Celebrate Biodiversity: Act Now for Biodiversity

2 June 2020

Week 1: What is Biodiversity?

The World Environment Day (WED) is observed every 5 June. This day is used to raise awareness of the benefits of environmental protection as well as highlight current and emerging environmental risks and opportunities.

The theme of this year’s WED is “Celebrate Biodiversity” and it will take place on Friday 5 June 2020. Queen Mary, University of London will use this year’s WED to highlight the risks associated with biodiversity loss as well as the widespread benefits of ecological systems.

Due to the magnitude of the impacts and consequences of biodiversity loss, we will be publishing a series of weekly biodiversity awareness messages throughout June 2020. These messages have been designed to detail various aspects of biodiversity.  

The first of our series of messages celebrating biodiversity has been adapted from the Natural History Museum on: What is Biodiversity?

Every positive action taken towards enhancing biodiversity would invariably contribute to reducing ecological loss and improve our environment. Therefore, in response to the above video, send biodiversity protection actions that you have taken or will take to sustainability@qmul.ac.uk

 

Week 2: Help protect Biodiversity?

The second of our series of messages on celebrating biodiversity is focused on the benefits of biodiversity. The video below developed by the Council of the European Union highlight the benefits of biodiversity and the need for protecting biodiversity.

As seen from the above video, we depend on biodiversity for the food we eat, the air we breathe as well as for improving our quality of life.

Ecosystems also play a vital role in climate change mitigation by absorbing up to 60% of the carbon we emit. Therefore, we will continue to promote nature-based solutions, like planting trees, nurturing soils, and restoring ecosystems in response to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Let us know if you have a story, message or video to share that celebrates biodiversity. We look forward to receiving your messages and feedbacks sustainability@qmul.ac.uk 

 

Week 3: Biodiversity Loss?

The third of our series of messages on celebrating biodiversity highlights the severity of biodiversity loss as well as the reason for every one to act to roll-back this environmental risk.

Below are 10 simple actions that can help reduce your own environmental impact, and adverse impacts on biodiversity.

1. Reduce or STOP the use of pesticides and fertilizers in your gardens.
2. Invest and grow wildlife friendly gardens/patios or balconies and choose wildlife-friendly fencing.
3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, with more emphasis on REDUCE (buy less non-essential materials). If you can COMPOST.
4. Use environmentally friendly personal and household cleaning products.
5. Buy local, organic food and drinks. Buy less meat and dairy. Grow some of your own fruits and vegetables.
6. Reducing energy wastage, contributes to reducing climate change and disturbance of habitat for fossil fuel exploration and extraction.
7. Conserve energy in your home. Home energy audits are available from energy service providers. Take advantage of all relevant government energy efficiency schemes.
8. If you can, explore walking and cycling. In addition, go for as high as possible mile per gallon (MPG) or more efficient, electric or hybrid vehicles.
9. Home-buy OR rent, choose a home with renewable energy and/or higher energy rating.
10. VOTE! Find out about legislation affecting biodiversity. Contact your political representatives, tell them how you feel and ask them what they will do to help. And support people and groups who are acting on long-term ecological sustainability.

The above list is not exhaustive. Remember that every positive action you take can help reduce biodiversity loss.

Good luck and talk to your friends and family if you can. Thank you!

Let us know if you have a story, message or video to share that celebrates biodiversity. We look forward to receiving your messages and feedback sustainability@qmul.ac.uk