Consultivo Blog | Environment & Energy
Biological Diversity signifies the existence of rich flora & fauna, lush green forests inhabited by countless animal and plant species
that we find on earth is vital to adjust to the ever-changing & evolving conditions on our planet.
22nd May might not seem to be any different a day. But 25 years back, the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted by the United Nations on this day which was then officially established by the UN in 1993 on the first anniversary of the adoption of the Convention of Biological Diversity.
Since then, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated worldwide on the 22nd of May.
This year, the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity is ‘Celebrating 25 years of Action for Biodiversity’.
But the question remains that why should we celebrate it?
What good would it do?
Biodiversity is beautiful. But it’s not just about beauty. Well, the importance behind celebrating this day has far more serious reasons that can be fathomed.
The diverse and vast spectrum of plants & animal species not only add beauty to our nature but are essential components of our ecosystem and help in sustaining life on earth.
The word ‘biodiversity’ signifies the existence of rich flora & fauna, lush green forests inhabited by countless animal and plant species along with the unexplored world under water. This myriad of biological diversity that we find on earth is vital to adjust to the ever-changing & evolving conditions on our planet earth. If a living species goes extinct, then a forest with 20 other kinds is likely to adapt better than one with less or just one kind.
Bio-diversity forms the web of life where different life forms and elements of nature & environment interact with each other that have made the earth a uniquely habitable place for humans & other life forms. It is an interlinked chain which is integral to the sustainable development of life and upon which we all are dependent.
But, over time, we humans have engaged ourselves in such activities that directly or sometimes indirectly, adversely affect the biological elements of the world. It is a general assumption that by the end of the century, 50% of the living species will become extinct because of the impact of our daily activities and indifferent attitude towards our environment & nature.
Celebrating the Convention on Biological Diversity: An effort to reinstate the ecological balance
This day is primarily celebrated to draw our attention to all the possible threats to our biologically diverse universe and play our part in conserving the ecological balance of our ecosystem.It is to re-establish our commitment to sustainable development of life on earth & the sustainable use of its components by taking the necessary actions & steps for the conservation of biological diversity.
Just imagine the forests without lions, skies without birds, seas without the mysterious migration of eels, mountains without their spectacular charisma and ponds without the sound of tree frogs’ croaking. Life wouldn’t be possible without the diverse existence of creatures & natural elements. Even if we think it might be, it wouldn’t be worth living.
Did you know?
- Three species disappear every hour
- 100 to 150 species disappear every day
- 15,000 to 80,000 species disappear every year
Similarly, there are many such examples which show how the bio-diversity is getting affected disbalancing the ecological equilibrium. That day wouldn’t be far behind when this Cree Indian saying would come true, “Only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.”
But it’s never too late for taking the right steps. On this 25th International day for Biological Diversity, let us be more aware and responsible towards our environment and do our bit to restore and maintain the bio-diversity & ecological balance of our beautiful planet.
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Category: Blog
Tags: Environment & Energy
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