World Wildlife Day
On World Wildlife Day, 3 March, people all around the world hold
events to celebrate the natural world and to raise awareness of the
importance of protecting wildlife.
Every year, people all over the world hold all kinds of events to
celebrate World Wildlife Day. Their aim is to raise awareness of the beauty
and the importance of our natural world and to look for ways to protect and
conserve it.
How
it first started.
In December 2013, 40 years after it had
signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora, the United Nations General Assembly decided to
create a day to raise awareness of the world's wild animals and plants and
the importance of protecting them. They decided to call it World Wildlife
Day and chose 3 March as the date to celebrate it.
Why is it so important?
Earth is home to many, many different species of plants and animals, more
than we can possibly count. It is this rich diversity, and the delicate balance
between all the different forms of life, that makes life possible on our
planet. We depend on all the elements of the biosphere for all our basic
needs: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the
energy and materials we use to make the things we need to live our lives.
Each and every species is equally important. One of the aims of World
Wildlife Day is to raise awareness of these facts.
What are the problems facing wildlife today?
Sadly, many human activities such as mining, farming and construction are
constantly putting wildlife in danger. We are cutting down too many trees,
clearing too much ground and building so many roads that we are
destroying the natural habitats of millions of species and putting the world's
biodiversity at risk. Nearly a quarter of all species are at risk of becoming
extinct in the next 50 years, and their disappearance is putting us, humans,
in danger as well.
What are the solutions?
We need to live more sustainable lives and to learn to respect nature and
defend its diversity. We need to push our governments to conserve and
protect the natural habitats of all the species that are in danger of
becoming extinct. We all need to work together to protect our planet
– and
ourselves.
What can you do to help on World Wildlife Day?
You can join local events and find out more about wildlife in your local area.
You can donate time or money to organizations that are protecting wildlife
locally or internationally. You can sign petitions and write to your
government. You can share films, photos and articles with friends and your
family. Post them on your social media channel and spread the message
wherever you can. You can use the hashtags #WorldWildlifeDay and
#DoOneThingToday to join in with the global conversation. Whatever you
do, you won't be alone. Millions of people all around the world will be
joining the celebrations and fighting for a better future for our planet.
Conserve – to keep or protect something from damage, change or waste
To conserve electricity, we are cutting down on our central heating.
Delicate – needing careful treatment, especially because easily damaged
Peaches have very delicate skins which are easily bruised.
Part of the earth’s environment where life existed.
Biodiversity – the number and types of plants
and animals that exist in
particular area.
We are destroying the biodiversity of the planet.
Extinct – not now existing
There is concern that the giant panda will soon become extinct.
Sustainable – causing little or no damage to the
environment and therefore
able to continue for a long time
A large international meeting was held with the aim of promoting sustainable
development in all countries.
Petition – a document signed by a large number
of people demanding or
asking for some action from the government or another authority.
I signed a petition against the proposed closure of the local hospital today.
