United for #Biodiversity

The Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto (MHNC-UP), including its Botanical Garden and Hall of Biodiversity – Ciência Viva Center – is the first institution from Portugal to become an official member of the European Commission Global Coalition ‘United for #Biodiversity‘, a campaign calling for stronger mobilisation in raising awareness about the need to protect biodiversity.

As a member of LifeWatch Portugal, MHNC-UP has joined this global movement to call the attention of world leaders to the pressing need to take immediate and concerted action to protect nature by acting locally and worldwide, and is proud to be one with the 10 institutions (including the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, Central Park Zoo and Biotopia Munich) and 16 international organisations that have already signed up to this global initiative. Around 500 institutions are expected to take part by the end of 2020.

Launched by EU Commissioner for Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius, the United for #Biodiverstiy coalition calls for strong mobilization of all national research centers, science and natural history museums, botanic gardens, zoos, parks, aquariums and others to make their voices heard about the crisis that nature is facing. At a time when science is warning that 1 million species are at risk of extinction within decades because of human activities, jeopardizing the very future of humanity, there is a critical need to unite all possible forces in the lead up to COP26. 

The Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto’s mission is to promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge about evolution, diversity and the convergence between the natural and cultural worlds, Its displays seek to stimulate curiosity about both natural and cultural phenomena and contribute to their understanding, fostering a dialogue between the arts, science and technology.