The First Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment brought to light

Santo Domingo, 9/10/2011

Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) brought to light the first Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment, at a ceremony led by President Leonel Fernandez.  

The dictionary is an instrument that fills a gap in the country, because it contains generic terms and concepts of interest on environmental issues and conservation, in a 463-page full color book.  

The book contains 712 terms, 19 thematic areas, 58 tables, 123 figures and 700 photographs, of which 200 are of the Dominican Republic.  

The Vice-President of the National Council on Climate Change, Omar Ramírez, described the dictionary as an exceptional document, the result of a collaborative effort by the environmental community of the country, stressing that the bibliographic references used by biology students at the Dominican university until now are general text, without specific reference to the Dominican milieu, making the Dictionary and its up to date information adapted to the Dominican biodiversity, its richness and its main threats, an essential academic tool.  

He stressed that the work introduces the reader to the main environmental problems, both at the global and national levels, the challenges that the world faces today and how to overcome them.  

"Finally, the dictionary presents at once the problems as well as the solutions, and this is an innovative aspect in dictionary format," he added.  

The official, who was in charge of the book commentary, said that it is a dictionary par excellence for the current and future generations of teachers and students.  

He also stressed that the reader finds in this book useful resources, including maps of protected areas and a list of the main public and non-governmental institutions of the Dominican Republic.  

On the other hand, the Director of the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, Natasha Despotovic, underscored that the dictionary aims to provide up-to-date and complete information on the country’s environment and natural resources.  

"The work is a product of Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development and its mission is also to present the projects undertaken by the public, private and non-governmental sectors in the area of the environment and the existing legislation," she added.  

She said that the dictionary seeks to increase the visibility of the dangers of a polluted and neglected environment and, at the same time, to promote respect, care, reasonable use and the protection of the environment. 

For her part, Oceanographer Sylvia Earle said that with knowledge comes care and that the dictionary offers the opportunity to see the Dominican Republic with greater knowledge.  

She said that she feel grateful to have been invited to the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival, while she pointed out that the Dominican Republic has given an example to the rest of the world with the creation of the dictionary.  

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Among the environmental challenges this dictionary presents are themes on the extinction of the species in the country, invasive species, forest fires, deforestation, climate change, fresh water, soil erosion, pollution, migratory species, as well as energy and the environment.  

Regarding conservation methods, the highlight is on protected areas, sustainable agriculture, payment for environmental services, marine coastal conservation, sustainable development, conservation and poverty, ecological restoration, ecotourism and knowledge management and learning. 

The project was directed by Natasha Despotovic, while Semiramis de Miranda provided the overall coordination, and Emy Rodríguez coordinated the content. The book was edited by Miryam López, the graphic design was provided by Maria Montas, the photographs are Anne Casalé’s, Silvia Gutiérrez and Asunción Sanz did the proofreading, while Danilo Pérez, Yamile Eusebio and Ramón Cruz provided the logistical support.