The celebration each year of the International Day for Biological Diversity is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard this precious heritage for future generations. The 2005 theme is: Life Insurance for our Changing World.

Introduction

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22, the International Day for Biological Diversity, to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological services that constitute the source of life for all. The celebration each year of the International Day for Biological Diversity is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard this precious heritage for future generations.

As announced by Hamdallah Zedan, the Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2005 is:

Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World.

The world is changing faster than ever before. Growing human populations and expanding consumption are placing great pressure on biological Diversity. This year’s theme for IBD reminds us that, in addition to providing the physical conditions for all life, biodiversity also plays an important role in protecting life and making it resilient to the pressures brought about by change.

An additional focus for 2005 – the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

The theme is also especially relevant for this year in the context of the launch of the biodiversity synthesis report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. This five-year programme, initiated by the Secretary-General, studied the relationship between ecosystems and human well-being. The reports findings underline the importance of biological diversity in providing concrete services upon which human life depends, including all important security and provisioning functions. In 2005 the celebrations sponsored by the Secretariat for the International Day for Biological Diversity will coincide with the launch of the Biodiversity Synthesis Report.

As part of the activities marking this important occasion, on May 19, 2005 in Montreal, Canada, the Secretariat will hold a press conference followed by a reception and will co-sponsor, with McGill University, a seminar aiming at providing an in-depth discussion of the report and its relationship to science, and policy. The participation of some of the authors of the report is expected.

The Secretariat would like to encourage Parties to hold celebrations to commemorate IBD Day and as part of these activities, to sponsor your own launches of the Millennium Assessment report.

To facilitate the organization of activities, the Secretariat has created this outreach kit, which contains key messages and suggested activities that can help celebrate the day, while also drawing attention to the findings of the synthesis report. 

Goals and target audiences for your IBD Day celebrations.

As with all past IBD day celebrations, the main goal is to raise the awareness of the general public of the three objectives of the CBD – the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from its use.

In addition to raising awareness, the Secretariat wishes to encourage Parties to work with actors throughout society to action on the objectives and programmes of work of the Convention. To these goals we encourage Parties to add the focus of promoting the Millennium Assessment Biodiversity Synthesis report as a source of information that reinforces the need to realize the three objectives of the CBD.

Parties should continue to try to reach out to the general public in their IBD celebrations, but they should try to promote discussion and attention on the key messages of the report, and encourage a dialogue between the public and decision makers in different sectors, and at different levels. So, for example, an IBD event should bring together businesses that use biodiversity with the local government officials that provide regulation. Or it could bring together the public officials that manage protected areas with the businesses that work on the margins of these areas.

Key messages and how they relate to Biodiversity Day

IBD 2005’s theme asks people to look at Biodiversity beyond its value for short-term consumption, extraction and direct use. The message for the year is simple: Biodiversity is the life insurance of life itself.

More specifically, diversity within species helps a given species survive rapid changes in the surrounding ecosystem. Diversity between species increases the resilience of ecosystems, by enhancing functions and providing multiple sources for ecosystem services. Greater resilience in ecosystems make sustainable development possible and protect all life from the potential consequences of non-linear change, including sudden changes to ecosystems, such as that brought on by disasters.

This message has been part of the work of the Convention for years and was reiterated at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, and should be a fundamental understanding of any approach to the long-term conservation and use of biodiversity.

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s biodiversity synthesis report has an important bearing on this year’s theme for IBD – “Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World”. Among other aspects, the report highlights the role of ecosystem services in sustaining life and providing protection for the vulnerable. It also draws the link between the risks of rapid non-linear change and the increased demands that people are placing on ecosystems around the world. Ecosystem services provide human beings with options, which is of particular importance to the poor and the vulnerable.

The report contains six key findings which can be rewritten to suit the different target audiences you may be trying to reach. We recommend that these main findings be stressed in all communications materials related to the International Biodiversity Day. Below we present the findings from the report, rewritten for a general audience.

What is the problem? (finding 1) In the last 50 years, Human actions have changed the diversity of life on the planet more than at any other time in history. Our activities have lifted many people out of poverty, but at the price of a loss of biodiversity. If we continue down this road, we will reduce biological diversity, with life-threatening consequences.

Why is biodiversity loss a concern? (findings 2 and 3) Biodiversity is the foundation for human well-being. Not only does it provide the materials we need for food, clothing and shelter, but also gives us security, health and freedom of choices. The current pace and rhythm of our activities are harming ecosystems, consuming biological resources and putting at risk the well-being of future generations.

What are the causes of biodiversity loss and how they are changing? (finding 4) Human activities are leading to the loss of the variety of life. Population increase and economic activity, fuelled by technological change and our patterns of political and cultural life are placing undue pressure on ecosystems. Our actions are changing habitats, the climate, overexploiting resources, creating pollution and promoting the spread of invasive alien species. If current patterns continue, the loss of biodiversity will accelerate, not diminish.

What actions can be taken? (finding 5) We know that in the past, actions and programmes that promoted conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity limited biodiversity loss. This is promising, but we are not doing enough. To further reduce and to stop the loss of biodiversity will require a whole host of new and stronger actions. Sustainable human development remains the primary goal and we need to strengthen the range and power of our ability to respond to biodiversity loss.

