Business day on biodiversity attracted many to Tjärnö
Biodiversity and its importance for the economy and business was the focus of Wednesday's Business Day at Tjärnö Marine Laboratory.
Around 40 participants from different companies, the University 91̽ and several public authorities met to gain more knowledge in the field, and to experience marine biodiversity in practice.
"Why should companies care about biodiversity?"
This question was posed by Viktor Elliot, a researcher in business administration and one of the speakers at Wednesday's business conference at Tjärnö Laboratory. He provided the answer himself, referencing research in the field.
"50% of our GDP is directly dependent on biodiversity and the services it produces", he said and continued:
"This means that without biodiversity, we have no GDP".
The theme of the day was "Business and Marine Biodiversity – A Sustainable Future" and just in time for Viktor's keynote address, participants had already listened to lectures on topics such as cold water corals, eelgrass and coastal ocean ecology.
Knowledge is caring
One of the aims of Wednesday's business conference was to spread more knowledge about the sea. This is according to Susanne Lindegart, researcher at the Department of Marine 91̽s.
"With more knowledge and more sense for the sea, which you can get here on Tjärnö, the awareness and willingness to work to preserve and protect the sea also increases. People want to take care of what they like."
Together with Malin Rosengren, project coordinator for the Centre for Sea and Society, Susanne was the project coordinator for the day.
Participants also got a literal taste of diversity in the touch pool at the Tjärnö Laboratory, where marine biologist Christin Appelqvist showed off starfish, sea cucumbers, and other species found in the sea outside. An appreciated feature, where the visitors' fascination with what lies beneath the surface of the sea was visible.
"It's very interesting and fun to be here and share this knowledge. We need to work more together, and find and spread ideas within the region on how we can strengthen biodiversity", said Cecilia Engqvist, Environmental Manager at Volvo Trucks in Gothenburg, one of the participants.
The sea characterised the whole day
The sea theme continued into the dining room where mussel soup was served before it was time for the afternoon tour with the research vessel Nereus. With the help of the ROV, Tjärnö's underwater robot, the conference participants were able to see the diversity of animal life found in the depths of the Koster Sea.
"It was a fantastic day, to see the activities here, how important and concrete they are. I have long been curious about Tjärnö. And today I got the chance to come here", said Mia Björkil, regional developer at Region Västra Götaland.
She also thought it was very good to meet representatives of the business community.
"I have gained a lot of new knowledge and a greater understanding of how everything is connected."
The wind is the key to shipping's transition
The day also included a presentation by Per Tunell, ship designer at Wallenius shipping company, who talked about his company views of the importance of biodiversity, and what is being done to reduce the shipping company's impact on climate and the environment. Among other things, a project is underway with modern sails to reduce emissions from the ships.
‘We believe that wind is a central part of the shipping industry's transition", said Per Tunell.
The business day concluded with discussions, where participants were asked to work in small groups to identify ways in which companies can work to enhance biodiversity.
"The challenges of creating a sustainable society and enhancing biodiversity require multidisciplinary solutions. These are hugely complex problems that involve everyone in society. That's why it's so important to have these kinds of meetings, where we come from different places with different competences, and sit down together and discuss", Viktor Elliot said.
Text and photo: Mikael Andersson
The Business Day was jointly organised by Sambio - Collaboration for Biodiversity, , Tjärnö Marine Laboratory and the Centre for Marine and Society, University 91̽.
The day included lectures by:
Marina Panova, researcher and station manager, University 91̽, on the present and history of the Tjärnö Laboratory
Pierre de Wit, researcher in marine biology, University 91̽, on the ecology and biodiversity of the coastal seas
Susanna Strömberg, researcher in marine biology, University 91̽, on the importance of preserving our eye corals in the Kosterfjord
, research leader, Maritime Museum Aquarium, on the importance of eelgrass and on invasive species in the marine environment
Viktor Elliot, researcher in business administration, University 91̽, on support and requirements for business today and in the future
Matthias Obst, researcher in marine environmental monitoring, University 91̽, on tools for measuring and monitoring biodiversity in coastal areas
Wallenius Shipping Company, on sustainable shipping
