Logo of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2015

The IDB2015 logo is available in the 6 United Nations languages. See: http://www.cbd.int/idb/2015/logo/

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL- MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

22 May 2014
This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity falls in the International Year of Small Island Developing States and is being observed under the theme of “Island Diversity”.

For some 600 million island-dwellers -- nearly one-tenth of the world’s population and representing one in three United Nations Member States -- biodiversity is integral to their subsistence, income, well-being and cultural identity.

Half the world’s marine resources lie in island waters. Biodiversity-based industries such as tourism and fisheries account for more than half the gross domestic product of small island developing states. Coral reefs alone provide an estimated $375 billion annual return in goods and services. Many island species on land and sea are found nowhere else on Earth. Legacies of a unique evolutionary heritage, they hold the promise of future discoveries -- from medicines and foods to biofuels.

Yet, reflecting a global pattern, island biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate in the face of growing risks. Rising sea levels caused by climate change, ocean acidification, invasive alien species, overfishing, pollution and ill-considered development are taking a heavy toll. Many species face the prospect of extinction. People’s livelihoods and national economies are suffering.

The process to define a post-2015 development agenda and the Third Conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa in September of this year both offer opportunities to attend to the unique needs of small island developing states and reverse the global decline in biodiversity. Because of their vulnerability, small island developing states are demonstrating a growing understanding of the links between healthy ecosystems and human well-being. Many have made local, national and regional commitments to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity, including through ratifying important instruments such as the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. I call on all countries around the world to follow suit and ratify the Protocol without delay.

Around the world, many innovative partnerships are being forged to preserve marine and coastal resources, enhance resilience to climate change and develop sustainable tourism, fisheries and other industries. On this International Day, let us commit to adopting, adapting and scaling up best practices so we can protect fragile ecosystems for the benefit of all the islanders -- and indeed people everywhere -- who depend on them.

Poster for the International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2014

The theme Island Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States.

“Water and Biodiversity”

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is pleased to announce the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May 2013 will be:

 

“Water and Biodiversity”

 

The theme was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. UNESCO has been chosen as the lead agency to promote the global celebrations and to help raise awareness on the critical issues facing water management.

 

Water sustains all life on Earth. It is vital for all people and ultimately determines our way of life.  Providing and sustaining water for the needs of people around the world is already well recognized as a major challenge for sustainable development in most areas in both developed and developing countries.  The ecosystems of our world, but particularly forests and wetlands, ensure that clean water is available to human communities. Water in turn underpins all ecosystem services.

 

Wetlands can help reduce risks from flooding.  Restoring soils can reduce erosion and pollution and can increase water available for crops. Protected areas can assist in providing water to cities.  These are but a few examples of how ecosystem management can help us solve water-related problems.

 

Water – the source of all Life on Earth - is a cross-cutting topic and requires partnerships for its management. Solutions to water management issues are included in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets.

 

The Secretariat will develop, in early 2013, a variety of outreach materials to help celebrate the day including a web page with key messages and a booklet on the theme

 

To assist in this preparation, I invite all Parties, non-governmental organizations and other organizations to provide their suggestions on ways to celebrate this day.

 

I further invite all to begin their preparations for celebrating IDB 2013. Suggested activities for the day, and updated news on the latest developments will be made be available on the designated IDB site at: http://www.cbd.int/idb/.

 

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-138-idb-en.pdf

 

BIODIVERSITY WEEK AT ST-LAURENT ACADEMY- OTTAWA, CANADA

Grade 6 students cleaned and assembled a woodchuck skeleton. 

Grade 3 students learned about the human microbiome using stickers for microbes.

Grade 3 students were welcomed by an American redstart during a nature hike.

At Macoun Marsh, mother painted turtles are laying eggs. 

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY!

Marine Biodiversity is the theme for this year's International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on May 22. Designation of IDB 2012 on the theme of marine ecosystems provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and everyone interested in marine life, the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.

From 2000 to 2010, an unprecedented worldwide collaboration by a global community of scientists set out to try and determine how much life is in the oceans.

By the time the Census ended, about 250,000 species were identified.  In its final report, the Census team suggested it could be at least a million. There are those that believe the figure could be twice as high. 

For more info see: http://www.cbd.int/idb/2012/

Images by Mike Leveille