International Day for
Biological Diversity 22 May
We are part of the solution
As the global community is called to re-examine our
relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our
technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant
ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy,
just to name a few.
This year 2021 the theme is “We’re part of the solution”.
The slogan was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year
under the over-arching theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, which served as a
reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable
development challenges.
From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues,
food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the
foundation upon which we can build back better. That is the main message from
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), key international instrument for
sustainable development. You can find in its website promotional materials for
your own campaign!
Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the
wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, but it also includes
genetic differences within each species — for example, between varieties of
crops and breeds of livestock — and the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forest,
deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple kind of interactions among
their members (humans, plants, animals).
Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which
we build civilizations. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein
to about 3 billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by
plants. As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing
countries rely on traditional plant‐based
medicines for basic healthcare.
But loss of biodiversity threatens all, including our
health. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses -
diseases transmitted from animals to humans- while, on the other hand, if we
keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics
like those caused by coronaviruses.
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