Many Species, One Planet, One Future

"Many Species, One Planet, One Future" has been decided as the theme for World Environment Day (WED)-2010 by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), held on June 05, 2010 in Kigali of Rwanda, the East African country. This year's theme is 'Many Species. One Planet. One Future.' - a message focusing on the central importance to humanity of the globe's wealth of species and ecosystems. The WED theme also supports this year's UN International Year of Biodiversity. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future, the most important thing is to give a helping hand to the amazing variety of life on our planet.

A total of 17,291 species are known to be threatened with extinction - from obscure plants and insects to well-known birds and mammals. Also many species disappear before they are even discovered. What's the reason? Human activities. With our present approach to development, we have caused the clearing of much of the original forest, drained half of the world's wetlands, depleted three quarters of all fish stocks, and emitted enough heat-trapping gases to keep our planet warming for centuries to come. We have put our foot on the accelerator, making species' extinctions occur at up to 1,000 times the natural rate. As a result, we are increasingly risking the loss of the very foundation of our own survival. There are also environmental trends that threaten to radically alter the planet, that threaten the lives of many species upon it including the human species. Each year another 6.0 million hectares of productive dry land turns into worthless desert. Over three decades, this would amount to an area roughly as large as Saudi Arabia. More than 11 million hectares of forests are yearly destroyed. Like rebellious children, humankind has set itself against Mother Nature. For our survival, we must make peace and beg Her forgiveness.

With our present approach to development, we have caused the clearing of much of the original forests, drained half of the world’s wetlands, depleted three quarters of the fish stocks, and emitted enough heat-trapping gases to keep our planet warming for centuries to come.

As a result, we are increasingly risking the loss of the very foundation of our own survival. The variety of life on our planet – known as ‘biodiversity’ – gives us our food, clothes, fuel, medicines and much more. When even one species is taken out of this intricate web of life, the result can be catastrophic. For this reason, the United Nations has declared 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, and people all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss.

Rwanda’s capital Kigil was the global host for World Environment Day (WED) 2010 in conjunction with the celebration of the annual ‘Kwita Izina’ ceremony (which means giving names to Baby gorillas), under the theme, ‘Many Species, One Planet, One Future’, in an exciting event at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, shared by Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. Rwanda is home to about 1/3 of the 750 endangered mountain gorillas left in the wild. Since 2005, 103 baby gorillas have been named and this year 11 gorillas were named on the eve of WED, 2010.

Biological diversity encompasses all species of plants, animals and microorganisms and the ecosystems and ecological processes of which they are part. It provides the basis for life on earth. The fundamental, social, ethical, cultural and economic values of these resources have been recognized in religion, art and literature from the earliest days of recorded history. Wild species and the genetic variations within them make substantial contribution to the development of agriculture, medicine and industry. Perhaps, even more important, many species have been fundamental to stabilization of climate, protection of watersheds, protection of soil and the protection of nurseries and breeding grounds. Only 13% species are supposed to be known of the world’s existing microbial resources covering algae, bacteria, fungi, lichens, viruses and protozoa. Diversity of microorganisms is preserved through culture collections, to be used beneficially in mining for metals, getting rid of methane from coal mines, cleaning up of oil spills, creating perfumes, monitoring air pollution, controlling insect pests, destroying pesticides in the soil, etc.

Yet, some 100 species, out of the earth’s 30-50 million species are being lost each day under agriculture schemes, cities, industrial developments and dams or through pollution and erosion. A total of 17,291 species are known to be threatened with extinction – from little known plants and insects to birds and mammals. Many species disappear before they are even discovered. Humans are among only a handful of species whose population is growing, while most animals and plants are becoming rarer and fewer.

Man has always been fascinated by the diversity of life. Hunter-gatherers celebrated it through paintings in their caves. Gautama Buddha was born in a sacred forest of Sal trees and attained enlightenment meditating under a Peepal tree. The Bishnois of Rajasthan project antelopes as their blood brothers and President Theodore Roosevelt spearheaded the drive to protect American wilderness through national parks. At the same time people have often ruthlessly wiped out life in all its diversity. Mammoths were exterminated by hunter-gatherers during the last ice-age, and the bison was wiped out from American prairies by white settlers.

People have used and abused life with all its diversity over the ages, but never had diversity been a focus of worldwide attention. The rich and powerful in the global community have just realized its enormous economic potential.

The ancient scriptures are full of saying, justifying the need of survival of all life forms. The environmental consciousness shown by king Ashoka, the traditions being followed by the Bishnoi cult of Rajasthan, and the commitments reflected in the Chipko Movement are all examples of heightened awareness of the common man. However, the environmental consciousness of the people is often marred by their poverty and basic needs of survival. Their day-to-day need of fuel has led to cutting of forests. Tigers, deers, crocodiles, rhinoceros and other wild life are diminishing. The trade in the carcasses of endangered animals continues only because of the need of certain people to adorn them.

The intense pressure on biological diversity is a direct reflection of increasing human numbers. These pressures are expected to increase until population stabilizes, as projected by the United Nations by about the year 2050 – 2070 at about 10 billion. Such stabilization will be achieved only if present efforts to curtail population growth are pursued vigorously.

The theme of WED 2010, ‘Many Species, One Planet, One Future’, echoes the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet. A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect. Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together we can enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly created World Environment Day (WED) in 1972 to promote environmental awareness. This day is celebrated each year on June 5th. The UN takes this time to reach
out to anyone and everyone who has a concern for the great world that surrounds them and provides for them each and everyday. WED is also used as a way for the UN to heighten political perception that will hopefully propel action. The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."

United Nations Environment Programme

World Environment Day is about taking action and doing something to improve the world around us. By adapting the daily routine with simple changes the world will be a better place to live for all.

