International Day for Biological Diversity

International Day for Biological Diversity is a worldwide holiday dedicated to maintaining biological diversity on our planet. This is an important task that each of us should support. There are many ecosystems on Earth that function through the presence of certain species. Mankind cannot allow even some of them to disappear; we have already lost a lot due to technological progress and the ecological degradation that follows. The holiday is observed annually on May 22.

History

The history of the holiday begins with the initiative of the UN General Assembly. Initially, the holiday fell on December 29, but in 2000 the current date was chosen.

On May 22, 1992, at the UN Conference in Kenya, the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was approved. The document outlined the basic provisions necessary for preserving the biodiversity of species. A significant contribution to this effort comes from numerous environmental and conservation organizations, whose work has been critical in protecting existing species. Without their efforts, the situation with endangered species would be far worse, and the Red List would grow larger every year.

Interesting Facts

• Seahorses are unique animals—the males carry and give birth to the offspring.
• Biology as a science was born at the beginning of the 18th century.
• The generally accepted number of species on Earth is currently about 1.2 million.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about the Convention on Biological Diversity. Read interesting facts about the world of biology. Support conservation organizations financially; you can also help animal shelters.

Spread the word about the holiday on social media. Let more people know about it.

When is International Day for Biological Diversity in 2025?

International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on May 22 each year.

Observations