The International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) is celebrated every year on 22 May. This universal observance commemorates the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992 and provides a unique opportunity to foster wide support for the Convention, its Protocols, and related action frameworks. Most people ask, what role does biodiversity play in our life? Let’s delve into this intricate web.

Biodiversity is the collective term for the full variety of life on Earth. While many equate it to the sheer number of species, it is a concept far more intricate. Biodiversity encompasses genetic diversity within species, the variety of habitats, and the extensive biological units known as biomes, such as the coniferous forest biome.

This diversity is fundamental to the existence of life on Earth, including human life. It provides essential services such as clean water, oxygen, food, clothing, and shelter, along with psychological benefits that are often overlooked. However, biodiversity is under severe threat from habitat destruction and fragmentation, direct harvesting, pollution, and climate change.

The threats to biodiversity are multifaceted. Habitat destruction and fragmentation are direct threats, disrupting the living spaces of countless species. Indirectly, human activities such as altering the nitrogen cycle and causing the proliferation of dead zones in estuaries and coastal waters contribute to the problem.

The current extinction rate, estimated at 1,000 times the normal rate, is likely an understatement. We are in the early stages of a catastrophic loss of biodiversity driven by increasing human population and developmental pressures.

While the Amazon rainforest is often highlighted as a critical area for conservation, tropical forests worldwide, including those in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America, are being severely impacted. Surprisingly, grasslands are also at risk as they are increasingly used for raising domestic animals.

There is a vast amount of degraded land globally, which has prompted initiatives like the UN desertification convention aimed at restoring these lands to productivity and enhancing biodiversity.

A fundamental shift in perception is necessary to address these issues. We must move away from viewing nature as isolated pockets within human-dominated landscapes and instead integrate our aspirations with nature. This involves restoring vegetation along watercourses and re-establishing natural connections within landscapes, facilitating species migration in response to climate change.

Ecosystem restoration is vital not only for biodiversity but also for reducing atmospheric carbon levels, which contribute to global climate change. Historical data reveals that destroyed and degraded ecosystems have released 450-500 gigatons of carbon over the last 8,000 years, more than the total carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuel combustion to date. Restored ecosystems have the potential to sequester up to one-third of the carbon needed for climate mitigation.

Countries like Costa Rica and Botswana exemplify successful biodiversity conservation. Costa Rica, known as the “Green Republic,” has 28% of its territory protected by national parks and has made significant strides in reforestation. This success is partly due to an ecosystem services law that taxes gasoline to fund reforestation efforts.

As a result, Costa Rica has reversed deforestation, with over half of its land now covered by forests. Similarly, Botswana has capitalized on its wilderness and wildlife by outlawing trophy hunting and fostering a thriving ecotourism industry. Properly managed, ecotourism supports local economies and reinforces the economic well-being of regional communities.

The Convention on Biological Diversity, signed by 150 governments at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, set ambitious targets to halt biodiversity loss. The subsequent Aichi targets have driven impressive increases in protected areas globally.

The upcoming 2020 Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity in China will set the next decade’s targets. While there may be hesitation to adopt ambitious goals due to uncertainties about meeting current ones, the progress seen in regions like the Amazon, where more than half is now protected, offers hope.

Biodiversity is indispensable for sustaining life on Earth. Addressing the threats it faces requires a holistic approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social strategies. By learning from successful examples and committing to ambitious conservation targets, we can work towards preserving the rich tapestry of life that supports our planet.