International Year of Biodiversity

The subtopics for the International Year of Biodiversity are:

  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • Biodiversity and climate change
  • Biodiversity and food security
  • Biodiversity and health
  • Biodiversity and sustainable development
  • Biodiversity and poverty alleviation
  • Biodiversity and education
  • Biodiversity and culture
  • Biodiversity and law
  • Biodiversity and policy
  • Biodiversity and governance
  • Biodiversity and research
  • Biodiversity and technology
  • Biodiversity and communication
  • Biodiversity and partnerships
  • Biodiversity and finance
  • Biodiversity and monitoring
  • Biodiversity and evaluation
  • Biodiversity and capacity building
  • Biodiversity and outreach
  • Biodiversity and awareness raising
  • Biodiversity and advocacy
  • Biodiversity and action
    Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes the variety of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the variety of ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Biodiversity is essential for human health and well-being. It provides us with food, water, medicine, and other resources. It also helps to regulate the climate and protect us from natural disasters.

Biodiversity is under threat from human activities, such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. These threats are causing the extinction of species at an alarming rate. We need to take action to protect biodiversity, for the sake of our own survival.

The International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) is a global initiative to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to promote action to protect it. The IYB will be celebrated in 2020, the 25th anniversary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The theme of the IYB is “Our Biodiversity, Our Future.” The IYB will focus on the following key messages:

  • Biodiversity is essential for human health and well-being.
  • Biodiversity is under threat from human activities.
  • We need to take action to protect biodiversity.
  • Everyone can play a role in protecting biodiversity.

The IYB will provide a platform for governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to come together and take action to protect biodiversity. The IYB will also be an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of life on Earth and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.

There are many ways to get involved in the IYB. You can learn more about biodiversity, take action to protect it, and share your stories about biodiversity with others. You can also join the IYB global network and connect with other people who are passionate about biodiversity.

The IYB is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to promote action to protect it. Let’s make the most of this opportunity and ensure that biodiversity is protected for future generations.

Here are some specific actions you can take to protect biodiversity:

  • Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy products. These products require a lot of land and water to produce, which can lead to habitat loss and deforestation.
  • Eat more locally-grown food. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of food production.
  • Recycle and compost. This will help to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, where it can release methane, a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide.
  • Support sustainable businesses. Look for businesses that are committed to protecting the environment and using sustainable practices.
  • Get involved in your community. There are many ways to get involved in protecting biodiversity in your community. You can volunteer for a local conservation organization, start a community garden, or even just talk to your neighbors about the importance of biodiversity.

Every little bit helps. By taking small steps, we can make a big difference for biodiversity.
Biodiversity and ecosystem services

  • What are ecosystem services?
    Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans obtain from nature. They include things like clean air and water, food, medicine, and recreation.
  • Why are ecosystem services important?
    Ecosystem services are essential for human well-being. They provide us with the resources we need to survive and thrive.
  • How is biodiversity related to ecosystem services?
    Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes the different species of plants and animals, as well as the genetic diversity within each species. Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem services because it provides the variety of organisms that are needed to maintain healthy ecosystems.
  • What are some examples of how biodiversity is related to ecosystem services?
    One example is pollination. Many plants rely on animals to pollinate their flowers, so without pollinators, these plants would not be able to reproduce. This would have a ripple effect on the entire ecosystem, as many other species rely on these plants for food or shelter.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity. We can reduce our impact on the environment, such as by conserving energy and water. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity.

Biodiversity and climate change

  • What is climate change?
    Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate. It is caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.
  • How is biodiversity related to climate change?
    Biodiversity is essential for mitigating climate change. Forests, for example, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are destroyed, this carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity from climate change?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity from climate change. We can reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, such as by using renewable energy sources. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity.

Biodiversity and food security

  • What is food security?
    Food security is the availability of sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all people at all times.
  • How is biodiversity related to food security?
    Biodiversity is essential for food security. It provides the variety of plants and animals that we need to produce food. It also helps to maintain healthy ecosystems, which are necessary for agriculture.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity and ensure food security?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity and ensure food security. We can reduce our impact on the environment, such as by conserving water and energy. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture.

