International Day for Biological Diversity 2024: Background, Theme
Important Day
6 min read
Every year, 22 May is observed as the International Day for Biodiversity. The day seeks to raise awareness about the natural world's importance as a major source of water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, and energy for human beings. It also seeks to raise awareness amongst people and policymakers to protect, respect, and repair our biological wealth.
Background to the International Day for Biodiversity
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in December 2000 to observe 22 May as International Day for Biodiversity.
The day is significant because, on 22 May, the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted.
The first International Day for Biodiversity was observed on 22 May 2001.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life—humans, animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi—found in one region or ecosystem.
An ecosystem refers to a geographical area comprising living things, such as humans, plants, animals, etc., and nonliving things, such as rocks, water, temperature, humidity, etc.
Areas of the earth with extremely high biodiversity levels and endemic species are known as hotspots.
Endemic species are those species found in only one particular ecosystem.
Threat to Biodiversity
According to the scientists, there are an estimated 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. Of these, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far.
However, much of the earth’s biodiversity is threatened due to human activities and consumption.
Modern agricultural practices and industrial and allied activities have led to an increase in pollution. The rapid increase in human population, climate change, and pollution due to human activity have led to the loss of biodiversity and a rise in the rate of species extinction. According to the United Nations, around 10 lakh plant and animal species are facing extinction.
Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. To preserve biodiversity and to protect endangered species and their habitats, conservation efforts are needed both at the local, regional and global levels.
Conservation of Species and International efforts
To protect the ecosystem and conserve the species of the world, a text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted on the eve of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development or the Earth Summit held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in 1992 on 22 May 1992.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity was signed during the Earth Summit, which came into force on 29 December 1993.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was the first international agreement for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its component
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) in December 2022. It sets goals and concrete measures to stop and reverse the loss of nature by 2050.
Theme of the 2024 International Day for Biodiversity
The theme of the 2024 International Day for Biodiversity is ‘Be part of the Plan’.
The theme calls upon the international community to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity worldwide and support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Colombia, a South American country, will host the 16th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) from 21 October to 1 November 2024.
