Environment and Society

At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the poor are derived
from biological resources. In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity
for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new challenges
as climate change.

What is Biodiversity?

 The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as

biodiversity.

 The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity
of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts,
rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth.

 Declining biodiversity is therefore a concern for many reasons.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

 Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all
have an important role to play.

For example,

 A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops

 Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms

 Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

The Importance of biodiversity

Biodiversity is all about the variety of life. It has to do with animal life, plant life, bacteria and
etc. It deals on where we find these organisms, what kind of habitats they flourish in. We really
rely on biodiversity for maintaining healthy, robust and high functioning ecosystems. As
humans, we would be in great peril if we continue to lose biodiversity at the rate which it is
occurring currently. And that is because of us, the things that we are doing to the land, water,
that are causing the loss of these species which is a big problem for us. These species play
important roles in our ecosystem which occurs as pollinators, provider of food and shelter that
we live in, and sources of medicine.
The greatest threat to biodiversity are the destruction of natural ecosystem to make way for
crop lands and commercial use, exploitation of wild life, spread of non-native or invasive
species and climate change.

Healthy ecosystems can be a great solution to climate change such as forests and mangroves
which store a lot of carbon that helps mitigate the effects of climate change.

How do we find room for biodiversity? We need to have more parks and protected areas. We
need to develop more sustainable agricultural practices. Manage our fisheries so that we won’t
overharvest and tackle the issue of climate change.

A healthy biodiversity offers many natural services

Ecosystem services, such as Biological resources, such as Social benefits,

such as

 Protection of water  Food  Research, education

resources and monitoring
 Medicinal resources and
 Soils formation and pharmaceutical drugs  Recreation and tourism
protection
 Wood products  Cultural values
 Nutrient storage and
recycling  Ornamental plants

 Pollution breakdown  Breeding stocks,

population reservoirs
and absorption

 Contribution to climate  Future resources

stability  Diversity in genes,
 Maintenance of species and ecosystems
ecosystems

 Recovery from
unpredictable events
 COVID-19 and its link with Biodiversity, Illegal Wildlife Trafficking and Bioculturality

This year the motto of the International Day for Biological Diversity is "Our solutions are
in nature" to emphasize hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all
levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. The current trend of the COVID-19
pandemic has highlighted the extreme importance of combating the loss of biodiversity.
Within this framework, the UNESCO and UNEP Offices in Mexico will organize the
Virtual Dialogue "COVID-19 and its link with biodiversity, illegal wildlife trafficking and
bioculturality".
The Convention on Biological Diversity is the international instrument for "the
conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair
and equitable participation in the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources",
which has been ratified by 196 countries.
Given the importance of public education and awareness for the application of the
Convention at all levels, the General Assembly proclaimed May 22, the date of approval
of the text, International Day for Biological Diversity in 2000.
The appearance of COVID-19 has shown that when we destroy biodiversity we destroy
the system that supports human life. The more bio diverse an ecosystem is, the more
difficult it is for a pathogen to spread rapidly or dominate. Loss of biodiversity provides
an opportunity for pathogens to pass between animals and people.
We must learn and adapt faster than ever, and the COVID 19 virus has lessons that
apply to global crises of biodiversity loss. For this reason, our best vaccine for the future
is to protect nature and biodiversity. It is no longer just a matter of ecology but of being
aware that if we want to reduce the occurrence of pandemics we must have a healthy
nature.
Loss of biodiversity also means that we are losing, before discovery, many of nature's
chemicals and genes, of the kind that have already provided humanity with tremendous
health benefits. Traditional medicine continues to play an essential role in health care,
especially in primary health care.
In this framework, the UNESCO and UNEP Offices in Mexico will organize the Virtual
Dialogue “COVID-19 and its link with biodiversity, illegal wildlife trafficking and
bioculturality” on May 22 at 12 noon and with the participation also from UNODC and
CONANP.