Our world is created with a diversity of eco-systems that are interconnected and rely upon each other to thrive and grow. There is balance required to achieve harmony and ensure sustainability. But we know that we don’t live in a world of balance and harmony. We are excessive and wanting – we have exploited land, we have hunted animals on the brink of extinction, we have destroyed indigenous crops and replaced with crops that aren’t suitable for certain climates. There is a thoughtlessness through which we move across this earth, or maybe it’s not thoughtlessness but a carelessness for the consequences of our actions. As if we don’t have a duty to take care of this earth, but that the earth is somehow indebted to us and we take from it what we want.

Unfortunately, the ones who will suffer the most is ourselves – especially those who face the greatest struggles and poverty. We need diversity to help us thrive and break down barriers. We have to sustain the natural biodiversity that exists on earth to ensure that we are able to find cures for diseases, that we protect the life and homes of animals, plants and eco-systems that we so desperately depend on.

On 22 May it is International Day for Biological Diversity– and it cuts across the Sustainable Development Goals and is connected to issues from sustainable agriculture to the protection of indigenous peoples. The theme this year is harmony with nature and sustainable development, and I think that is something we all must find ways to work towards. For me, this means to be more intentional in our learning and understanding of why biodiversity is so important, and remembering that it touches upon a number of the SDGs- what are we consuming? How are we reducing our waste? How do we travel to places? These are just some questions we can be asking ourselves.

#BiodiversityDay

Image: https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day