Antonina Ivanova

Trade and environment issues in APEC

Abstract The central argument of this article is that regional economic integration must be complemented by the creation of regional frameworks for environmental management. Beyond working to expand market access, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Mechanism (APEC) countries must cooperate to create conditions which provide incentives for sustainable resource and ecosystem use. In this way, trade and environmental policies can mutually reinforce each other. In one way or another, it is likely that environmental issues will be on the agenda. The crucial issue is how deep and broad will be the integration of trade and environmental concerns. This article suggests some guiding principles and innovative strategies.

Community Adaptation to Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation in Natural Protected Areas: The Case of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Climate and economic change put pressure on the use of natural resources, which in turn increases the vulnerability of ecosystems and human communities. This makes social participation essential for biodiversity conservation. This chapter addresses community perceptions on adaptation to climate change in El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve (REBIVI), in Baja California Sur (Mexico), one of the largest natural protected areas in Latin America. Workshops with local producers and community representatives show the need to increase knowledge on climate change issues and strengthen institutional and legal capacities to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of adaptation actions. At the same time, experiences already in place in REBIVI (such as whale watching, mangrove recovery, and bighorn sheep hunting) demonstrate that a responsible use of biodiversity can contribute both to conservation and community welfare and provide grounds to pursue alternative economic and social ways to relate to nature. Yet, economic growth models and the community members’ heterogeneous capabilities to better adapt to climate change and strengthen their capacities for action need to be taken into account if both human welfare and conservation are to be effectively promoted.