Date: 23th & 24th, October
Place: Tossal Lab

Since 2016, a creative jam has been held in September that seeks to make an impact in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN. One is held in each city that signs up and the results of the jam are shared among all. In this year 2023, the chosen theme is biodiversity and cities, the impact our cities have had on it and the ways in which we can make it increase.

Participants will be divided into groups of 3-5 members, developing through methodologies such as design thinking solutions to the challenges posed and aimed at improving biodiversity in cities. Once a solution is reached up to prototype level, it is shared with the rest of the groups until the winner is chosen. Subsequently, it is shared with participants in jams in other cities around the world.

Every city, every urbanized environment has animals and wildlife, such as birds and insects. Where we used to see cities as wastelands, free of nature, we can also see them as new and interesting environments where biodiversity can thrive again.

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. One of the main drivers of this decline is habitat loss, and cities are a major contributor to habitat loss. Cities are often built on land that was once natural habitat and also fragment natural habitats by creating barriers to movement. This fragmentation makes it difficult for animals to find food, mates and safe places to live.

However, cities can be key to rebuilding biodiversity. By taking steps to protect and restore natural habitats, cities can provide a home for a variety of plants and animals. Cities can also help connect natural habitats by creating green corridors that allow animals to move from one area to another.

Here are some of the ways in which biodiversity loss and the need for cities to restore biodiversity could relate to each SDG:

SDG 1: End Poverty: Biodiversity loss can contribute to poverty by reducing access to food, water, and other resources. For example, loss of pollinators can reduce crop yields, which can lead to food insecurity.

SDG 2: Zero hunger: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to hunger by reducing food availability. For example, loss of fish stocks can reduce the availability of seafood.

SDG 3: Good health and well-being: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to poor health and well-being by increasing the risk of disease. For example, loss of forests can increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to water scarcity and pollution. For example, loss of wetlands can reduce the availability of clean water.

SDG 7: Clean and affordable energy: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to energy insecurity by reducing the availability of renewable energy sources. For example, forest loss can reduce the availability of fuel wood.

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to unsustainable cities and communities by reducing the availability of green space and increasing the risk of flooding. For example, loss of trees can increase the risk of flooding in urban areas.

SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to unsustainable consumption and production by increasing demand for resources. For example, forest loss can increase demand for wood products.

SDG 13: Climate action: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to climate change by reducing the capacity of ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide. For example, forest loss can reduce the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

SDG 14: Life under water: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems. For example, the loss of coral reefs can reduce the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

SDG 15: Life of terrestrial ecosystems: Biodiversity loss can also contribute to the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems. For example, forest loss can reduce the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

It is clear that biodiversity loss is a serious threat to the achievement of the SDGs. Cities have a key role to play in addressing this threat by:

• Protecting and restoring natural habitats.

• Reducing their resource consumption.

• Investing in sustainable infrastructure

• Promoting sustainable consumption and production

By taking these steps, cities can help rebuild biodiversity and create a more sustainable future for all.