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BIODIVERSITY DAY
MAY 22

Many people are helping to make the world a better place, but humanity as a whole is making it difficult for other living creatures that share our planet to survive. As humans clear the land to build, and pollute the land, air and water, wildlife habitats are being destroyed. Some scientists estimate that each year 140,000 species of plants and animals become extinct -- there are no more of those kinds of plants or animals left on the planet! Scientists estimate that if we keep doing what we're doing, 20% of all living species will be extinct in 30 years, and half of all living species will be extinct within the next century!

Some are concerned about the welfare of plants, animals, microorganisms and their ecosystems for the sake of these other living creatures -- humans are not the only ones with the right to live on the planet. But others point out that protecting other living creatures and their habitats also protects us -- we need a clean environment for our own health, and other living creatures are essential for our food and medicine and other important resources.

Recognizing the importance of protecting other living species, 150 nations signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. One definition of "biological diversity" or "biodiversity" is the totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region, and this document helps set up real and tangible goals for nations to achieve in order to protect living species and their habitats.

Biological Diversity Day (or BioDiversity Day), observed on May 22, is an opportunity to promote the conservation of biological diversity and to advocate for the sustainable and equitable use of the resources of the natural environment.

When I was very young, biology, the diversity of life, was one of my main interests. I know there's this image people have that I'm this spoiled, cocky punk of an actor. Honestly, that's not who I am. I really care that so many species have been wiped out, like genocide of entire races. I believe in the divine right of all species to survive on this planet. So I decided I want to be active as an environmentalist. I learned. I asked experts. I got active.

-- Leonardo DiCaprio

 

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for printable PDF Handout

DO ONE THING for a Better World

1. Find out more about biodiversity.

2. Hold an event to raise awareness and funds for biological diversity.

3. Support organizations that promote biodiversity.

Links

Convention on Biological Diversity
International Day for Biological Diversity

Biodiversity Project
American Museum of Natural History - Biodiversity
Center for Biodiversity & Conservation
One Planet
The Nature Conservancy
Teaching about BioDiversity
Redlist.org

 

BIODIVERSITY Quotes

Biodiversity Day
Handouts

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Biodiversity Day


Maude Barlow

Thomas Berry

Kenneth Boulding

Fritjof Capra

Herman Daly

Leonardo DiCaprio

Paul Ehrlich

Harrison Ford

Richard Gere

Thomas Jefferson

Frances Moore Lappé

Richard Leakey

Wangari Maathai

Paul McCartney

Stephanie Mills

Queen Noor of Jordan

Theodore Roosevelt

Chief Seattle

Vandana Shiva

Melaku Worede


HEROPIX for a Better World
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Maude Barlow


Kenneth Boulding

Leonardo DiCaprio


Harrison Ford


Richard Gere

Queen Noor


Vandana Shiva

 

Do One Thing Calendar

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* Win a scholarship - create a 30sec-1min YouTube video inviting others to DO ONE THING ...

Kids | Youth | Adults | Calendar | Quotes | Heroes | Stories | The EMILY Fund | Scholarships
DO ONE THING and BetterWorld Kids Clubs are projects of The EMILY Fund (The Emily Silverstein Fund, Inc.)
Hero portraits are included for illustration purposes only - no celebrity endorsement implied

The Emily Fund
Education, Mentorship, Inspiration, Leadership, Youth
- for a Better
World

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Roosevelt, NJ 08555-0430
info@EmilyFund.org