regenerate biodiversity because many species know no borders. Efforts in one habitat must be observed within a
much larger ecosystem, creating corridors of biodiversity that connect different habitats and ensure the movement
and survival of various species
across regions.
Despite these challenges, there are success stories
that give hope. For instance, the resurgence of the
Atlantic bluefin tuna is a notable example. Through
stringent regulations and sustainable fishing practices, their populations have significantly rebounded,
demonstrating the potential for
recovery when appropriate measures are taken.
These experiences highlight the
urgent need for enhanced conservation measures and international
cooperation to protect and restore
biodiversity. They also serve as a
reminder that with commitment
and collaboration, we can achieve
positive outcomes for both people
and nature. After all, we are biodiversity—we are an integral part of
the ecosystem and must strive for
a balanced coexistence to ensure
the thriving of our ecosystems and
communities alike.
T HE LO S S O F B IO DIV E R S IT Y
I have a personal story that
deeply affected me regarding
the loss of biodiversity in the
Mediterranean. Growing up,
I frequently snorkeled in the
Mediterranean Sea with my
father. The waters were once
vibrant with life, teeming with
diverse marine species. However, when I returned to these
same places with my children,
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CO URTES Y O F D O NA BERTA R EL L I
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