BioDiversity E Café

May 20th: Health, Food and Biodiversity

Another important benefit that we obtain from biodiversity is that it provides us with food and medicine. Did you know that pollinators affect 35 percent of global agricultural land?

Introduction: Biodiversity is key for food security and nutrition; and contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 on poverty eradication and Goal 2 on zero hunger. Food systems depend on biodiversity and the ecosystem services that support agricultural productivity, soil fertility, and water quality and supply. For example, pollination is one of the most important mechanisms in the maintenance and promotion of biodiversity and life on Earth. Pollinators and pollination are critical for food production and human livelihoods, and directly link wild ecosystems with agricultural production systems. The soil’s ecosystem (microorganisms and invertebrates) are also critical for food security.

Resources: Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production

https://ipbes.net/assessment-reports/pollinators

Video: People, Plants and Pollinators | Nat Geo Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmL_XTrPOMw

Saying: This is the beginning of a difficult process of the protection of bees and other pollinators. We must do more than just talk, we should undertake concrete activities to increase care for bees and promote the development of beekeeping everywhere

- Dejan Židan Former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, and the head of the World Bee Day project

Did you know? May 20th is celebrated as World Bee Day. This day is celebrated since 2018

Fact: Pollinators such as bees, birds and bats affect 35 percent of the world's crop production, increasing outputs of 87 of the leading food crops worldwide, plus many plant-derived medicines. Pollination is estimated to be worth USD235 to USD577 billion annually to global crop production.

References:

https://fao.org

https://www.worldbeeday.org/en/   https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day

https://www.cbd.int/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day