May 22nd, International Biodiversity Day

World Biodiversity Day

It would be great news if World Biodiversity Day were to disappear from our annual calendar, since the very existence of World Days lies in the need to raise awareness of a problem that requires decisive action. But in the case of biodiversity, the data on its decline worsens every year, and the need to take action to halt it becomes ever more urgent.

According to the UN, human activity has altered three-quarters of the terrestrial environment and around 661% of the marine environment, and according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), more than one million species of animals and plants are in danger of extinction.

Biodiversity, key to curbing pandemics

According to the UN, more than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods, and another 1.6 billion depend on forests. Conserving all of Earth's species is no longer just an altruistic endeavor; it is vital to ensuring our survival.

Source: Sustainability for all.

In fact, pandemics like the new coronavirus COVID-19 force us to reconsider the protective role of biodiversity for the future of humankind, since in addition to its many benefits, it has one key one: it protects us from infectious diseases.

There is evidence that loss of biodiversity could increase cases of zoonosis, that is, diseases transmitted from animals to humans. In fact, 70% of emerging infections in recent years have been cases of zoonosis. Since this transmission process in nature usually involves several species, the decline in biodiversity and the extinction of many of them increases the likelihood of these pathogens reaching humans.

UCundinamarca, our commitment to recycling and biodiversity

Committed to fulfilling the objectives of the UCundinamarca Environmental Policy aimed at protecting and preserving nature, we continue with the #AmbientalMente Challenge, sharing from the branches and extensions how to live in balance with nature, which began in the Girardot Branch commemorating Earth Day on April 22 and continues today with the commemoration of Recycling Day and International Biodiversity Day, with the Extensions of Facatativá, Soacha and Ubaté.

The branches and extensions continue to participate with their videos demonstrating the environmental commitment of the UCundinamarca Community, a commitment that transcends the institution's facilities, fulfilling the translocality that the institution promotes - intelligent with soul and heart.

The Environmental Management System invites the university community to continue actively contributing to the care of nature, today from home and later, from wherever we may be, but always acting in balance with nature.

UCundinamarca invites you:

The Environmental Management System of the U. invites you to the Commemoration of Recycling Day with the discussion: Managing Waste #AEnvironmentally in Balance with Nature.

With the participation of the Regional Autonomous Corporation -CAR. CicloReciclo Program, and the Secretariat of Agricultural Development and Environment of the Mayor's Office of Facatativá.

Date: May 22, 2020 11:00 AM We'll be waiting for you: https://zoom.us/j/99322409502 Meeting ID: 993 2240 9502 Connection link: https://zoom.us/skype/99322409502

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