International Day of Biologic Diversity
Reflection
Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.
Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is necessary to preserve the web of life that sustains all living things. From a contemplative view it is to respect the presence of the Sacred in all life and in creation. It is to see creation as integrated and to reverence all its expressions. It is to be in awe at the variety of life’s expressions. One is enabled to see everything through the eyes of its Creator.
This year’s theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity is Our Solutions Are in Nature. It calls the global community to re-examine its relationship to the natural world. Despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our health, water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy. Biodiversity remains the answer to a number of sustainable development challenges that we all face. It remains the basis for a sustainable future. Nature-based solutions to climate, to food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods are the key. The theme emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
Prayer
Bless us with the courage to change.
Action
Learn about biodiversity. What is your level of concern with regard to biodiversity? How can you reverence creation?
Suggested Reading
How manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Psalm 104:24-30
Our insistence that each human being is an image of God should not make us overlook the fact that each creature has its own purpose. None is superfluous. The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost for ever.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
We must not be indifferent or resigned to the loss of biodiversity and the destruction of ecosystems, often caused by our irresponsible and selfish behavior.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si
A degraded habitat will produce degraded humans. If there is to be any true progress, then the entire life community must progress.
Thomas Berry
When we acknowledge that all of life is sacred and that each act is an act of choice and therefore sacred, then life is a sacred dance lived consciously each moment. When we live at this level, we participate in the creation of a better world.
Scout Cloud Lee
Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred.
Barbara De Angelis
When I was very young, biology, the diversity of life, was one of my main interests. I know there’s this image people have that I’m this spoiled, cocky punk of an actor. Honestly, that’s not who I am. I really care that so many species have been wiped out, like genocide of entire races. I believe in the divine right of all species to survive on this planet. So I decided I want to be active as an environmentalist. I learned. I asked experts. I got active.
Leonardo DiCaprio
From individual species through entire ecosystems, biological diversity is vital for human health and well-being. The quality of the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe all depend on keeping the natural world in good health.
Antonio Guterres
Biodiversity is the natural infrastructure supporting all life on earth — including human life. It is the food we eat – it is really on our plates every day – Biodiversity is the water we drink, and it is also the air we breathe. More than that, biodiversity is part of us, as we humans are part of nature.
Dr. Christiana Pasqua-Palmer
We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well – for we will not fight to save what we do not love.
Stephen Jay Gould
We share this planet with many species. It is our responsibility to protect them, both for their sakes and our own.
Pamela A. Matson