The 2010 target and its implications (finding 6) The size of the task ahead of us is so great that the 2010 biodiversity target will only realistically be achieved in certain areas and regions if we engage in substantial efforts. This sobering conclusion is not hopeless. Humankind can choose to act now for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity if it changes the way it is causing change, carefully chooses the ways it responds to change and makes the right tradeoffs. 

Suggested activities for IBD 2005

There are many ways that the International Day for Biological Diversity can be celebrated. To assist Parties the Secretariat has prepared a short list of suggested events for celebrating the IBD. The activities may be carried out singly or in combination. In any event, ensure that the activities you seek to carry out are within your reach.

Parties are also invited to submit their ideas and suggestions for models to be included. Please note that while some of these activities require a national approach, many can and should be carried out by local communities and NGOs with encouragement and assistance from the National Focal Point.

Organize a seminar and launch event on the Synthesis Report with the participation of some of the experts involved in its review. The format for this can follow that which the Secretariat is planning: Begin with a press conference in the morning, followed by a reception and an afternoon scientific seminar. The event features comments and speeches by representatives from the relevant ministries, by participants in the MA process, and by other relevant stakeholders. The MA reports drew upon the support of a broad group of scientists from around the world for their writing and review. In many cases, Parties will find that authors from their country were involved. A list of involved experts, sorted by countries is available for your review at http://www.millenniumassessment.org. The involvement of the artistic community adds an interesting dimension and a different viewpoint to the event. Should you be interested in organizing such an event, you may contact the secretariat to assist in providing resources for such an event including:

• copies of the report
• a statement by the Executive Secretary for use at your event
• liaison with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Secretariat regarding contact with authors who live in your region.

Example: The Secretariat is organizing a launch event for the MA Ecosystem Assessment report that includes a press conference, a reception and afternoon seminars. The event will include the participation of the co-chair for the synthesis report, a member of the MA Board, executive Secretary Hamdallah Zedan, and representatives of McGill University.

Prepare articles to be published in national or local newspapers focusing on this year’s IBD theme and its relationship with the Synthesis Report. Promote special issues or supplements on Biodiversity in the local media. This may be easier to organize if associated with an announcement of a new programme or policy.
Example: as part of the 2004 IBD celebrations in Oman, articles on the International Biodiversity Day were published in local newspapers (http://www.biodiv.org).

Promote the participation of government officials and leading scientists in radio talk shows with the objective of targeting a broader audience and raising public awareness about the CBD and its objectives.
Example: the Ghana’s co-ordinator for the celebration of International Biological Diversity Day arranged for the participation of members of the National Biodiversity Committee in radio talk shows in order to brief the public (http://www.biodiv.org).

Designate Biodiversity and the theme of “Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World” for adoption in natural history and science museums for the period surrounding May 22. Organize exhibits, lectures and presentations emphasizing the importance of Biodiversity to the surrounding region and accompanied by presentations and documents. If there is a national announcement on a Biodiversity or CBD-related topic, consider making the announcement in conjunction with an event at a science museum, exhibition or fair. Offer free access for the day, or special admission fees, to teachers, students and community groups.
Example: one of the activities chosen by Iran to commemorate the 2004 International Biodiversity Day was the opening of a museum dedicated to the theme of biological diversity (“Biodiversity Museum of Iran”). Also, admission to national history museums on International Biodiversity Day was free of charge (http://www.biodiv.org).

Offer free access for the day, or special admission fees, to national parks and other protected areas. Provide guided walks, animal spotting and/or bird watching activities.
Example: the 2004 International Biodiversity Day celebrations in Scotland were marked by events and activities ranging from Nature Reserve open days and guided walks, scrub clearance and moth walks, exhibitions and talks, making bird boxes and animal tracking (http://www.biodiv.org).

Designate the IBD theme at agricultural and plant conservation centres and botanic gardens, accompanied by special exhibits or special events.

In cooperation with local or national media, organize contests in one or more categories, such as essay, photography, art, website and poster design, dance or drama. Co-operative ventures with media may also include on-line discussions or workshops for schools, community groups and/or the public to illustrate the IBD theme.
Example: as part of the 2004 International Biological Diversity Day, Iran organized the first national Digital Photography Festival of Nature (http://www.biodiv.org).

Organize biodiversity awareness presentations to schools and colleges by subject matter experts on the importance of Biodiversity, explaining the effects that biodiversity loss has on everyday life, and what individuals can do to help preserve the variety of life on earth. Present International Biodiversity Day posters to the classrooms, information material and/or a list of Biodiversity-related educational Website links. Advantage: raise awareness of biodiversity topics at low cost.
Example: in 2003 and 2004 the Secretariat implemented a school outreach campaign as part of the activities marking the International Biodiversity Day. The aim of this pilot programme was to make the Secretariat and the work of the CBD known to students and teachers by sending staff of the Secretariat to different schools in the Montreal area to talk about the work of the CBD, and more specifically to convey the message of the importance of preserving life on earth.

Create a special Website or special pages on International Biological Diversity Day and include recommended activities for individuals and groups based on the 2005 IBD theme and the key messages from the Synthesis Report.

Introduce a programme of consultation on Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), incorporating the 2005 IBD theme and the key messages from the Synthesis Report with a view to stimulating effective local action for priorities identified in the national Biodiversity Action Plan, as well as for species and habitats which are particularly cherished or valued in local areas.