International Day for Biological Diversity

Sea Turtle in Aruba. Photo: David Troeger on Unsplash

Sea Turtle in Aruba. Photo: David Troeger on Unsplash

The slogan for this year's International Day of Biological Diversity on May 22nd - Building a Shared Future for all Life - helps to grow momentum and support for the development of a new hope-filled agreement to protect species and habitats.

International efforts to protect and restore nature's diversity are critical to improving the health and wellbeing of the world's population and slowing the rise of global temperatures. In various parts of the world where land has been over-grazed and plummeted for resources, deserts have formed, leading to famine and the forced migration of peoples. Consumption in high-income countries is a driver for the exploitation of resources in economically poorer countries, leading to unjust and unequal outcomes. Australia's unique animals and plants are also under enormous threat, including the koala and platypus. Since colonization, Australia has developed one of the worst conservation records in the world. 

In the opening chapter of his book, 'To Care for the Earth: a call to a new theology,' Columban Fr Sean McDonagh outlines what is happening to air, soil, forests, water and life-forms as a result of our modern industrial and commercial culture. Fr Sean says, "This comes as a shock to us. Individual items might decay, but our technologies have the stamp of permanence about them. The Earth's ledger, which in the final analysis is the only real one, tells us that the Earth is finite and vulnerable." The whole system depends on our cooperation. We have been lulled into a complacency that Earth can always bounce back to supply our needs and that resources are somehow endless.

Advocates around the world recognize that species have value in their own right in addition to the vital role they play in the health and wellbeing of people. Healthy land and water systems are also incredibly important to spiritual and cultural wellbeing. The Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Coordinator in Fiji, Tevita Naikasowalu says, "once you remove the mangroves, you remove the whole cycle of life. Indigenous people are extremely spiritual people. Everything about us has a spirit to it, the spirit of the sea, the spirit of the tree, and the spirit of the river, animals and birds, people, land, everything. Wellbeing is about relationship." Tevita states the region of Oceania and the whole global community really needs to re-define what happiness and wealth means.

During a webinar hosted by the St John Vianney's Live Simply Group in the Diocese of Westminster in February this year, Fr Sean said, "extinction is always local." He encourages parish communities to look at what is happening in their area. 

The Faith Ecology Network (FEN) is an interfaith network of people based in Australia that connects faith with ecological awareness and care. FEN has a focus on the wonder of biodiversity. The 'Ten Ways Faith Groups Can Care for Biodiversity' guide produced by FEN, offers supportive ideas for caring for biodiversity. It is based on a process of listening, learning, reflecting and acting. The ten steps include learning from the wisdom of Elders, growing in a sense of place, collaborating locally and sharing initiatives. (See link below)

On a global scale, the slogan for the International Day of Biological Diversity - 'Building a Shared Future for all Life' - helps to grow momentum and support for the development of a new hope-filled agreement to protect species and habitats. The Post 2020 global biodiversity framework will be adopted at the second part of the international biodiversity summit, known as COP15, which is due to take place in Kunming, China later this year. The International Day of Biological Diversity campaign says, "every remaining day before the Biodiversity Conference counts to make your voice heard loud and clear: Let the world know that you wish for a strong global biodiversity framework that will 'bend the curve' on biodiversity loss. Let the world know that you care about the future."

Columban missionaries are actively participating in the lead up to COP15, as it relates integrally to the mission. Faith leaders question why the international meetings for the protection of biological diversity, critical to all of life, don't receive the same attention and support as the climate change meetings. The Columban International Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Coordinator, Amy Echeverria, along with the Advocacy Coordinator for the United States Region, Cynthia Gonzalez, attended the pre-COP15 Biodiversity meeting held in Geneva during March this year. Amy Echeverria stated the presence of Church in these forums is important. 

Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon

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