Celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity 2024: Be part of the plan

As May 22nd approaches, the international community prepares to commemorate World Biodiversity Day, a significant event dedicated to acknowledging the diverse array of life on Earth. This year, with the theme “Be Part of the Plan,” the focus lies on an imperative call to action: stopping and reversing biodiversity decline by enacting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, commonly referred to as the Biodiversity Plan.

The International Day for Biodiversity is celebrated every year on May 22nd to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on May 22, 1992. Led by the Secretariat of the CBD, this day brings together governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, NGOs, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to highlight their contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

This year’s celebration focuses on the pressing issue of biodiversity loss, which poses a significant threat to our existence. Biodiversity includes various plant and animal species, as well as genetic variations within each species and the different ecosystems they live in. These ecosystems are vital in providing essential services such as food, medicine, climate regulation, and cultural enrichment.

Human actions like cutting deforestation, pollution, habitat destruction, and overexploitation of resources too quickly are making biodiversity disappear faster. This loss doesn’t just harm the environment – it also affects people’s health, food supply, and stability in society.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how closely linked human health is to biodiversity. When habitats get smaller and ecosystems get damaged, the chances of diseases spreading from animals to humans increase. On the other hand, protecting biodiversity can help us fight new diseases, showing how connected nature and human health are.

Amidst this setting, the Biodiversity Plan shines as a symbol of optimism, providing a guide to protect and revive the abundance of nature. By promoting teamwork and alliances among different fields, the plan establishes challenging goals to stop the decline of biodiversity by 2030 and reach a sustainable future by 2050.

On this occasion of World Biodiversity Day, we should take the chance to contribute to the plan. Whether it’s through policies, community conservation projects, eco-friendly business practices, or personal decisions, each person can help conserve biodiversity for current and upcoming generations.

This year, the Convention on Biological Diversity will hold two important meetings in Nairobi: the twenty-sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI). These meetings are crucial for promoting biodiversity conservation and preparing for COP 16, which will take place in Colombia in October 2024.

As we approach World Biodiversity Day, let’s raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and take concrete actions to protect the interconnectedness of life that sustains us all. Together, we can drive change and guide humanity towards a more balanced relationship with nature.

Remember, when biodiversity thrives, so do we. Let’s come together and promise to protect our planet’s valuable biodiversity, now and always.