Leader: Paolo Lombardi

Contributed by Paolo Lombardi

Name: Paolo Lombardi

Job (title and organization):
Director, WWF Mediterranean Programme Office

Where do you work (city and country):
Roma, Italy

Describe your work/research:
The WWF Mediterranean Programme Office focuses on the South West Mediterranean and the Dinaric Arc (West Balkans) ecoregions, on the wider marine ecoregion and on critical regional policies such as fisheries. We have projects in 11 countries of the region and 45 staff engaged in their implementation. I am responsible for giving strategic direction to this program, building its infrastructure, raising the funds, building relations with key institutions and actors in the region. We pursue protected areas as a key tool for maintaining biodiversity and key ecological processes and services, promote integrated basin management as a way to secure water resources, support proper valuation and sharing of forest benefits, advocate for changes in unsustainable fisheries practices, address markets to make them drivers of conservation, and build arguments for mainstreaming the environment in all policies.  
 
What inspires you in your work?
I am deeply interested in the interactions between the ecological machinery of the planet and the history of human cultures, societies and economies. I think we are living in a critical time when humanity is discovering ecological scarcity at much larger scales than it was the case with the ecological crises of the past. At the same time our societies and economies are focused on issues perceived as more pressing and underestimate the ecological risks. Solutions that will bring about change have to be found now and they are likely already brewing in some corners of our world. The Mediterranean Basin is a special place to look at all this because here everything is the product of nature and culture and the history of human ecology is the longest.  

Degree(s): 
I have a degree in Biology from the University of Rome and completed post graduate studies in history of science and international policy

What are the highlights of your career accomplishments? 
I started volunteering for WWF when I was 17. I joined the organization in 1985 after getting my degree in Biology and three years research work in fisheries and conservation.  In WWF I have gone through all steps from traveling around Italy to support management of WWF Italy’s natural reserves (the “Oasis”), to managing WWF’s conservation portfolio in Italy, to helping WWF International build the European Programme, to leading the International Mediterranean Programme. I have seen many conservation goals becoming real, but all my contribution to conservation in this beautiful part of the world would be nothing without the work of many, many wonderful colleagues in WWF and other conservation organizations, outstanding partner organizations, and brilliant experts I have had the luck of knowing.

Why is the Global Mediterranean Action Network exciting to you?
Five ecoregions as far away as possible but with much in common. The places of this planet where people appear to be more attracted for holidays and settlement. A love which risks destroying their nature and landscapes. It is quite time that conservationists look at the mediterranean like they do for tropical forests and coral reefs. The GMAN can do this and can be the platform for finding new solutions and building coalitions to address common drivers like wine production, urban expansion, tourism.

How did your early experiences in nature influence you?
I watched Jacques Cousteau on TV when I was a child and wanted to become a diver. I got a mask and spent all my summers exploring the sea. Scouting led my way into the woods and up the mountains. WWF volunteering completed the training.
 
What are your favorite species and/or landscapes?
Whatever is a green, blue or white landscape suits my soul. But, maybe, the species that really inspire my respect for life are those pioneer plants that manage to colonize the asphalt, cracks in concrete, and even climb skyscrapers. Or the herring gulls who transformed Rome historic buildings into nesting sea cliffs. They show that life is stronger, life always finds the way.

Why are you passionate about conservation?
People packed in cities may not understand, yet, but this is the main problem humanity is facing: maintaining a functional planet. Conservation can only become more and more important.

What gives you hope?
Life gives me hope. The ability of mediterranean habitats to come back after a fire or even to colonize again degraded lands, if we only let them do it…

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
What spare time?