Biodiversity and health

  • What is health?
    Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
  • How is biodiversity related to health?
    Biodiversity is essential for health. It provides the variety of plants and animals that we need for food, medicine, and other products. It also helps to maintain healthy ecosystems, which are necessary for human health.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity and improve health?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity and improve health. We can reduce our impact on the environment, such as by conserving water and energy. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Biodiversity and sustainable development

  • What is sustainable development?
    Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • How is biodiversity related to sustainable development?
    Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development. It provides the variety of plants and animals that we need for food, medicine, and other products. It also helps to maintain healthy ecosystems, which are necessary for human well-being.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development. We can reduce our impact on the environment, such as by conserving water and energy. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development.

Biodiversity and poverty alleviation

  • What is poverty?
    Poverty is a state of deprivation or lack of resources.
  • How is biodiversity related to poverty?
    Biodiversity is essential for poverty alleviation. It provides the variety of plants and animals that we need for food, medicine, and other products. It also helps to maintain healthy ecosystems, which are necessary for economic development.
  • What can we do to protect biodiversity and alleviate poverty?
    There are many things we can do to protect biodiversity and alleviate poverty. We can reduce our impact on the environment, such as by conserving water and energy. We can also support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development
  • Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes all living things, from plants and animals to bacteria and fungi.
  • Biodiversity is important for many reasons. It provides us with food, water, medicine, and other resources. It also helps to regulate the climate and protect us from natural disasters.
  • Biodiversity is under threat from human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change. We need to take action to protect biodiversity, or we will face serious consequences.
  • You can help to protect biodiversity by making small changes in your everyday life. For example, you can recycle, reduce your energy consumption, and eat less meat.

Here are some multiple choice questions about biodiversity:

  1. Which of the following is not a benefit of biodiversity?
    (A) Food
    (B) Water
    (C) Medicine
    (D) Pollution

  2. Which of the following is a threat to biodiversity?
    (A) Deforestation
    (B) Pollution
    (C) Climate change
    (D) All of the above

  3. What can you do to help protect biodiversity?
    (A) Recycle
    (B) Reduce your energy consumption
    (C) Eat less meat
    (D) All of the above

  4. Which of the following is the most important thing we can do to protect biodiversity?
    (A) Educate others about the importance of biodiversity
    (B) Support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity
    (C) Get involved in local conservation efforts
    (D) All of the above

  5. What is the International Year of Biodiversity?
    (A) A year dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity
    (B) A year to celebrate the diversity of life on Earth
    (C) A year to take action to protect biodiversity
    (D) All of the above

  6. What are some of the subtopics for the International Year of Biodiversity?
    (A) Biodiversity and ecosystem services
    (B) Biodiversity and climate change
    (C) Biodiversity and food security
    (D) All of the above

  7. What is one way that biodiversity can help to regulate the climate?
    (A) By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
    (B) By providing habitats for plants and animals that help to regulate the climate
    (C) By helping to prevent soil erosion, which can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
    (D) All of the above

  8. What is one way that biodiversity can help to protect us from natural disasters?
    (A) By providing natural barriers to protect us from storms and floods
    (B) By providing habitats for plants and animals that can help to reduce the impact of natural disasters
    (C) By helping to prevent soil erosion, which can make us more vulnerable to natural disasters
    (D) All of the above

  9. What are some of the things that we can do to protect biodiversity?
    (A) Reduce our consumption of resources
    (B) Recycle and compost
    (C) Support organizations that are working to protect biodiversity
    (D) All of the above

  10. What is one way that we can educate others about the importance of biodiversity?
    (A) Talk to our friends and family about the importance of biodiversity
    (B) Write letters to our elected officials about the importance of biodiversity
    (C) Support organizations that are working to educate others about the importance of biodiversity
    (D) All of the above