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
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GEF at CBD COP15
Throughout the CBD COP 15, the GEF hosted nearly 30 sessions to bring together both governments and non-state actors. Discussions ranged from the launch of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative, support for rangers in protecting wildlife, acknowledgement of the role of blended finance and the role of the private sector.
The Satoyama Initiative: A Decade of Working for Societies in Harmony with Nature
This side event presented the results of 12 years of the Satoyama Initiative—a global effort to realize “societies in harmony with nature” through landscape approaches first proposed at CBD COP 10.
Digital Sequence Information (DSI) Is Changing the Way Genetic Resources Are Used in Agricultural Research and Development: Implications for New Benefit-Sharing Norms
This event considered how agricultural research organizations are increasingly using DSI to improve their work to conserve crop and livestock genetic diversity and to use genetic diversity in their plant and animal breeding programmes
United Nations Biodiversity Conference - OEWG 5/CBD COP 15/CP-MOP 10/NP-MOP 4
At the conclusion of an often fractious two-week meeting and after four years of negotiation, parties adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a historic package of measures that addresses the dangerous loss of biodiversity and the need to restore natural ecosystems and will guide biodiversity policy through 2030.
63rd Meeting of the GEF Council
The GEF Council endorsed $65 million for biodiversity projects, including more than $18 million to support the development of biodiversity finance plans in 26 countries. GEF Council members, meeting virtually, also approved the establishment of a new Gustavo Fonseca Youth Conservation Leadership program to support the education of promising young conservationists from developing countries.
19th Meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (CITES CoP19)
Delegates adopted 46 proposals to increase or decrease controls on international trade in wildlife and wildlife products, bringing many species of sharks, lizards, turtles, fish, birds, frogs, and plants under the Convention’s control to ensure the sustainability of these species in the wild while allowing their international trade.
The Land Gap Report
Great hope has been placed in achieving significant carbon reduction through natural carbon sinks, but this approach requires land. A new report, presented at a side event, looks into the gaps between the official climate plans of governments and the lack of land to meet pledges and commitments.
Ocean Futures Lab
UN climate and biodiversity processes happen too often in siloes, each attracting a different set of experts and thus creating separate conversations. In an event on Ocean-based climate solutions, panelists called for much greater cooperation between biodiversity and climate international frameworks.
GEO Week 2022
Convening under the theme, “Global Action for Local Impact,” GEO Week 2022 brought together practitioners to discuss the potential for earth observation to assist in addressing global challenges. The week was heavily focused on the future direction of GEO, with participants engaging in sessions related to the road to GEO post-2025.
3rd Meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies
Breakout sessions challenged attendees to consider where regional coordination and cooperation intersects with effective area-based conservation measures, marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and addressing marine litter.