Language Analysis: 2010 International Biodiversity Conference

The International Biodiversity Conference in October represented a collective international

effort to safeguard biodiversity on the planet which began in 2002 with an international
pledge. These efforts were then analysed at the conference, and in the keynote speech, Dr
Chris Lee explained the need for urgency of action to prevent further loss of biodiversity. His
target audience is first and foremost politicians and scientists, although an invitation is
extended towards the wider community to join the cause. Lee speaks in a moralising,
didactic tone that

The subheading of the title, “Taking Stock” in the opening slide of Dr Lee’s presentation is
indicative of the conference being for the purpose of analysing efforts made towards
safeguarding biodiversity since 2002. While “Taking Stock” usually may refer to the “total
merchandise kept by a commercial establishment” but in this instance, it is referring to the
total species retained by the entire world. The accompanying visual in the opening slide
shows “2010” in bold print, but inside the numbers there is depicted various flora and fauna
– some fish and waves, a flamingo, a tree and a man and boy, collectively representing
biodiversity. The boy holding the man’s hand is a moral message – that the next generation
look to the adults of this one, and therefore it is vital that they set the example for the
future.

In Lee’s opening statement Dr Lee announces the “vital significance” of 2010, the UN
International Year of Biodiversity. Lee quotes the UN announcement that 2010 is a
“celebration of life on earth” but then using rhetoric, asks the audience if 2010 has been a
year of celebration, of action. Lee encourages the audience to question themselves and the
amount of action they have taken, and suddenly presents confronting and shocking statistics
on the loss of biodiversity in the past century, then stating that it was “due to our own
thoughtless actions” that such loss of biodiversity was happening at up to “100 times the
natural rate of extinction”. He then quotes the IUCN Red List, bringing in statistics showing a
third of the Earth’s species are threatened today and 804 are extinct. The International
Union for Concervation of Nature and the Red List are brought in to add weight to Lee’s
argument, and he brings in a stark realisation for the audience with the emphatic statement
“It is too late for them.”

Dr Lee makes an appeal to the audience’s sense of morality and responsibility, emphasising
the need for action due to the current generation being the “most educated...of any to
date”. He admonishes the audience, for its lack of “unity and genuine commitment to
action” and juxtaposes between what was promised in 2002, and what has happened since
– which he claims is inadequate.
Two themes that are heavily featured in Dr Lee’s speech are the effect that biodiversity loss
has on the poor, and the long term ramifications from a global perspective. With effective
use of rhetoric – “There is no need to remind you” and the moral high ground, Lee seeks to
give a greater understanding of the direct impact that changes in the ecosystem have on
those living in extreme poverty. Lee blames “us, the economic giants” meaning the first
world, for subordinating the needs of the poor to our own interests, aiming to shame the
audience.

The closing slide visual links in closely with a comment made by Lee as to the vulnerability of
the poor – depicting the world “in the palm of your hand” as it were, but focussing
particularly on the continent shown facing out - the poorest continent on Earth, Africa. Lee
speaks of the poor being directly dependent on biodiversity yet not being in a position to
control this.

The closing comment, the quote by Eisner is also an excellent summary of Lee’s argument.
“Its diminishment is to be prevented at all costs” is a statement backed up by Lee’s previous
statements as to the consequences if further degradation occurred.

In conclusion, Dr Lee’s effective use of statistics, appeals, attack and simple undeniable logic
are used in conjunction in an effort to make not only politicians and corporate leaders but
also everyday people rethink their efforts towards preserving biodiversity. This argument
which calls for “real action” as opposed to brochures, documentaries and empty words may
not appeal to all but the reasoning behind it is untenable.