International Biodiversity Day 2019
May 22 is observed as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The IDB promotes the notion that the diversity provided by the natural systems for human existence and wellbeing on earth, while contributing to other Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change mitigation and adaptation and ecosystems restoration.
Theme of IDB 2019
The theme of the IDB 2019 is ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’. The theme sheds light on the UN report which states that
- During the last century more than 90 per cent of the crop varieties and half of the breeds of domestic animals being wiped out.
- In the 17 main fishing grounds fishing is undertaken at or above their sustainable limits.
- Local food production systems are under threat.
- Together with the basic knowledge about traditional medicine, local foods and agrobiodiversity are being pushed to the periphery.
Genesis of the IDB
When the IDB was first constituted in 1993 it was observed on 29 December, the day in which the Convention of Biological Diversity came into force. The UN general assembly adopted 22 May as IDB in December 2008 to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention at the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 22 May 1992.
