Earthwatch and Rio Tinto launch film to celebrate 20 years of working together
Earthwatch is pleased to launch its new film, which documents and celebrates 20 years of the environmental organisation’s partnership with international mining group Rio Tinto.
For two decades Earthwatch and Rio Tinto have worked together on partnership initiatives that have positively impacted communities and biodiversity conservation worldwide. Earthwatch has worked closely with Rio Tinto to develop the processes and tools needed to implement an effective biodiversity strategy and contributed to the development and support of Earthwatch research and education programmes worldwide.
Dave Hillyard, Earthwatch’s International Director of Partnerships says, ”Over 20 years, Earthwatch has grown and expanded its model of partnership working with business. Through our work with Rio Tinto we have demonstrated that business can play a positive role in protecting nature, supporting educational initiatives and enhancing livelihoods.”
The new film profiles three case studies that illustrate how this long-standing partnership has achieved just that. The first tells the story of Madagascan biologist Johny Rabenantoandro, who whilst working as a field biologist for Rio Tinto took part in the Earthwatch capacity building programme – aimed at providing training opportunities for early career scientists in developing countries. The management, leadership and team-working skills that Johny acquired through the programme played a vital role in his professional development and eventual appointment to the role of Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Manager at Rio Tinto in Madagascar.
The second case study profiles ClimateWatch, an initiative spearheaded by Earthwatch in Australia with the support of Rio Tinto. ClimateWatch is a national project whereby members of the public can participate in and record their observations of species response to climate change on a national database. It provides the opportunity for ordinary people to contribute to valuable scientific research as part of their normal daily lives.
Finally, we visit Earthwatch’s Drylands Research Centre in Samburu, Kenya, where Rio Tinto’s support has led to the establishment of a climate change mapping initiative, whereby local community members are empowered to monitor the impacts to climate change of the landscapes where they
The film is available to view now on the Earthwatch website as well as on its YouTube channel.