On 30 September 2010, a transatlantic Ecologic Dinner Dialogue on “Widlife in a Changing Climate - How does climate change effect biodiversity and eco-systems and how to respond to it?“ was held in Berlin in honour of Jeremy Symons, Senior Vice President for Conservation and Education of the US National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The discussion focused on exploring the main challenges currently faced by conservation initiatives in the US and Europe.

Jeremy Symons, who is responsible for the overall leadership in planning and implementing National Wildlife Federation’s conservation, education and advocacy programs throughout the United States; discussed in his speech the political difficulties surrounding the implementation of conservation policies in the country, the need to join forces between NGOs in order to face climate change as the biggest threat to biodiversity and last but not least, the difficulties surrounding the education and participation of younger generations of Americans in conservation and volunteering activities.

Jeremy Symons’ introductory remarks were followed by a lively discussion between all participants on how to make biodiversity conservation activities successful in the face of a major environmental threat such as climate change but also appealing to the public in the middle of a very volatile economic situation. The exchange of views was greatly enhanced by a comparison of different conservation practices and strategies between both sides of the Atlantic.

The NWF works to inspire Americans to protect wildlife in the US for future generations. NWF is the US largest conservation organization, and it has around 4 million supporters who are committed to sustaining the nature of America for the benefit of people and wildlife.