With 2024 set to be the hottest year on record, the urgency of climate change is driving us to redouble our efforts to find solutions that rise to the challenge. What if free evolution, an emerging but promising concept, could be part of the answer?
On January 20, 2025, I had the honor of introducing the second session of the inter-network seminar “Les journées de la libre évolution”, in my capacity as President of the French Committee of the IUCN, alongside two great committed figures: Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, and Michèle RAMIS, President of the French National Commission for UNESCO.
Organized by the IUCN French Committee in partnership with the French National Commission for UNESCO, this event represents a new milestone in our collective thinking on free evolution. Our work is guided by two main objectives:
To share feedback on free evolution initiatives carried out within networks of natural area managers, in order to enrich our practices;
Build common positions to make free evolution a central issue recognized worldwide.
Why free evolution?
Free evolution, or allowing certain natural areas to regenerate without direct human intervention, offers a new vision of biodiversity conservation. It invites us to consider nature as an autonomous actor, capable of rebuilding itself and adapting to environmental upheavals.
Convinced of the relevance of this approach, the IUCN French Committee has tabled an ambitious motion entitled “Promoting free evolution and the tools to sustain it”, with a view to the World Conservation Congress to be held in October 2025. The challenge is to ensure that this concept is recognized as a global priority, particularly at a time when bold, innovative solutions are needed more than ever.
A collective dynamic driven by committed experts
I would like to pay tribute to the remarkable work of the French Committee’s teams, and in particular that of Erwan Cherel and the “Wilderness and feral nature” working group chaired by Pascal Cavallin of the Conservatoire du littoral. Their mobilization has enabled concrete projects to move forward, while fuelling essential collective reflection.
A tribute to Raphaël Larrère
This event was held in an atmosphere tinged with reflection and emotion. We had a special thought for Raphaël Larrère, an agricultural engineer who recently passed away, and whose work had a profound impact on the debate around free evolution. In June 2023, he organized a symposium at Cerisy entitled “Le renouveau du sauvage”, in partnership with several members of the IUCN French Committee. His vision and ideas continue to inspire our actions.
Free evolution, a global challenge
Faced with the challenges of climate change, free evolution is not just an ecological response; it reflects a new way of thinking about our relationship with nature. Allowing natural areas to express themselves without human intervention gives them a chance to regenerate, while reinforcing our understanding of ecosystems.
Together, let’s make free evolution a real lever for action in response to global environmental challenges.
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