World Environment Day 2020: Why Biodiversity Conservation Matters More Than Ever

By Garima Batra

Every year on June 5, the world comes together to observe World Environment Day, a global initiative launched by the United Nations  in 1972 to inspire awareness and action for environmental protection.

Recognised as one of the largest environmental awareness events worldwide, World Environment Day 2020 focuses on the theme “Celebrate Biodiversity”, highlighting the urgent need to preserve Earth’s rich ecosystems.

This year, the event is hosted by Colombia in partnership with Germany. Colombia, one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, is home to nearly 10 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. As part of the Amazon rainforest region, it ranks first globally in bird and orchid species diversity, and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fish, and amphibians.

Why Environment Conservation Should Not Be Limited to One Day

While dedicating a day to environmental awareness is important, protecting nature must become a continuous commitment rather than an annual reminder.

Everything essential to human survival comes from nature:

• The air we breathe
• The water we drink
• The food we consume
• The clothes we wear
• The homes we live in
• The energy we use

Nature functions like a life-support system, generously providing resources for our survival. Yet instead of nurturing it, humanity has often overexploited these resources, placing enormous pressure on the environment.

The Growing Impact of Environmental Neglect

Environmental damage is no longer theoretical—it is visible all around us.

Just as stress weakens the human body, excessive exploitation weakens nature, resulting in:

• Rising pollution levels
• Water body contamination
• Forest fires
• Ozone layer depletion
• Water scarcity
• Poverty linked to resource depletion
• Natural disasters and climate-related crises

Many experts also believe that increasing ecological disruption contributes to global health crises, including zoonotic diseases.

What Covid-19 Taught Us About the Environment

The Covid-19 lockdowns offered an unexpected glimpse into what environmental recovery looks like.

During global shutdowns, many regions experienced:

• Cleaner air and clearer skies
• Reduced carbon emissions
• Cleaner rivers and water bodies
• Visible ozone layer recovery
• Increased wildlife movement
• Reduced industrial pollution

For a brief moment, the planet showed signs of healing.

The Environmental Cost of the Pandemic

However, the pandemic also created new environmental challenges.

The widespread use of:

• Face masks
• PPE kits
• Sanitiser bottles
• Disposable gloves
• Plastic packaging

has significantly increased plastic waste, much of which has entered oceans and water bodies, threatening marine ecosystems.

Have We Truly Learned Our Lesson?

The pandemic served as a wake-up call, forcing humanity to reconsider its relationship with nature.

The pressing question remains:

Will we adopt sustainable living practices, or will we return to environmentally destructive habits?

This moment offers a rare opportunity to rethink how we consume, build, travel, and live.

Small Actions Can Create Big Environmental Change

Environmental conservation begins with individual choices.

Simple steps such as:

• Reducing plastic use
• Conserving water
• Supporting biodiversity
• Planting trees
• Recycling responsibly
• Choosing sustainable products

can collectively create significant positive change.

Conservation Today or Crisis Tomorrow?

The future of our planet depends on the decisions we make today.

World Environment Day reminds us that protecting biodiversity is not just about saving wildlife—it is about securing humanity’s future.

If we fail to act now, environmental degradation may one day become irreversible.

The question is simple:

Will we choose conservation today, or face greater suffering tomorrow?