International Day for Biological Diversity
The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated every year on 22nd May. United Nations recognized the international day to raise awareness about biodiversity concerns. The Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda include the International Day for Biological Diversity. In the Rio+20 result paper “The World We Want: A Future for All,” the critical role of biodiversity in sustainable development was acknowledged.
From its inception in 1993 by the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee until 2000, it was conducted on December 29th to commemorate the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity. UN relocated the date to December 20th, 2000, Partially to avoid the numerous other holidays that occur in late December and partly to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on May 22nd, 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit.
Importance
According to scientists, there are at least 8 million plant and animal species today, including humans. The habitats in which these animals exist are highly complex, and each component of an ecosystem, like a jigsaw puzzle, is dependent on the others. Humans are surrounded by ecosystems and rely on these interwoven webs of plants, animals, and humans. On the other hand, human actions greatly influence ecosystems, such as artificial climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. When a single species is lost due to climate change, pollution, habitat loss, or other natural or artificial reasons, a domino effect can ensue, affecting the entire ecosystem.
Healthy biodiversity and functioning ecosystems are crucial for human societies in several ways. Do you know? Natural resources account for almost half of the world’s GDP (about 44 trillion USD), and nature contributes at least $125 trillion in services yearly. Nature also safeguards our health in a variety of ways. As the current epidemic has demonstrated, the rising harmful influence of human activities on the environment poses a danger to human and ecological health. Furthermore, as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment noted in one of his most recent reports, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss pose a danger to the rights to life, health, food, a healthy environment, water, a decent quality of living, and culture.
Also See: International Day of Forest 2022 Theme
UNESCO
The three pillars of UNESCO’s intersectoral biodiversity plan are to repair the human-nature interaction and regenerate ecosystems, protect the harmony of our ecosystems, and magnify youth’s power. UNESCO-designated 1,121 World Heritage sites, 714 Biosphere Reserves, and 161 Global Geoparks form the backbone of this strategy. It covers 6% of the Earth’s landmass and serves as a critical area where people learn to live in harmony with surrounding living species and share their experiences to benefit all.
In May 2011, the Indonesian Forestry Minister opened the Ciwalen Canopy Trail in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, West Java, which is 120 meters (390 feet) long and 60 meters (200 feet) at an elevation of 30–40 meters (98–131 feet) above the ground. It can accommodate five to ten people in one trip, coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity.
Also Read: International Day For Monuments And Sites 2022
Since the islands provide a rich source of biodiversity for plants, animals, fish, and forestry products UN chose the 2014 subject of Island Biodiversity. Micronutrients are abundant in many indigenous fruits and green leafy vegetables. However, non-communicable illnesses are responsible for two out of every three fatalities, according to the Pacific Community Secretariat (NCDs).
These might arise due to dietary changes caused by the use of highly processed imported items, while native crop species are abandoned or decreased in the diet. As a result, island delegates gathering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 2014 recommended that you should seriously consider more significant research and policy action to promote food variety.
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Fun Fact
How many plants and animals are threatened with Extinct?
Over 1 Million plants and animals worldwide are threatened with Extinct.
