Celebrating International Biodiversity Day
Building a viable future through enhancing community and eco-system resilience
International Biodiversity Day is a crucial reminder of the need to passionately engage with Nature based initiatives and valuing cultural and spiritual diversities as these are knowledge base for sustainable conservation efforts. The theme of International Biodiversity Day in 2024 is “be part of the plan”. The African Biodiversity Network has been aligned with the plan in which we are contributing to the global effort on the biodiversity crisis, which threatens the survival of one million species and impacts human wellbeing globally (UNEP – UN Environment Programme).
While celebrating International Biodiversity Day, we should remember the importance of engaging in critical biodiversity conservation activities. One is increasing vegetation cover, which is essential to sustain our food production through conserving biodiversity, which is the source of wild crop relatives. Conservation initiatives on biodiversity conservation, including enhancing forest cover, have been supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through a program such as REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) in consideration of their role in climate change mitigation by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide and increasing the moisture content in the air.
The increasing threats to biodiversity, including Forest degradation, pollution of water bodies, and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems, paused numerous challenges, which resulted in problems for human health, habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions, which aggravate undesired change on climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that climate change will increase vector-borne diseases and air pollution-related illnesses. In this spirit, the African Biodiversity Network (ABN), in collaboration with partners, financial collaborators and stakeholders, have joined efforts to ensure the implementation of sustainable biodiversity conservation in Africa.
Over the last two decades, the ABN and its partners in all corners of Africa have engaged with different initiatives such as Community Ecological Governance, Community Seed Knowledge, Youth, Culture and Biodiversity to ensure the traditional and practical knowledge base on the management of seed diversities, forest, animal and plant species are protected including the rights of communities and the natural world are respected. These initiatives prioritize natural and human health by raising awareness, building capacity on the linkages between biodiversity and human wellbeing, and advocating for policies supporting sustainable bio-cultural diversity conservation.
The partnership between ABN and our esteemed partners exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving positive change for the wellbeing of communities and the natural world. By prioritizing the conservation of biocultural diversity, strengthening community resilience, and upholding international agreements and resolutions, we are taking essential steps towards achieving significant impacts on bio-cultural diversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the Sustainable Development Goals. With your continued support, ABN aims to create a sustainable future that safeguards our natural, cultural and spiritual heritage and promotes the wellbeing of present and future generations, instilling hope for a better tomorrow.
On this International Biodiversity Day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our partners, including the African Biodiversity Network, who have tirelessly worked to protect biodiversity and preserve significant cultural and spiritual practices relevant to conservation. Your commitment to the health and vitality of the planet Earth through the various inspiring initiatives you have been engaged in is commendable. As we celebrate the progress made in protecting our biodiversity, we must also recognize the importance of continuing collaboration with different stakeholders, including governments, who play a crucial role in creating enabling policy environments. ABN believes that governments should prioritize efforts and fulfil their obligations to protect our biodiversity, and we are grateful for your support in this mission.
In conclusion, let us collectively renew our commitment to the health and vitality of Earth’s communities. Through our shared action and collaboration, we can build community and ecosystem resilience, protect our natural and cultural heritages, and forge a sustainable future for Africa and the world. Your role, as a valued member of the African Biodiversity Network, is crucial in this endeavor. Together, we can make a significant impact on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Article by Fassil Gebeyehu (PhD), ABN General Coordinator.
