“The natural world in which we live is nothing sort of entrancing -wondrous really. Personally, I take great joy in sharing a world with the shimmering variety of life on Earth”
Thomas E. Lovejoy 1941-2021
To continue celebrating long lasting ties and values between Colombia and the United States, the Embassy of Colombia in Washington DC celebrated Dr. Thomas Eugene Lovejoy life legacy and his passion and concern for conservation efforts in both countries. In a symbolic gesture, the late Lovejoy received the Boyacá Order from the President of Colombia Ivan Duque Marquez.
In a special evening, with the presence of his daughters Betsy, Kata, Annie, and family members Ambassador of Colombia Juan Carlos Pinzon, celebrated Lovejoy´s work and his efforts in teaching that ecology, as a science, is an inspiration. That people can replicate the functions of nature when designing new systems and models for the well-being of life on the planet, making it a great tool to tackle climate change crisis.
President Duque paid respect to Lovejoy´s family and expressed his gratitude and admiration for his work in and for Colombia
The invitees were able to see a video about the biologist work at the Amazon with pictures, maps of his travels and information about his studies on biological diversity (a term that he first introduces in 1980), paying respect to his legacy.
With the presence of Carter Roberts, President, and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Colombian efforts in conservation and sustainability were highlighted. The WWF cohosted the event were vice Minister of Environmental Regulation of the Territory, Colombian Nicolas Galarza, gave the decoration to Annie Lovejoy on behalf of his father.
Climate change has been considered one of the most important challenges in history that has had disrupted effects over the course of humanity. 2022 is a very important year for decision-making in environmental matters. Countries around the world have the challenge of increasing their ambition to reduce emissions by the year 2030 and exploring models of innovation that would make it possible to challenge climate change from multiple perspectives.
1 in 8 animal and plant species in the world are in danger of extinction, and we have already exceeded the 1.1-degree Celsius increase in the average global temperature. More than 3,300 people live in situations vulnerable to climate change, and we are increasingly exceeding the carrying capacity of socio-ecological systems, exceeding planetary limits.