On our first journey, we travelled to Costa Rica to unveil the key players of coastal marine biodiversity protection. Randall Arauz is the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize winner. As the president of PRETOMA, he explains the main threats to ocean ressources in Costa Rica, teaches us the role of predators for marine ecosystems renewable services, and shares his alternatives and solutions for sustainable use of marine biodiversity.

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In Ecuador, we encountered the community of Sarayaku: the only tribe of the upper Amazon who suceed to prevent the intrusion of oil, mining and lobber companies. Like in the movie Avatar, they have been harrassed and persecuted. Companies are using all sorts of strategies to enter their territory and exploit their natural resources.
The story happening in the Amazon is similar in many points to the Na’vi of Avatar expect for one aspect: The Kichwas of Sarayaku are not violent. Discover their Great Wall of Flowers: the indigenous symbol of peace, earth protection and human rights respect.

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In the Sacred Valley, Quechua communities created a Potato Park. Don’t expect to experiment any roller cluster adventure on top of the Andean cordillera. But fell ready to enter a world of extreme altitudes and challenges, where cultural practices foster crop diversity.
Will the biggest in vitro gene bank in the world and indigenous communities succeed to protect one billion people against monoculture, diseases, desertification and climate change?

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In the southeastern part of Morocco, a unique forest in the world,  the Arganeraie, was nominated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.  Inside this area, thousands of amazigh are joining into feminine cooperatives to produce the most expensive oil on earth: Argan oil.
With a dual core mission, they work to emancipate themselves and protect the cradle of this sacred oil.  When raw material is conveyed, unfair competition becomes destructive. Fortunately, amazigh women battle to defend their legacy.

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An unparalleled union of efforts between 100 000 villagers, a grassroot NGO and a multinational company is about to prove to the world that habitat degradation is not terminal.
While synergizing their independent efforts, the three actors contributed to a pioneering work that leads to a new world record. This story is only beginning.

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Phosphates, oil spills, garbage, irresponsible diving, and now a possible nuclear reactor to pump water from the Red Sea to the Dead sea of Jordan! The coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba is no exception to coral reef deterioration occurring around the world.
To prevent the loss of this marine ecosystem, the Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan (JREDS) is pioneering education and advocacy activities. Thanks to their devotion, the next generation of Jordan seems well prepared to defend their marine biodiversity patrimony.

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Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Ali is about to open the first national Royal Botanical Garden of Jordan. In the 4th most water-deprived country in the world, the role of modern botanical gardens is key to conserve biodiversity and reduce poverty. Indeed, the road seems long to have a kingdom of flowers flourish in the Middle East.

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A three decade-long civil war finally ended in 2009 with a vital need for reconciliation. In fact, modern civil wars don’t stop with a peace treaty. The effects of trauma on people and on biodiversity are long lasting and tensions remain very strong.
With the vision to plant the seeds of peace among Sinhalese and Tamil youth, professor Kotagama, the most famous Sri Lankan ornithologist, is leading a program called “Reconciliation through the Power of Nature.” Inspired by the harmony within biodiversity, he uses a bird education platform to break down communication barriers and negative attitudes between the different ethnic communities to create a common Sri Lankan identity.
The power of biodiversity is limitless to create a better tomorrow.

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09 – Vietnam

Among the most used materials in the world, concrete ranks 2nd, just after water. In Vietnam, as the economy is booming, cement companies have been quarrying limestone and clay even more incessantly. The impacts on both local communities and biodiversity are brutal.
As one of the major producers of cement in the World, The Holcim Group is leading the way to sustainable development by offsetting its impact on biodiversity. Working hand in hand with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and local authorities, its subsidiary Holcim Vietnam helps establish new standards of biodiversity mitigation for the mining industry. Stopping entire ecocide is a competitive advantage..

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In South Thailand, Phuket Island is a natural masterpiece.  For over four centuries, the Island has witnessed ongoing “Gold Rushes”.  Previously, the gold was tin. Now that tin reserves are over, the gold has turned green. It took the visionary of one of the top 100 resort companies in the world, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, to turn a polluted, toxic landscape into a hugely successful tourism model thriving with biodiversity.
Discover how the Banyan Tree Hotel of Phuket brings tourists on an unforgettable journey inside a former polluted tin mining site while greening communities, empowering local people and sustaining the future of its destination.

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Along the Andean Cordillera, the community of Andalgalá is left with a scarcity of drinkable water. Clean air is becoming limited. While living above mountains of gold and silver, residents are severely disadvantaged.

Since more than a decade, Andalgalá is home to one of the largest open pit mines in the world. While the mining rush attracts more multinational companies, resistance is becoming stronger. The destiny of Andalgalá and glaciers are indeed intertwined.

Thousands of years ago, the apocalypse took place in La Payunia. The ground shivered and broke when the red lava hit the roof. 800 volcanic cones remain today as a scar from these eruptions. Yet, biodiversity is now thriving. Indeed, La Payunia Reserve is home to one of the largest populations of remaining guanacos (lama guanicoe) of Argentina.

But guanacos and other species are unfortunately under threat because of irresponsible crude oil exploitation and cattle farmers. More than 400 oils wells and many cattle fields are stopping their vital migration. The rangers have a solution: to protect biological corridors.