2010 International Year of Biodiversity

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We share the planet with 13 million different living species including plants, animals and bacteria, only 1.75 million of which have been named and recorded. This incredible natural wealth is a priceless treasure that forms the ultimate foundation of our wellbeing. The systems and processes of this BIODIVERSITY produce our food, water and the air we breathe – the basic fundamentals of life.


However, Biodiversity’s contribution to our life is not just practical, physical and utilitarian, it is also cultural. The diversity of the natural world has been a constant source of inspiration throughout human history, influencing traditions, the way our society has evolved and supplying the basic goods and services upon which trade and the economy is built. The disappearance of unique species is a loss that cannot be calculated and leaves us all much poorer.

The UN has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. As a consequence, a global campaign designed to encourage worldwide action to safeguard biodiversity has begun. People all over the world are working to safeguard this irreplaceable natural wealth and reduce biodiversity loss. Humans are part of nature’s rich diversity and have the power to protect or destroy it.

Unfortunately, Human activity is causing the diversity of life on Earth to be lost at a greatly accelerated rate. These losses are irreversible, impoverish us all and damage the life support systems we rely on everyday. But we can prevent them. Now is the time to act.


BIODIVERSITY IS LIFE!!! BIODIVERSITY IS OUR LIFE!!! and COLOMBIA is one of the world's most biologically diverse countries. In honor of the 2010 initiative, I am planning a series to focus on some of the great biodiversity that can be found in Colombia. Hand in hand with this series, I plan to highlight some of the amazing national and natural parks of the country, and make suggestions as to how you can help Colombia preserve its biological diversity. I encourage you to involve you Colombian born children in learning about the amazing biodiversity of the country and taking at least 1 action as a family to preserve that diversity for future generations.

To learn more about the UN initiative:


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