New Delhi (NVI): In the run-up to ‘International Day of Biodiversity 2020’ on May 22, a Biodiversity Week will be observed from May 18-22 as the global community will come together online and re-examine our relationship to the natural world.
The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) takes place every year on May 22. It is the United Nations-sanctioned international day for promoting awareness around biodiversity issues.
This year’s theme, “Our solutions are in nature,” reminds us that biodiversity is the basis for a sustainable future.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the day this year will be commemorated through its first-ever online-only campaign, according to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
“This year, IDB offers an opportunity for us as a global community to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, reflect on challenges and accomplishments, and renew our determination in overcoming the environmental challenges facing the world today,” says Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN).
Biodiversity builds on a growing movement toward nature-based solutions, which harness the power of ecosystem services to mitigate effects of the climate crisis. In addition, biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms.
It's International Biodiversity Week!
Biodiversity provides so many benefits.
Insects pollinate many foods we eat, and plants can help reduce flooding & provide climate regulation.
Biological diversity is critical to a healthy planet & healthy people?#ForNature #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/NFO07PqRv6
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) May 18, 2020
On December 29, 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity came into force and each anniversary of this date was designated the International Day for Biological Diversity. From 2001 onwards the date of this celebration was moved to May 22 due to the number of holidays that fell in late December.
This year’s theme- ‘Our solutions are in nature’ emphasises hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
The theme will cover 3 topics during the week leading up to the observance: 18 May will cover the importance of knowledge and science; 19-21 May will raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity; and finally, the day of the observance, will issue a call to action.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a convention under the UN system, which aims its work to preserve biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use. Given the ongoing pandemic, for the first time, CBD will celebrate this day in a digital format via online-only campaign.
This year, CBD Secretariat is in the process of creating digital assets to support celebration of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDB).
