Every May 22nd, the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity, a date proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000.
It coincides with the anniversary of the approval of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. The aim is to reclaim the importance of biodiversity and the need to preserve it.
Biodiversity Day: what and why it is essential
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, encompasses the variety of living beings on Earth, including animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form.
These elements are essential for providing food, water, clean air, medicines, and energy, as well as regulating the climate and offering recreational and cultural spaces.
The theme for this year, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” highlights the need to integrate biodiversity conservation with human activities. This approach aims to ensure that economic and social development does not compromise the health of our ecosystems.
Kunming-Montreal Global Framework: a global commitment
In December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework (MMKB) was adopted, an international agreement that establishes 23 goals for 2030 and 4 objectives for 2050, with the aim of halting and reversing the loss of nature.
Among its objectives are the restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems and a 50% reduction in food waste.
Argentina is one of the countries with the greatest biogeographical diversity in the world, hosting 18 ecoregions represented in its national parks. Iguazú National Park, in Misiones, is recognized for its rich biodiversity, home to species such as the jaguar and the toucan.
Dramatic: biodiversity loss has reached 73% in the last 50 years
The loss of biodiversity in the world is an increasingly pressing issue. This is evidenced by the most recent, alarming statistics. Over the last 50 years, the average size of populations has declined by 73%.
This is a figure that can be considered catastrophic. It was revealed in the Living Planet Report 2024, by WWF, and reflects a “system in danger.” The numbers reflect what happened between 1970 and 2020.
The report warns that a huge collective effort will be necessary over the next five years, as the planet approaches dangerous tipping points.
The loss of biodiversity is a clear consequence of the dual climate and nature crisis that humanity is facing.
