Slate has an interesting slideshow this week about one of the largest cruxes to raising endangered species awareness: lack of the "awww factor". The
slideshow is an interesting but simple, straightforward discussion of species versus ecosystem conservation and species value versus valuation. The awww factor and public buy-in in conservation are also discussed.
Just as the conservation movement has often taken advantage of charismatic species for fundraising and awareness raising efforts, there have been many attempts to get around many of the world's most critically endangered species' lack of charisma.
EDGE is one organization promoting many species that have not found themselves in the limelight of conservation, neither that of the public nor of researchers and conservation organizations
The mission of the EDGE of Existence programme is to prevent the extinction of the world's most evolutionarily distinct species.
EDGE aims to do this by raising awareness, focusing research efforts on studying these species in their natural habitats, and finally by implementing research-based conservation programs with local community involvement. EDGE is an organization worthy of our attention.
I believe all efforts to raise endangered species awareness-- based on individual species charisma, used in species-focused efforts or umbrella-approach efforts; wilderness aesthetics used to save entire ecosystems or the critical species therein; and more scientifically based approaches-- are valid and necessary in the greater effort to promote conservation and biodiversity. But I really like EDGE's focus on species that have generally not received our attention in the past, that need to receive our attention if we wish to maintain their genetic, evolutionary, and behavioral uniqueness.
