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The International Day for Biological Diversity is recognized annually on the 22nd of May. This important day serves to increase understanding and awareness on the topic of biodiversity, as well as the pressing issues connected to it.
The Theme for 2020: “Our Solutions Are In Nature”
The chosen theme for the year 2020 sheds light on the crucial role that biodiversity plays in addressing numerous sustainable development challenges. From providing nature-based solutions to climate change, enhancing food and water security, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity proves to be the backbone of a sustainable future.
2020: A Year of Reflection, Opportunity, and Solutions
The year 2020 provided a significant chance to reflect, identify opportunities, and find solutions for biodiversity issues. A number of pivotal events and periods were seen during this year including:
1. The final period for the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan on Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
2. The conclusion of the 2011-2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, which paved the way for the launch of new crucial biodiversity-related decades for the period 2021-2030: the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The UN Biodiversity Summit (15th Conference of the Parties: COP-15)
The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity was a key highlight of 2020. It served to underscore the urgency of actions required in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. This framework not only contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but also steers the global community towards realizing the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.
Sustainable Development Goal 15
Sustainable Development Goal 15 works towards preserving, rehabilitating, and promoting sustainable utilization of terrestrial ecosystems. Its aim is to manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and stop biodiversity loss.
Important Dates
Several environmental observances coincide with the following dates: World Water Day on 22nd March, Earth Day on 22nd April, and World Biodiversity Day on 22nd May.
Earth Hour 2020
The Earth Hour, observed on 28th March 2020, acts as a global call to action for the protection of our planet. It encourages people to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm according to their local time, symbolising a commitment to the cause.
Annual commemorations such as the International Day for Biological Diversity and Earth Hour are evidence of the global community’s efforts in actively addressing vital issues related to biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of finding nature-based solutions for a sustainable future.
