Biodiversity: Our Solutions Are in Nature

Nature-based solutions offer ways to promote human well-being, tackle climate change and protect our living planet.

“The theme shows that people are part of nature rather than separate from nature,” says Elizabeth Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Why is biodiversity important for people?

“Despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy,” says Mrema.

Biodiversity ensures that we have fertile soil, as well as a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables to eat. It is the foundation of most of our industries and livelihoods and helps regulate climate through carbon storage and regulating rainfall. It also filters our air and water and mitigates the impact of natural disasters such as landslides and coastal storms.

On land, the most important ecosystems and biodiversity refuges are forests, which are home to most of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity: 80% of amphibian species; 75% of bird species, and 68% of mammal species, according to the soon-to-be-released State of the World’s Forests

How you can get involved 

Together with World Bee Day (20 May) and World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May), the International Day for Biological Diversity is devoted to raising awareness on areas that deal with the different objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, namely biodiversity conservation; health, food security and biodiversity; and people, culture and biodiversity.

World Environment Day on 5 June is also celebrating biodiversity. The occasion’s theme–It’s Time for Nature—highlights how nature delivers vital services to humanity and the urgent need to halt its destruction. Consult the websites of these events to access tools, educational resources and social media kits to help you learn and raise awareness about these critical issues.

Nature is in crisis, threatened by biodiversity and habitat loss, global heating and toxic pollution. Failure to act is failing humanity. Addressing the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and protecting ourselves against future global threats requires sound management of hazardous medical and chemical waste; strong and global stewardship of nature and biodiversity; and a clear commitment to “building back better”, creating green jobs and facilitating the transition to carbon neutral economies. Humanity depends on action now for a resilient and sustainable future.

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, led by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and partners covers terrestrial as well as coastal and marine ecosystems. A global call to action, it will draw together political support, scientific research and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration. Learn more. 

*SOURCE: UN Environment. Go to ORIGINAL. 2020 Human Wrongs Watch