Editorial

Citation

Leal Filho, W. (2009), "Editorial", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 20 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/meq.2009.08320faa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 20, Issue 6

Welcome to another issue of MEQ. With the end of present volume, i.e. Vol. 20, MEQ celebrates its 20th anniversary and looks back to an interesting past, which has witnessed the evolution of environmental concerns around the world. The degree of emphasis to matters related to environmental quality is now greater than ever before and our journal is well placed to disseminate scholarly research in the field.

On this editorial I would like to introduce readers to a report that discusses the progress seen in respect of the European 2010 Biodiversity targets. Biodiversity - the variety of genes, species and ecosystems on the planet - is disappearing faster than at any time since the demise of the dinosaurs. The implications are profound, for humanity and for our efforts to tackle poverty and climate change. Yet, this urgent environmental challenge is largely under-reported partly because researchers and policy-makers have failed to communicate biodiversity issues in a way that is relevant to most people.

The European 2010 Biodiversity targets document, published by the European Environment Agency[1], is the first indicator-based assessment of progress towards the European target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010. It takes stock of the state of biodiversity and its loss in Europe based on the most recent data available. In addition, it functions as a bridge to a comprehensive assessment of the 2010 target to be done in 2010. As such the indicators in the report do not only show what is currently known, but also where information is missing and what needs to be measured and examined to enable a comprehensive assessment in 2010.

The report presents some interesting findings. Although progress has overall been seen and is steady, there are some areas that need attention so as to allow the pre-set targets to be achieved. In particular, the conservation of habitats is deemed as essential in order to protect plant and animal species. This seems to indicate that, in addition to efforts to save and protect individual species, the cause of biodiversity conservation – a matter which this journal will pay a special emphasis to in the future – may be better served if equal emphasis is also given to habitats protection.

Enjoy your reading!

1. Available at: www.eea.europa.eu/publications/progress-towards-the-european-2010-biodiversity-target

Walter Leal FilhoEditor