Forests, Forest Species and Ecosystems’ Key Role in Sustaining the Livelihoods of Hundreds of Millions of People, Particularly of Indigenous and Local Communities…
The incalculable value of wildlife
The animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and to sustainable development.
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people.
At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.
Let us remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet. Let us push for a more caring, thoughtful and sustainable relationship with nature.
SEE ALSO:
The world is dealing with unprecedented threats to wildlife. Illegal wildlife trade continues to pose a real danger to biodiversity, ecosystems and human health, as a number of emerging diseases stem from animal products, both domestic and wild. Here are three ways that UNEP works to address this illegal trade.
- World Wildlife Day
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- General Assembly resolution establishing the Day
- International Mother Earth Day
- International Day for Biological Diversity
- International Day of Forests
- World Migratory Bird Day
This year’s International film festival focuses on the immense value of our planet’s forests and the millions of human livelihoods they sustain. Winners and finalist films entered into the competition will be shown throughout 2021, spreading the message that the forests are pillars of humanity’s social and economic well-being, as well as key elements of the planet’s environmental health and biological diversity.
Youth are the leaders of tomorrow. Children have a natural affinity for both animals and plants, as well as art, and they are more and more aware of the challenges facing the planet. This year’s contest is an opportunity to highlight multiple global environmental crises faced by forest ecosystems and the wildlife and humans within, from climate change to biodiversity loss. Discover this year’s finalists!
