Gaea's

I don’t know how I missed this, but I did. I only found out today that 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.

According to the official IYB website , the United Nations (UN)  has declared that this year, 2010, is the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).” It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity”.

I have done a little research on the topic starting with the initiative’s objectives:

The Objectives of IYB are:

• Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
• Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
• Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or indirect biodiversity conservation activities
• Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other stakeholders
• Reporting on the possible failures for not achieving the Target
• Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)

“Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend. Protecting biodiversity is in our self-interest. Biological resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations. Nature’s products support such diverse industries as agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, horticulture, construction and waste treatment. The loss of biodiversity threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood, medicines and energy. It also interferes with essential ecological functions.”

The goal of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 is the subject of several key international agreements. The agreements recognise the rapid degradation of ecosystems and habitats, the increasing threat to many species populations and the urgent need to take action that will halt the decline in irreplaceable natural resources. While at global level, the Target is “to achieve a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss”, the one addressed at EU and Pan-European level is even more ambitious as to “halt the loss of biodiversity”. Since 2007, the 2010 Biodiversity Target is fully integrated into the Millennium Development Goals. More on the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

“The Convention – which opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, entered into force at the end of 1993 and now has 193 Parties – is based on the premise that the world’s diverse ecosystems purify the air and the water that are the basis of life, stabilize and moderate the Earth’s climate, renew soil fertility, cycle nutrients and pollinate plants.

Although initial celebrations began in November under the slogan “Biodiversity is life, biodiversity is our life,” the official launch will take place in Berlin on 11 January. This will be followed on 21 and 22 January by the first major event of the Year, a high-profile meeting at the Paris headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is expected to bring together heads of state, royalty and their representatives.”  People and Planet.net 

The Countdown 2010 Newsletter appears bi-monthly to inform and engage partners and other interested organizations on action around the 2010 biodiversity target. I have subscribed to the newsletter as I hope to blog some more on IYB during the year.

I hope the above provides you with some insight into the International Year of Biodiversity. I touched on the concept of a Whole World in a previous blog, I see so many efforts around us to bring our world back into balance – my family and I are trying to do what we can to assist with bringing balance back, it all begins with you and it begins at home.

Related posts:

1. Happy New Year
2. Five of Cups
3. January 2010
4. British Summer Time begins TODAY – 28 March 2010
5. February 2010
6. The Metaphysical Elements
7. The Elements – Earth, Air, Water, Fire

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