The theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023 is ‘Agreement to Action: Building Back Biodiversity’. (Representational Image: Shutterstock)
International Biodiversity Day 2023: The day is a reminder of the incredible diversity of species, ecosystems and genetic resources that make our planet unique
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: International Day for Biodiversity, observed on 22 May, is a global observance that highlights the importance of biodiversity and its vital role in sustaining life on Earth. The day is a reminder of the incredible diversity of species, ecosystems and genetic resources that make our planet unique. It is a time to reflect on the web of life and to recognize the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.
Biodiversity includes the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms and the ecosystems in which they live. It is the foundation of our food, water, air and overall well-being. The alarming rates of species extinction, habitat loss and degradation pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The International Day for Biological Diversity aims to raise awareness of these challenges and to promote efforts to protect and conserve biodiversity.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: Theme
The suggested theme for this year’s commemoration is “Agreement to Action: Building Back Biodiversity”. Now, in implementing this framework lies the urgency to make a rapid transition from mere agreement to concrete action.
Convention Parties and all stakeholders are strongly encouraged to initiate their actions to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework on 22 May, if they have not already done so. For those already following through with their actions, the International Day for Biological Diversity provides an excellent opportunity to showcase and further highlight these efforts.
Looking ahead, it is proposed that all future themes for the International Day for Biological Diversity align with and build upon the themes of the Conference of the Parties (COPs) during the two-year interim period between COPs. It ensures that the focus and direction of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the CBD Parties remain consistent with decisions made at the United Nations Biodiversity Conventions.
Let us seize this important opportunity to move from words to action, working together to restore and protect our planet’s precious biodiversity. May 22 is the day to unite, show our progress and pave the way for a brighter future for all living beings.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: History
Get ready to celebrate the wonders of our planet’s biodiversity on May 22 as we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. This special day, which was initially marked at the end of December, has now found its rightful place in the calendar to coincide with the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.
By changing the date, the UN General Assembly aims to enhance our understanding and raise awareness of the important issues surrounding biodiversity. It is a day when we come together to marvel at the incredible diversity of life on Earth and recognize the importance of preserving and protecting it for future generations. So mark your calendars and join us on May 22 in a global celebration of the rich tapestry of life on our planet.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: Significance
The International Day for Biological Diversity is of great importance as it serves as a global platform to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues along with the urgent need for its conservation. The day provides an opportunity to educate people around the world about the importance of biodiversity. It highlights the value of diverse ecosystems, species and genetic resources to the well-being of humanity and the planet.
Biodiversity faces unprecedented threats, such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution and overexploitation. The International Day for Biological Diversity is a reminder of the urgent need to take action and protect biodiversity to ensure the long-term survival of ecosystems and species. Biodiversity is important for sustainable development. It plays an important role in providing ecosystem services such as clean air and water, pollination, soil fertility and climate regulation. The day emphasizes the link between biodiversity conservation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2023: Quotes
- A lifetime could be spent in one Magellanic voyage around the trunk of a single tree. , EO Wilson
- In tree plantation, one has to maintain the ecosystem, not the tree plantation. , Daniel Mathews
- The purpose of all diversity is companionship. The one who wants companionship is the self. , Van Kumbh
- No amount of money will save us if we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function. , david suzuki
- Biodiversity begins in the distant past and it points to the future. , Francis Lanting
- Mass human actions are changing, even destroying, the biosphere through global warming and biodiversity loss – perhaps irreversibly. , Martin Rees
- While we learn to use it and understand what it means to humanity, we must preserve every piece of biodiversity as precious. , EO Wilson
- Through food, I have become more interested in conserving the soil, the way things are grown, and biodiversity. , mary mccartney
- Uniformity is not the way of nature; Diversity is the way of nature. , Vandana Shiva
- We share this planet with many species. It is our responsibility to protect them for their own good and ours. , Pamela A. Mattson