2010 - International Year of Biodiversity

The Linnean Society of London is one of the 150+ organisations, charities and groups across the UK that are joining together to play a part in the global awareness campaign, International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

Talks, exhibitions, public dialogues, artwork, citizen science experiments and exhibitions encompassing both science and the arts are being planned from January - December 2010 under the banner of International Year of Biodiversity UK (IYB).  IYB aims to help people discover the connections between themselves and the world around them, and to realise the consequences of biodiversity loss, as well as the huge benefits that are shared if we conserve and use life on earth in a sustainable way.

Key issues that will be under discussion during the International Year of Biodiversity include:

• why is biodiversity so crucial to life on earth for food, wealth and wellbeing
• what the consequences will be to vital natural services such as providing clean water and soil
• celebrating the sung and unsung heroes and heroines saving biodiversity
• how world leaders will respond to the challenge when they meet in October 2010 in Nagoya
• how to get involved and help protect biodiversity

It is hoped that the partnership of key organisations in the UK and across the world will encourage people to understand the issues, and learn of some of the success stories which indicate a way forward which can make a difference.  IYB gives people an opportunity to take time throughout 2010, and beyond, to appreciate the natural world around them, and join the world-wide action on a local level.

The United National General Assembly has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.  The celebrations and events across the world will act to highlight the loss of biodiversity, which is estimated to be as high as 100 times the natural rate as a result of human activities, and expected to rise further as a result of the impacts of climate change.  The impact of its loss to the essential services that sustain human life, is on a scale similar to the impact of climate change, an order of magnitude greater than the current global financial crisis.

In October 2010, governments will set new targets and steps needed to address biodiversity loss, and it has been widely acknowledged that the original targets set after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 have not been met.

Information on how to get involved, or to find out about events during International Year of Biodiversity in the UK can be found at www.biodiversityislife.net.

We'd like everyone to do one simple thing to preserve life on earth.  With your help, it is easier than it sounds:

1) Make your New Year resolution for 2010 to do something to support biodiversity

2) Choose a simple, fun pledge from the list on the International Year of Biodiversity UK website http://www.biodiversityislife.net/?q=do-one-thing

3) On 1 January 2010 - or as soon as you can in 2010 - let people know what you are doing: tweet, email, Facebook or blog your pledge to inspire others to do something similar.  Please include http://www.biodiversityislife.net/?q=do-one-thing in your communication.

Together we can make a difference.

Follow the International Year of Biodiversity on Twitter at Biodiversity2010 where IYB is tweeting as iyb-uk.

Upcomming Events include:

"Restoring British Biodiversity: Native Mammal Reintroductions and the Scottish Beaver Trial ", a lecture by Tony King FLS on 21st January 2010;

"Is biodiversity really under pressure? ", a lecture organised by Sandy Knapp FLS and Peter Bridgewater FLS on 11th February 2010;

Key dates include:

13th & 14th January - Inter-Academy Panel Meeting on biodiversity hosted by the Royal Society in London

22nd May - International Biodiversity Day

18th - 29th October - 5th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Nagoya, Japan