EDUARDO VIADAS FROM PLANETA AZUL WAS GRANTED THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AWARD
01.26.08 - Leído 137 veces. Enviar esta notaAgustin Merlo
“Conservation has remained a difficult effort because of my being a journalist, which is not considered a very attractive discipline, but an aggressive and denouncing tool. This, in fact, seems rather interesting to me whenever there is significant evidence that something is wrong. However, conservation does not only involves denouncing, but also communicating success cases and the available options” Eduardo Viadas
MEXICO, D,F. January, 26, 2008.- From 2001 on, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales), through the National Commission for the Protection of Natural Areas (Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas), invited all individuals, companies, and organizations to participate in the contest to be granted the Conservation Award, which acknowledges the role society plays in resolving conservation-oriented problems, involving the protection of natural areas, immediate conservation measures in certain regions and their influence zones, and protection of endangered species.
The natural beauty of the diverse ecosystems found among the Mexican seas and deserts has inspired poets, painters, and musicians who have produced their most admired works thanks to their admiring and respecting such wonderful landscapes. Nowadays, those places should combine modernity and sustained development in order to protect their natural richness, ensure rational supporting means for future generations, and ensure their flora and fauna survival.
A ceremony was held the last November 27th in Playa Balandra at La Paz, Baja California Sur, an unmatched beautiful place, so as to commemorate the National Day for Nature Conservation and to grant the Conservation Awards 2007. During the ceremony, Juan Elvira Quesada, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, stated that: “Today, people’s passion and commitment to environment conservation has been demonstrated. Thus, we are now awarding the conservation, commitment, and research work of Mexican individuals, researchers, and promoters. Also, we would like to acknowledge the investigation, protection, care, and good use of our ecosystems and biodiversity, which, in turn, has resulted in development opportunities. Congratulations to all of you!”
For the second time, this award was granted in the individual category to people working in the mass media industry. For that reason, Eduardo Gonzalez Viadas, CEO of Planeta Azul, an environment journalism agency, was granted the Conservation Award 2007, because of his devoting his life to protect and promote our natural resources.
In recent days, we had the chance to meet Eduardo Viadas, to whom we asked if conservation has been a difficult task.
Eduardo: “Conservation has remained a difficult effort because of my being a journalist, which is not considered a very attractive discipline, but an aggressive and denouncing tool. This, in fact, seems rather interesting to me whenever there is significant evidence that something is wrong. However, conservation does not only involve denouncing, but also communicating success cases and the available options. Therefore, I think mass media do not pay the proper attention to these topics for they are considered unimportant, useless, and very specialized. In my perspective, we have failed because, for 20 years, we have affirmed we are running out of natural resources while we just expect the society to remain static and fearful. On the contrary, we should be certain there are still hope and the possibility of real sustained development.”
What does receiving the award has meant for you?
“It means a greater commitment to innovation, being closer to society’s life, looking for professionalization formulas -not only for those working at Planeta Azul, but also for those developing other work areas that, for whatever reason, have not had the chance to receive integral education in environmental matters. Hence, after 15 and 9 years Planeta Azul was founded, no doubt does the award represent joy and the certainty that every effort made has been worth it.”
“On the other side, this shows we are doing well. The very fact that, day after day, the number of queries at our Internet website increases exponentially remains an important indicator; however, being granted such an award shows it is possible to develop different journalism projects and the existence of a specific audience that is willing to receive this type of information. Despite of its being personalized, I do believe all current and past employees deserve this reward, since many have made strong efforts, sweat blood, and shed tears of despair. All the people working at Planeta Azul do know the challenge is now bigger, since we have to find the way to compete for world-class awards too,” Eduardo Viadas added.
During his speech, Dr. Ernest Enkerlin, National Commissioner for the Protection of Natural Areas, emphasized that “we have been able to get positive results thanks to all conservationists’ projects and commitment to conservation should not be expected to depend on governments but on societies. 90 years ago, in November 27th, 1917, President Carranza opened Mexico’s first national park, the National Park Desierto de los Leones. And, through conservation efforts, we have been able to promote our country natural capital, be considered one of the top ten countries at international conferences, and to increase our human budget and the extension of the national system of protected natural areas, as a State policy and after 12 months of growth. With President Calderon, we undertook many commitments for the following years: to strengthen and extend the protected natural areas, to boost ecotourism, and to increase the support given to communities living in protected areas.”
Finally, regarding the VII National Week for Nature Conservation, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Engineer Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada said: “Protection, care, and sustained use of ecosystems and natural resources should translate into development opportunities. Hence, the Federal Government should made stronger efforts to make Mexico become a place where society and nature can coexist harmonically. Today, I do invite all Mexicans to join this task, to build a decent country for our current and future citizens: a clean, ordered, and fair Mexico. A country feeling proud of its natural resources and committed to their conservation and care.”
Winners competing for other categories are listed below: “Dr. Miguel Alvarez del Toro”; Dr. Ana Guadalupe Valenzuela Zapata, professor of the Universidad de Guadalajara, in the category of Education and/or Research “Mtro. Efrain Hernandez Xolocotzi-Guzman”; Community Resources of Nepopualco, Morelos, in the category of Local Authorities “Ing. Miguel Angel de Quevedo”; the business award “Nezahualcoyotl” was not granted by the jury; and Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Oceanos, A.C. (CEDO) in the category of Civil Organizations “Dr. Enrique Beltran Castillo.”
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