Biodiversity
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is most often associated with the earth’s vast variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms, but the term encompasses diversity at all levels—from genes to species to ecosystems to landscapes. Scientists estimate there are approximately 8.7 million species globally, of which approximately 2.2 million are marine. In spite of 250 years of research and over 1.2 million species already identified, it is possible 86% of existing species on Earth and 91% of species in the ocean still await description.
In each ecosystem, including those that occur within or among forests, wetlands, mountains, deserts, and rivers, living creatures interact with each other as well as with the air, water, and soil around them, forming an interconnected community. The ecosystem services provided by biodiversity are estimated to be worth trillions of dollars—double the world’s GDP. Biodiversity also includes genetic differences within species, such as different breeds and varieties, as well as chromosomes, genes, and genetic sequences (DNA). Biodiversity also has human benefits. For example, many new medicines are harvested from nature, such as the rosy periwinkle, which provides two very important cancer-fighting medicines.
Events and Articles
Showing 51 - 60 of 398 results
The Knowledge Management for Biodiversity Initiative
The overall objective of the Knowledge Management for Biodiversity Initiative is to support effective implementation of the global biodiversity framework by fostering effective knowledge management to enable biodiversity planning, policy formulation, decision making and implementation processes.
ASEAN Strides Toward the Achievement of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework
Under the umbrella of the COP 15 theme "Ecological Civilization-Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth," the side event engaged key policymakers from ASEAN Members States to highlight progress in achieving biodiversity goals in the ASEAN region, including challenges and innovative solutions to contribute to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Enhancing Biodiversity Co-Benefits
Speakers examined how to generate measurable, scalable biodiversity co-benefits from nature-based climate solutions—projects that conserve, restore, and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems while inclusively helping people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
Exploring Options for Financing and Investing in the Gender-Biodiversity Nexus
Panelists examined the current gender-biodiversity financing gap that needs to be addressed for gender-responsive implementation of the new GBF; and explored options that can help to address the gender-biodiversity financing gap to deliver on biodiversity, climate, and gender commitments.
Invest in Success: Innovative Finance for 30X30
Speakers discussed options for increasing investment through innovative financial mechanisms to achieve the post-2020 global biodiversity framework’s Target 3, on protecting 30% of the world's terrestrial and marine habitats by 2030
Biodiversity and the Urgent Need for Food System Reform
This side event considered alternative food production systems that can produce more than enough to feed the world while working in alignment with landscapes and habitats to produce healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.
Addressing the ABS Challenges of the GBF: On What Can We Build?
This side event reflected upon the implementation of the third objective of the CBD and related capacity development challenges under the forthcoming GBF. Speakers elaborated on what, in relation to ABS-related capacity development, should be done better under the future GBF.
Nature-Positive Infrastructure: Connecting Communities – Safeguarding the Planet
Panelists explored how to generate a nature-positive transition through practical strategies for mainstreaming biodiversity safeguards in infrastructure development.
IPBES Sustainable Use and Values Assessments: Implications for the New Global Biodiversity Framework
Authors officially launched “Sustainable Use of Wild Species” and the “Diverse Values and Valuation of Nature” Assessment Reports, presenting their key findings and implications for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions: An ILO-IUCN-UNEP Report Launch
This event launched the first edition of the report series on “Decent work in Nature-based Solutions,” which develops a framework for assessing employment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS), including the first empirical evaluation of current and potential future global employment in NbS.