As we celebrate Vulture Awareness Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the invaluable role vultures play as nature’s essential cleanup crew. Often misunderstood and underappreciated, vultures are crucial to maintaining the health of ecosystems by efficiently disposing of carrion and roadkill, preventing the spread of disease and contributing to a cleaner and safer environment for both wildlife and humans. Vultures face multiple man-made threats, including poisoning, power line collisions, and decreasing foraging ranges. Arkansas is home to two species of vultures – black vultures and turkey vultures.
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International Biodiversity Day – 22 May 2024
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity describes the wide range of life forms on Earth, spanning from genes to entire ecosystems. It encompasses the processes that maintain life, including evolution, ecology, and cultural practices. Biodiversity encompasses not only rare, threatened, or endangered species but all living beings, from well-known organisms like humans to lesser-known ones such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates.
Why is Biodiversity Important?
Biodiversity plays a vital role in multiple aspects of our lives. Its importance lies in the numerous benefits humans derive from it, including essential needs like food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Additionally, ecosystems offer critical services like pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and pest control. Moreover, biodiversity holds value beyond known benefits, potentially offering new medicines and other services yet to be discovered.
We are all #PartofThePlan.
IDB 2024 is expected to increase the visibility momentum in the lead-up to the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), to be held in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024.
Source: Text & Image: https://www.undp.org/biodiversity-day-2024
World Migratory Bird Day – 14 October 2023
Water is fundamental to sustaining life on our planet. Virtually all migratory birds rely on water and its associated habitats at some point during their life cycles. Lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands, and coastal waters are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting, and as places to rest and refuel during long seasonal migrations.
Unfortunately, these aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world, and so are the migratory birds that depend on them. The increasing human demand for water, as well as pollution and climate change, is having a direct impact on the quantity and quality of water resources and on the conservation status of many migratory bird species.
In 2023, the importance of water is the focus of World Migratory Bird Day, an annual global campaign that celebrates the migration of birds across countries and continents. Throughout the year, we will spread the message that “water sustains bird life” and provide actions for managing water resources and protecting healthy aquatic ecosystems.
When is WMBD? Bird Day is Everyday! World Migratory Bird Day is not just a day. It’s a year-long celebration! Birds migrate at different times in different regions, and this campaign is designed to reflect that. Although the traditional dates are the second Saturdays of May and October (May 13 and October 14 in 2023).
Source: Text & Image: https://www.birdday.org/
International Lynx Day – 11 June
June 11th is known as International Lynx Day. Lynx is the biggest wild cat in Europe. Each one of them displays a distinct coat pattern, and so it’s possible to differentiate a lynx from another! Nine thousand specimens are found across central European forests thanks to reintroduction programs that began in the 1970s.
Two species live in Europe, the Eurasian lynx and the Iberian lynx, whose original population became extinct in the past because of hunting and habitat loss. WWF Central and Eastern Europe promotes public awareness regarding large carnivores, wolves, brown bears and lynx, vital for the ecosystem.
Source: Text & Image: https://www.internationaldays.co/event/international-lynx-day
International Day for Biological Diversity – 22 May 2023
Introduction
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
Source: Text: https://www.cbd.int/idb/
As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few.
This involves respecting, protecting, and repairing our biological wealth.
Undoubtedly, this year is special in terms of biodiversity conservation. We now have a renewed sense of hope with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a historic agreement signed in December 2022 that sets goals and concrete measures to stop and reverse the loss of nature by 2050.
That is why the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (2023) is from agreement to action: build back biodiversity. The slogan promotes the idea that, now that we have an action plan agreed upon at a global level, we must implement all the measures that the agreement contemplates before 2030. Only in this way will we be able to obtain protected and sustainable biological diversity by 2050. That is the main message from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the key international instrument for sustainable development.
Source: Texte: https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day Images: Convention on Biological Diversity
World Bee Day – 20 May
We all depend on the survival of bees
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
Pollination is, however, a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.
The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries.
We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.
Source: Text & Image: https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day
International Day for Biological Diversity – 22 May 2022
May 22 is celebrated as International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The day also marks the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The United Nations General Assembly took this decision in December 2000. The day is celebrated every year with different themes to create awareness about the importance of biodiversity. This year’s theme is “We’re part of the solution”.
What is the International Day for Biological Diversity?
The International Day for Biological Diversity is an annual event that celebrates the importance of biodiversity. It is held on May 22nd each year.
