[ PEOPLE NEED BIODIVERSITY ]
Biodiversity is the amazing variety
of life on Earth.
[ BIODIVERSITY = THE VARIETY OF LIVING SPECIES ON EARTH ]
It includes all organisms,
plants,
animals,
and us.
We are a part of this rich web of life.
Biodiversity is the source of our fuel,
medicines,
and shelter.
Every breath we take,
every drop we drink,
every bite we eat -
it all comes from nature.
[ WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM? ]
Biodiversity occurs in,
an ecosystem.
An ecosystem is a dynamic community of living organisms -
plants,
animals,
and microorganisms
interacting with each other
and with their physical environment
such as the air,
soil
and water.
[ EVERYTHING IN AN ECOSYSTEM IS CONNECTED ]
Take for example how small mammals and birds discard seeds and fruit
which fall to the ground and naturally decompose, providing nutrients to the soil
that help new trees grow.
[ RESILIENCE IN BIODIVERSITY ]
Biodiversity is essential
to the sustainability
of an ecosystem.
[ ECOSYSTEMS WITH HIGH BIODIVERSITY ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND RESILIENT ]
The more species in an ecosystem the more variety it holds.
An ecosystem with a high level of species diversity
is more resistant to environmental change
and to human impacts.
Tropical rainforests, home to around half of the biodiversity on Earth,
are more likely to withstand and recover from disasters such
as fires
and floods
than those with less species.
[ ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ]
[ ECOSYSTEM SERVICES ARE THE BENEFITS WE DERIVE FROM NATURE ]
Biodiversity provides a variety
of goods and services
upon which we all depend.
It helps to ensure a stable climate.
Biodiversity provides our
food,
fresh water,
raw materials
and recreation.
We call these ‘ecosystem services.’
Ecosystem services are fundamental to human wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods.
Business also relies
on a steady flow of ecosystem services -
Forests supply timber and wood fiber
Bees help to pollinate crops
Soil
and microorganisms
store and purify water
Forests and oceans absorb greenhouse gases that helps mitigate climate change and its impacts on business.
Biodiversity
also insures us against natural disasters.
Mangrove forests and other coastal ecosystems act as a barrier
to reduce loss and damage caused by
storm surges, floods and typhoons.
[ BIODIVERSITY BUILDS RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ]
Wherever we live - a city, town,
or village, we depend on nature.
Every person and every business
needs healthy and prosperous economies
which is underpinned by biodiversity.
[ BIODIVERSITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN WELL-BEING ]
The choices we make today -
as consumers,
companies, governments
and as a society - has an impact
on biodiversity.
Biodiversity is nature’s insurance for a healthy planet.
Join us to discover the value and wonders of biodiversity