Measuring progress in nature conservation
against the CBD and PEBLDS
22 May - International Day of Biodiversity
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22, the International
Day for Biological Diversity, to increase understanding
and awareness of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity is
the source of the essential goods and ecological services
that constitute the source of life for all. The celebration
each year of the International Day for Biological Diversity
is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard
this precious heritage for future generations.
As announced by Hamdallah Zedan, the Executive Secretary
to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the theme
for International Day for Biological Diversity 2005
is:
Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World
IBD 2005's theme asks people to look at Biodiversity beyond
its value for short-term consumption, extraction and direct
use. The message for the year is simple: Biodiversity is the
life insurance of life itself.
More specifically, diversity within species helps a given
species survive rapid changes in the surrounding ecosystem.
Diversity between species increases the resilience of ecosystems,
by enhancing functions and providing multiple sources for
ecosystem services. Greater resilience in ecosystems make
sustainable development possible and protect all life from
the potential consequences of non-linear change, including
sudden changes to ecosystems, such as that brought on by disasters.
This message has been part of the work of the Convention
for years and was reiterated at the World Summit for Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg in 2002, and should be a fundamental
understanding of any approach to the long-term conservation
and use of biodiversity.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment's biodiversity synthesis
report has an important bearing on this year's theme for IBD
- "Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World".
Among other aspects, the report highlights the role of ecosystem
services in sustaining life and providing protection for the
vulnerable. It also draws the link between the risks of rapid
non-linear change and the increased demands that people are
placing on ecosystems around the world. Ecosystem services
provide human beings with options, which is of particular
importance to the poor and the vulnerable.
The report contains six key findings which can be rewritten
to suit the different target audiences you may be trying to
reach. We recommend that these main findings be stressed in
all communications materials related to the International
Biodiversity Day. Below we present the findings from the report,
rewritten for a general audience.
What is the problem? (finding 1) In the last 50 years, Human
actions have changed the diversity of life on the planet more
than at any other time in history. Our activities have lifted
many people out of poverty, but at the price of a loss of
biodiversity. If we continue down this road, we will reduce
biological diversity, with life-threatening consequences.
Why is biodiversity loss a concern? (findings 2 and 3) Biodiversity
is the foundation for human well-being. Not only does it provide
the materials we need for food, clothing and shelter, but
also gives us security, health and freedom of choices. The
current pace and rhythm of our activities are harming ecosystems,
consuming biological resources and putting at risk the well-being
of future generations.
What are the causes of biodiversity loss and how they are
changing? (finding 4) Human activities are leading to the
loss of the variety of life. Population increase and economic
activity, fuelled by technological change and our patterns
of political and cultural life are placing undue pressure
on ecosystems. Our actions are changing habitats, the climate,
overexploiting resources, creating pollution and promoting
the spread of invasive alien species. If current patterns
continue, the loss of biodiversity will accelerate, not diminish.
What actions can be taken? (finding 5) We know that in the
past, actions and programmes that promoted conservation and
the sustainable use of biological diversity limited biodiversity
loss. This is promising, but we are not doing enough. To further
reduce and to stop the loss of biodiversity will require a
whole host of new and stronger actions. Sustainable human
development remains the primary goal and we need to strengthen
the range and power of our ability to respond to biodiversity
loss.
The 2010 target and its implications (finding 6) The size
of the task ahead of us is so great that the 2010 biodiversity
target will only realistically be achieved in certain areas
and regions if we engage in substantial efforts. This sobering
conclusion is not hopeless. Humankind can choose to act now
for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity if
it changes the way it is causing change, carefully chooses
the ways it responds to change and makes the right tradeoffs.