The day was first established by the United Nations in 1993. The goal of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect it.
Biodiversity is essential for the survival of all life on Earth. It helps to provide food, water, and other resources that we need to live. Biodiversity also helps to regulate the Earth’s climate and provides a home for millions of species of plants and animals.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is a chance to learn about the importance of biodiversity and what we can do to protect it.
The Different Types of Biological Diversity
There are many different types of biological diversity. Some of the most important types are:
1. Genetic diversity. This is the diversity of genes within a species. It is important because it helps a species to adapt to changing conditions.
2. Species diversity. This is the diversity of different species in an ecosystem. It is important because it helps to maintain the balance of an ecosystem.
3. Ecosystem diversity. This is the diversity of different ecosystems on Earth. It is important because it helps to maintain the planet’s overall biodiversity.
4. Landscape diversity. This is the diversity of different landscapes on Earth. It is important because it helps to provide habitats for different species of plants and animals.
5. Human cultural diversity. This is the diversity of cultures within humanity. It is important because it helps us to understand and appreciate the variety of ways that people live around the world.
International Day for Biological Diversity 2022: Theme
Building a shared future for all life
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is pleased to announce the Biodiversity Day 2022 slogan: “Building a shared future for all life”.
The slogan was chosen to continue building momentum and support for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
Source: Text & Image: https://newsd.in/international-day-for-biological-diversity-2022
World Environment Day – 5 June 2021
« On World Environment Day, the message is simple: reject single-use plastic. Refuse what you can’t re-use. Together, we can chart a path to a cleaner, greener world. » — Secretary-General, António Guterres
Humans are both creatures and moulders of their environment, which gives them physical sustenance and affords them the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. In the long and tortuous evolution of the human race on this planet a stage has been reached when, through the rapid acceleration of science and technology, humans have acquired the power to transform their environment in countless ways and on an unprecedented scale.
The United Nations, aware that the protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue, which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world, designated 5 June as World Environment Day. The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment. Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in more than 143 countries.
“Beat Plastic Pollution”
Each World Environment Day is organized around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2018, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” is a call to action for all of us to come together to combat one of the great environmental challenges of our time. The theme invites us all to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife – and our own health. While plastic has many valuable uses, we have become over-reliant on single-use or disposable plastic – with severe environmental consequences.
Annually, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organises various events but this year, the day is being hosted by Pakistan. The UN General Assembly had established World Environment Day on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment.
The theme for year`s World Environment Day is ‘Ecosystem Restoration.’ This year will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.
Source: Text: UN Image: uniquenewsonline.com
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict – 6 November
On 5 November 2001, the UN General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (A/RES/56/4).
Though mankind has always counted its war casualties in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities and livelihoods, the environment has often remained the unpublicized victim of war. Water wells have been polluted, crops torched, forests cut down, soils poisoned, and animals killed to gain military advantage.
Furthermore, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that over the last 60 years, at least 40 percent of all internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources, whether high-value resources such as timber, diamonds, gold and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water. Conflicts involving natural resources have also been found to be twice as likely to relapse.
The United Nations attaches great importance to ensuring that action on the environment is part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies – because there can be no durable peace if the natural resources that sustain livelihoods and ecosystems are destroyed.
On 27 May 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted resolution UNEP/EA.2/Res.15, which recognized the role of healthy ecosystems and sustainably managed resources in reducing the risk of armed conflict, and reaffirmed its strong commitment to the full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals listed in General Assembly resolution 70/1, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Source: Text: UN Image: UN on Twitter 2nd image: vdio.com
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict – 6 November
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is annually 
held on November 6. It aims to educate people about the damaging effects of war and armed conflict on the environment.
The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict helps people understand more about war’s effects on the environment.The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict helps people understand more about war’s effects on the environment.
Background
War and armed conflict has many damaging effects on the natural environment. For example, crops are destroyed, water supplies are poisoned and forests are burnt. New technology that is used for war means that the destruction and damage of the environment is more serious and the long-term consequences can be worse.
On November 5, 2001, the UN General Assembly declared November 6 of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (resolution 56/4). The assembly considered that that any environmental damage in times of armed conflict impairs ecosystems and natural resources long after the period of conflict. This damage can often extend beyond the limits of national territories and today’s generation. The assembly also recalled the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which emphasized the necessity of working to protect the environment.
Source: Text: timeandate.com Image: Pinterest