Approaches for restoring the ecological balance

The first working table of the Session: Science for the Preservation of the Life of Mother Earth and the Human being, of CUMIPAZ 2017, presented the topic: scientific knowledge, technological and ancestral knowledge applied to the ecological balance of Mother Earth, exposed by scientists and researchers, indigenous peoples, representatives, environmental management, academic and political authorities.

Among the proposals, the specialists emphasized the importance of taking actions for the defense and care of biodiversity.

Protectors of biodiversity

The coordinator of the Indigenous Women's Network on Biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean in Panama, Florina López Miró, developed the topic: "Protecting biodiversity through ancestral knowledge", and highlighted the impact that ecological balance has on indigenous peoples.

Likewise, she pointed out that their own defense systems, created through internal laws, have helped the scientific pharmaceutical world.

"Indigenous peoples should be recognized as the protectors of biodiversity and medicinal plants. The responsibility is ours as of scientists and students, for that reason we must strengthen ancestral knowledge,” said Lopez.

Florina Lopez Miró

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Coordinator of the Network of Indigenous Women on Biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean - Panama

The microbiology of the planet

Juan Carlos Borrero, an environmental scientist and member of the Colombian Association for the Advancement of Science (ACAC), focused his analysis on the value of caring for forests and reducing the use of oil and chlorine as the main pollutants.

"The use of oil and chlorine destroys the ozone layer, a molecule of chlorine destroys a billion ozone molecules, we must become aware since the worldwide industrial sector is aware of this."

Herman Huisman, adviser in International Cooperation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment of the Dutch government, talked about the exploitation and treatment of solid waste, commenting that the idea is to reduce consumption, recycle and reuse.

Jorge Alvarado, a member of the Division of Environmental Sciences, Argonne National Laboratory, USA, gave a presentation on "The Science and Technology for Soil Preservation and Restoration of Soils" spoke about the heavy contamination that pesticides have caused to soils since the 60s.