1. Conserve water. By not letting water run while we brush our teeth, shave, wash dishes, and many other water wasting activities we can conserve water. Just by not running water while brushing mourning breath away saves 3 gallons every time.

2. Insulate the water heater. This conserves energy.

3. Pack daily lunches in reusable containers.

4. Turn off lights and unplug appliances and other energy draining items such as phone charges. By conserving energy air pollution is decreased.

5. Shop with cloth bags not only at grocery stores but also department stores, clothing stores, and anywhere else the family shops.

6. Recycle.

7. Plant trees.

These seven changes to the daily routine might not sound like much but remember that every change made increases the chance of a biodiversity lasting. These seven changes are not the only ones the UNEP lists on their website, Unep.org. They have other great tools as well to help people improve carbon footprints. The UN has declared this year as the International Year of Biodiversity. Take June 5, 201 to not only become informed about the environment and the issues that affect the world but to start making changes to ensure that the generations coming will have a chance to live a life full of biodiversity.

Tropical rainforests are home to many of the strangest-looking animals. We have heard of some of them; jaguars, toucans, parrots, gorillas, all make their homes in tropical rainforests. In fact, about half of all the world's species live in tropical rainforests. Scientists estimate that there are more than 50 million different species of invertebrates living in rainforests; those are keeping balance of this earth for which we are surviving in this planet. The cutting down of trees is one of the vital reasons for species extinction. Today tropical rainforests are disappearing from the face of the globe because of global warming. Despite growing international concern, rainforests continue to be destroyed at a pace exceeding 80,000 acres (32,000 hectares) per day.

Thousands of monkeys and other primates are traded illegally on the international market each year, wanted for their fur, as pets, or for scientific research. Parrots and macaws are popular pets; buyers will pay up to $10,000 for one bird. King of the jungle, the Jaguar, is in danger of becoming extinct due to highly valued far for use on coats and shoes.

We have to try if we don't want to cry. If we don't take necessary steps one day we will also be extinct like the dinosaurs. World does not change until individuals change. Gandhi and Mendala, both stand up for the truth that harnesses a universal awareness as they did so. The time is to act now-Join the "Unite Campaign" and send out a message to the world that we need to unite, agree to save all species before it is too late.

We must organise activities that promote calls among our communities, schools and organisations to pledge to save all species in this world. Global Warming is destroying Earth's biodiversity and native ecosystems; so, we should:

1. Reduce use of fossil fuels;

2. Protect native forests as "carbon storehouses";

3. Help plant native trees in urban and deforested areas;

4. They reduce soil erosion and water pollution;

5. They provide habitat for native wildlife (including songbirds);

6. They improve human health by producing oxygen and improving air quality; and,

7. They reduce home energy needs by providing shade in summer and a windbreak in winter

There are thousand of trees in the forests . "Who planted the trees?" The chances are high it was an elephant, a primate or a fruit-eating bird or bat. Think of each tree as the result of an ecological event - an animal once ate a seed - maybe centuries ago - and a few weeks later, a seedling grew from a pile of poo.

No animals-no trees, no trees-no oxygen, no oxygen-no life. How will we survive? It follows then that to ensure permanence in forest carbon, we must ensure these ecological events keep happening. Ergo, hunting must be controlled just as logging, charcoal making and clearance for agriculture must be controlled if a healthy forest is to endure.

To protect penguins on the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula, regulators need to ensure the survival of krill, their food, and winter ice as area is ice-free for about four months.

We must put ban on plastic bags like Rwanda for restoration natural rain forests as part of a chimpanzee conservation programme.

By reading, learning and covey message to others about the importance of biodiversity and its extinction's bad effect, everybody can be aware and will work together to save our beloved earth.

Greed is what is destroying this world! COP15 summit success is less. The UNEP Conference is being held in Bonn, from May 31 to June 11,2010. We eagerly waiting to get proper solutions specially from the rich
countries for all species' survival in this planet.

Everything started for the 'big bang' and everything will end with the 'worst bang'. We don't want to be extinct so soon. Every nation should unite as a war is coming… So, I call whole world to work together for the better living of all the species so that "Many Species, One Planet. One Future" can be obtained for our beloved planet.

Around the globe, awareness of the need to protect the environment has grown exponentially since the United Nations started its first Conference on the Human Environment on June 5, 1972. The conference led to the observance of the first World Environment Day a year later. These days governments are implementing policies that reduce carbon footprints, promote energy efficiency, preserve natural habitats and save endangered species from extinction.

But awareness has not eliminated the threats to many aspects of the environment. Developing countries have often had to sacrifice environmental protection in the name of poverty alleviation and economic development. Advanced economies have opposed certain initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Endangered species continue to be threatened by hunters, poachers, and the destruction of their habitat. Even well-meaning efforts to preserve certain species and protect the environment have had unintended adverse consequences.

This year’s theme for World Environment Day is in keeping with the observance of 2010 as the year of biodiversity: many species, one planet, one future. The Philippines, which is home to the so-called center of the center of marine biodiversity, the Verde Island Passage, has a responsibility to protect what remains of nature’s blessings.

Over the past decades, the country has lost much of its forest cover and extensive coral networks. With limited funding, personnel and resources, environmental protection efforts have achieved only modest
success. Experts have managed to prevent the extinction of certain species such as the Philippine Eagle and the mouse deer, but smaller species of flora and fauna continue to disappear.

Environmental neglect has taken its toll on the nation, in terms of dwindling food supplies, endangered livelihoods, increased health risks, deadly mudslides and massive flooding. The country has joined the international community in the battle to save the planet, but more needs to be done. On World Environment Day, that commitment must be reaffirmed, backed by more resources and political will.

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