By Zafarani Uwingabire, Adam J. Vanbergen, Florence L.P. Damiens, Tom D. Breeze, René van der Wal, and Juliette C. Young.
Biodiversity is vital for life on Earth, but faces serious threats from human activities such as habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change. While ecological and economic reasons for protecting biodiversity are well known, conservation efforts often overlook the role of human-nature relationships. Understanding how different people view and value biodiversity can help create more effective policies and actions for their protection.
We investigated the worldviews and values of key European actors influencing a specific component of biodiversity conservation: wild pollinators and pollination. We interviewed 27 key decision-makers across Europe, including policymakers, scientists, business leaders, and environmental organizations. We asked them about their views on nature, their values related to pollinators, and their preferred conservation strategies. Our goal was to explore how different worldviews shape decision-making and influence biodiversity conservation efforts. To capture the complexity of nature-human relationships, we constructed a framework linking worldviews (A), sociocultural values (B) and management actions (C) relevant to pollinators (Figure 1). Our framework opens up novel ways of relating to pollinators, is adaptable to various contexts, and allows exploration of a broader range of worldviews and values currently lacking in assessments of pollinators and pollination valuation. Our research revealed three main perspectives on pollinators. Some participants expressed nature-centered worldviews, some human-centered worldviews, and some relationship-centered worldvies. This last group highlighted the deep connections between humans and nature. They stressed moral responsibilities, and the importance of passing a healthy environment to future generations.
Most participants, despite their differing perspectives, agreed on the need for strong conservation actions, emphasizing public policies and their better implementation. They identified key strategies such as enforcing environmental regulations, restoring pollinator-friendly habitats, promoting sustainable farming, raising public awareness, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
To better protect biodiversity, conservation efforts must embrace a broader set of values beyond just economic and ecological benefits. Ethical and relational perspectives, including the moral responsibility to protect nature, should be integrated into policies and actions. By considering diverse viewpoints, decision-makers can create more inclusive and effective strategies that engage a wider range of stakeholders. A relational approach to pollinator conservation can help build stronger societal support and ensure long-term success in protecting these vital species.
Relational Thinking 