VISION 52 – The Nature Conservation Company of Peter Prokosch
Spreading visions for a Global Network of Protected Areas.
Sharing News, Moments, Opportunities, and Positive Surprises on the way toward these visions.
On May 9, 2012, Jørgen Randers gave me his book 2052, a 40-year look into the future, following The Limits of Growth. We both once worked on different levels for WWF International. Sitting in his kitchen in Oslo, I absorbed his wisdom. Yet his pessimistic outlook on 2052, the year I turn 100, triggered counter-thoughts—focusing on possibilities rather than just reality.
When I founded a small company in 2014 alongside Linking Tourism & Conservation (LT&C) to manage my LT&C-related expenses, I named it VISION 52, believing that everyone could do something to improve the outlook for 2052. Over 10 years, with like-minded partners, we identified more than 50 cases (LT&C-Examples) where tourism supports conservation.
LT&C has since merged with Eco-Tourism Europe (ETE), forming ETE-LT&C, now registered in Germany. VISION 52 continues as an independent platform to expand on examples, where tourism supports protected areas.
More than ever, amid today’s Zeitenwende (historical turning point), we need a sense of possibility. In my field—nature conservation—I remain committed to global collaboration to make positive surprises more likely.
As described in The East Atlantic Flyway of Coastal Birds, small beginnings and chance encounters can have remarkable effects. If we want to overcome today’s immense challenges, we must not lose faith in positive surprises.
Before 2015, there was no universal “bible” for all humanity—regardless of religion or politics—comparable to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, over 190 countries committed to achieving these 17 global goals and 169 concrete and measurable sub-goals by 2030. That this was agreed upon is a miracle in itself.
These goals apply to everyone—individuals, organizations, businesses, and nations alike—offering a concrete way to contribute to a better world. Particularly vital are the “green” and “blue” goals: climate (SDG 13), marine biodiversity (SDG 14), terrestrial biodiversity (SDG 15), and clean water (SDG 6). The most famous is the climate target: ensuring Earth’s temperature does not rise more than 1.5°C by 2030.
Major societal changes, such as the shift from fossil fuels to renewables, are intertwined with these goals. While we see political battles over solutions, the need for economic transformation is increasingly recognized.
At least since December 2022, biodiversity conservation has been recognized as just as critical as climate action. At CBD COP 15 in Montreal, world leaders adopted the 30 x 30 target: by 2030, at least 30% of land and marine areas should be effectively protected, especially biodiversity hotspots, and 30% of degraded ecosystems restored. This key goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aligns with climate targets.
We must remind ourselves of the responsibility we have assumed—as humanity, we are all in the same boat.
If Earth’s 4-billion-year history were condensed into a single day, modern humans (Homo sapiens) would appear only four seconds before midnight. In that blink of an eye, we have shaped the planet more than any species before us. The choice to steer it in the right or wrong direction lies entirely with us.
I have had the privilege in my professional life as a biologist and conservationist (link to CV of PP aside this page) of always working on topics and with employers that also corresponded to my personal mission. I was fortunate to have had always the freedom to connect with inspiring people and seize opportunities or small moments that led to larger positive developments.
Through VISION 52, I want to build on this legacy and contribute alongside partners who share these commitments:
You and your organization are invited to partner with VISION 52—sharing visions, taking action, and working together for a thriving planet.
Dr. Peter Prokosch is the Founder and Director of VISION 52 AS, a non-profit conservation company based in Norway. His work focuses on global networking, research, and communication to support the UN goal of protecting 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030.
Until 2022, Peter was the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Linking Tourism & Conservation (LT&C), an international conservation NGO based in Arendal, Norway. From 2006 to 2014, he served as Managing Director of GRID-Arendal, a center collaborating with UN Environment (UNEP). Prior to that, he was CEO of WWF-Germany (2002–2006) and Director of the Arctic Programme at WWF International in Oslo (1992–2002).
In the 1970s and 1980s, Peter played a key role in the conservation and development of the International Wadden Sea, later becoming Head of the WWF Wadden Sea Office in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He studied biology and marine sciences at the University of Kiel, where he earned a PhD focusing on the ecology of Arctic shorebirds.
Throughout his career, Peter has led efforts to establish and expand national parks and nature reserves across the Wadden Sea, the Baltic coast of Germany, Svalbard, Iceland, Siberia, and other parts of the Arctic—often in collaboration with sustainable tourism initiatives.
VISION 52 – The Nature Conservation Company of Peter Prokosch.
Sharing News, Moments, Opportunities, and Positive Surprises toward these visions.
We are grateful that you support the work and mission of Vision 52.
Bank details:
Sparebanken Sør
Postboks 200
N-4662 Kristiansand
Name: Vision 52 AS
Account no.: 2801 37 85386
IBAN: NO82 2801 37 85386
BIC/SWIFT: SPSON22
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