Biodiversity and the Screen Industry
It’s the 22nd of May, which means it’s the International Day for Biological Diversity
Biodiversity, all the living things that make up our natural world, is essential for human life – we depend on it for not only the air we breathe, food we eat and water we drink but also for health & medicines, fuel & materials and livelihoods. Yet biodiversity is declining faster now than at any point in human history. Since 1970, there has been an average 60% decline in global populations of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. 25 % of all animal and plant species are threatened with extinction.
The film & TV industry impacts on biodiversity through its production practices, supply chain and through its portrayal of biodiversity on screen. Production impacts can be negative in relation to damage or disturbance of habitats or species and through use of materials.
Editorial impacts can also be negative due to increased demand for biodiversity damaging products, increased visitors to sensitive locations and impact on individual species. There is great potential, however, for the impact of the industry to be positive and promote biodiversity.
There is a need to normalise the language of biodiversity across albert and the industry.
