On 22nd May 2019 we will be celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity which is a United Nations-sanctioned event highlighting a commitment to protecting biodiversity, conserving all living species and preserving the variety of life on Earth.
Animals, plants, different habitats, bacteria and insects are all the result of an evolution which began billions of years ago, but unfortunately this natural balance is being damaged in an increasingly alarming manner by man’s interference.
Although the ultimate number of species out there is unknown to start with, information shared by the World Wide Fund for Nature estimates that the current extinction rate is 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate which could equate to up to 100,000 species becoming extinct every year.
This is leading us towards the sixth mass extinction which, unlike the mass extinction events of geological history, would be the first where one species – man – is wholly responsible.
The theme of this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity is ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’, aiming to build knowledge and awareness of the dependency of our food systems, nutrition, and health on biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
Although this is something we should be more aware of every day, 22nd May is an opportunity to get involved and start taking steps towards a healthier and happier planet.
Find out more: https://www.cbd.int/idb/2019/