Each year on May 22nd, the world comes together to celebrate World Biodiversity Day-a moment
to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the natural world that makes life on
Earth not only possible but profoundly beautiful. It’s more than a date on the calendar;
it’s a reminder that we are part of a vast, intricate web of life, and our
survival is tightly woven into its threads.
What Is Biodiversity and Why Does It
Matter?
Biodiversity refers to the incredible variety of life on Earth; from
the tiniest microbes in the soil to the towering trees of ancient forests, from
coral reefs bustling with marine life to the songbirds in our backyards. It
encompasses ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity, each playing a vital
role in maintaining the health of the planet.
Why should we care? Because biodiversity is not just about
saving wildlife, it’s about saving ourselves. Healthy ecosystems purify our
water, pollinate our crops, regulate our climate, prevent disease outbreaks,
and offer spiritual, cultural, and recreational value. Every breath we take and
every bite we eat is a gift of biodiversity.
Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build
civilizations. Fish provide 20 per
cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human
diet is provided by plants. As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural
areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant based medicines for
basic healthcare.
But loss of biodiversity
threatens all, including our health. It has been proven that biodiversity
loss could expand zoonoses - diseases transmitted from animals
to humans- while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact,
it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by
coronaviruses.
When biodiversity has a problem,
humanity has a problem
Biological diversity is often
understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms,
but it also includes genetic differences within each species—for example,
between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock—and the variety of
ecosystems (lakes, forests, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple
kinds of interactions among their members (humans, plants, animals).
While
there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of
tremendous value to future generations, the number of species is being
significantly reduced by certain human activities. Given the importance of
public education and awareness about this issue.
Hope in Action: What Can We Do?
While the challenges are immense, so are the possibilities for
positive change. Each of us can contribute, no matter how small our actions may
seem:
Ø Plant native species
in your garden to support local pollinators.
Ø Reduce plastic use to
protect marine life.
Ø Support sustainable
brands and businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility.
Ø Advocate for
nature-positive policies in your community and country.
Ø Educate and inspire
others, because awareness is the first step toward transformation.
And perhaps most importantly, spend time in nature. When we
connect with the natural world;when we walk through a forest, swim in the sea,
or listen to birdsong—we remember what’s at stake. We remember that
biodiversity is not an abstract concept; it is life itself.
A Shared Responsibility
Protecting biodiversity is not the job of environmentalists
alone. It’s not just up to scientists, policymakers, or conservationists. It’s
a shared responsibility, a collective promise to future generations that we
will leave behind a world that is rich, wild, and alive.
On this World Biodiversity Day, let’s honor the miracle of life
in all its forms. Let’s celebrate the bees that pollinate our food, the trees
that clean our air, and the unseen organisms beneath our feet that make soil
fertile.
Let’s be part of the plan—not just today, but every day. Because when we protect biodiversity, we protect the
future.
Author ; Sanjina
Husain
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