International Day for Biological Diversity 2025

• The extinction rate of species is now about 1,000 times higher than before humans exerted their influence on the world.
• Current investment in biodiversity barely covers 0.1% of global GDP.
• Crucial sector investors can make a difference in agriculture, water treatment and sustainable materials.

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Biological diversity, or simply biodiversity, encapsulates all the different kinds of life on Earth. From tiny organisms to whole ecosystems, it takes into account the evolutionary, ecological and cultural processes that help to sustain life.

All forms of life, from plants to humans, live in their own ecosystems, such as forests for plants and cities for humans, and their interaction too is part of the concept of biodiversity. Professor David Macdonald from Oxford University explained to The Guardian that “without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity”.

In order to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity, the United Nations celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. This year’s theme, ‘From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity’, aims to focus on implementing effective action to support biodiversity.

Healthy biodiversity is vital, and the reasons are both utilitarian and intrinsic. Not only do humans rely on biodiversity for food, water and shelter, but biodiversity also regulates climate, water purification, pollination and seed dispersal that, consequently, allows for food growth. Even modern medicines rely on biodiversity – for instance, some fungi that is grown on sloths’ fur can fight cancer.

Howard Gunstock, CEO of Carbon Kapture, an initiative that aims to grow seaweed to absorb CO₂, described biodiversity’s importance to Capital Monitor: “Our planet as we have it… exists because of [biodiversity].”