Without the smallest plants and the smallest animals we can neither breathe nor eat. This is the simple reason why the IPBES (International Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) research panel is awarded with a Win Win Sustainability Award of SEK 1 million.

- The reason why we give the award to IPBES is that it is about our life on earth. We haven't talked enough about it, says Emma Dalväg, the jury's chairman.

Lift on the eyebrows

Nearly 500 experts from several countries around the world have found that as many as one million species (out of eight million) are endangered. In a previously unproven way, several different groups of people living close to nature have been helped.

- They have included people who live in places that are very dependent on biodiversity, such as people who live from fishing or from the forest, says Emma Dalväg.

The report is not only groundbreaking of its kind, she says. It has also helped to raise the issue of biodiversity on the international agenda.

- Now the UN will set targets for biodiversity and we have started to talk about biodiversity in a different way every day.

Biological diversity is important

She mentions, among other things, the trend of bi-hotels, and that you should think about before mowing the lawn (so that you do not cut flowers).

- Biodiversity is one of the fate issues. Without all these animals and plants we cannot exist on earth. If we don't have green leaves and algae we get no oxygen, we have no pollinators, we get no food, says Emma Dalväg.

Why is biodiversity important here?

- It almost always becomes a philosophical question. Either you can see it as that we need to save plants and animals in order for us to live. But there are others who have a different philosophical perspective, which is about what we really have the right to eradicate other species.

The prize money is distributed to the organization to promote their continued work for biodiversity.