Biodiversity also offers countless services, both locally and globally. Fish provide 20% of the protein intake for about three billion people. More than 80% of human food is provided by plants. Almost 80% of people in rural areas of developing countries use traditional herbal medicines for basic health care.
About 60% of all infectious diseases in humans are zoonoses, that is, they reach us through animals. Recent zoonoses that have appeared or recurred include Ebola virus, avian influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), West Nile virus, Zika viral disease, and now the coronavirus.
Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It is the basis of present and future human well-being, and its rapid decline threatens both nature and people. According to global biodiversity assessment report published in 2019 by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Scientific and Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization. The global report demonstrated the responsibility of human activities in the loss of biodiversity, which amounts to 75% for terrestrial ecosystems. This assessment also indicated that solutions exist and that it is not too late to act.
To halt or reverse this decline, it is essential to transform the roles, actions and relationships of people with biodiversity. Many solutions exist: UNESCO’s various networks, programs and partners have observed positive and inspiring seeds of change around the world. UNESCO also supports Member States and their populations in their efforts to halt biodiversity loss by understanding, appreciating, safeguarding and using biodiversity in a sustainable manner.
Now is the time to act for biodiversity! The United Nations proclaimed on May 22 International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD) (link is external) in order to increase understanding and knowledge of issues related to biodiversity.
This international day is part of the year 2021 defined as a super year for biodiversity, with major events planned (and for the most part postponed to a later date) such as the World Conservation Congress of the IUCN, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the United Nations Forum on Biodiversity.
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