Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods is a new and freely-available book that focuses on the role of local communities, around the world, in conserving their environment while sustaining their local economies and livelihoods. It explores the conservation initiatives of communities, what motivates them, and what outcomes can be achieved for biodiversity and for livelihoods. The book looks at how decision-making works, how power is handled, and how Indigenous realities arise around the globe. Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods also takes us travelling, through community stories from around the world, in which local action brings local solutions, when people work together for a common cause.
Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods, co-published by CCRN & IUCN-CEESP, covers issues and ideas in a way that should be of value to local communities, community groups, non-governmental organizations, government policymakers, and educational bodies (e.g., high school, college, university, adult education), among others. The book highlights how environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods support one another, as communities bring positive change, and lead the way toward a sustainable world.
From the Preface to “Communities, Conservation and Livelihoods”
“In every country of the world, in urban neighbourhoods and rural towns and villages, people are coming together in their communities to find solutions that sustain their livelihoods and maintain, or restore, healthy local environments.”
“This book celebrates the efforts of local communities, literally thousands of them the world over, all seeking to resolve the essential challenge of conservation and livelihoods.”
“The book reflects the results of over a decade of studies focusing on communities, conservation and livelihoods, through the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), a global initiative that involves a wide range of Indigenous, academic, community and non-governmental organisations…”
“As we live through the COVID-19 pandemic… the need for collective action has never been greater. This book contains many inspiring stories of collective action of communities around the world, as they address and, in many cases, solve local challenges of environment and livelihoods. Although these stories reflect experiences before COVID-19, within them are ingredients of collective action that we need to move forward today.”
