Documentary raises awareness of biodiversity

Waves of Life is the title of an hour-long nature documentary on local biodiversity, produced by the Biological Research Foundation (Bicref) in an attempt to increase awareness among the Maltese of why it is vital for us to conserve healthy biodiversity.

The documentary has won an international award and has been aired both locally and internationally, and Bicref hopes it will be shown to schoolchildren by their parents and teachers.

In a message for the New Year, Bicref urged the government and the public to think about and act effectively against the loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation.

It said the UN had declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity in order to help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity all over the world.

"When governments signed the international agreement to work towards reducing, if not stopping, biodiversity loss by 2010, back in 2002, they had shown a sign of good will towards our future welfare, as loss of biodiversity means loss of future options for mankind's survival and development," Bicref said.

The government also carried this obligation; however, the natural environment had not found the support it "urgently" needed, it said.

Waves of Life is available to buy on DVD from Bicref in Ħamrun and at Agenda Bookshop outlets.

Proceeds will go towards allowing the foundation's research and conservation work to continue.

For more information, e-mail bicref@gmail.com or visit www.bicref.org.