On
20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) proclaimed 3 March – the day of signature of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973 – as UN World Wildlife Day to
celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.
The UNGA resolution also
designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global
observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar. World Wildlife
Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to
wildlife.
THEME OF WORLD WILDLIFE DAY 2021
"Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet"
Facts
Between
200 and 350 million people live within or adjacent to forested areas around the
world, relying on the various ecosystem services provided by forest and forest
species for their livelihoods and to cover their most basic needs, including
food, shelter, energy and medicines.
Indigenous
peoples and local communities are at the forefront of the symbiotic
relationship between humans and forest, forest-dwelling wildlife species and
the ecosystem services the provide. Roughly 28% of the world’s land surface is
currently managed by indigenous peoples, including some of the most
ecologically intact forests on the planet. These spaces are not only central to
their economic and personal well-being, but also to their cultural identities.
Forests,
forests species and the livelihoods that depend on them currently find
themselves at the crossroads of the multiple planetary crises we currently
face, from climate change, to biodiversity loss and the health, social and
economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On
March 3 2021, World Wildlife Day will celebrate forest-based livelihoods and
seek to promote forest and forest wildlife management models and practices that
accommodate both human well-being and the long-term conservation of forests,
forest-dwelling species of wild fauna and flora and the ecosystems they
sustain, and promote the value of traditional practices and knowledge that
contribute to establishing a more sustainable relationship with these crucial
natural systems.
EVENTS
World
Wildlife Day 2021 Virtual Global Event: World Wildlife
Day is usually celebrated with a high-level event at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2021 celebration
will be entirely virtual: we will be holding an online event, bringing together
representatives of UN member States, UN System organizations and multilateral
environmental agreements, civil society, and the private sector for a series of
discussions along the theme of "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining
People and Planet".
The
preliminary agenda for the 2021 virtual event can be found here.
This virtual event will be broadcasted live to the public – details on how to
connect to the event will be made available here shortly.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Though we may
not be able to meet in person, there are plenty still plenty of ways for you
and everyone to take part in the 2021 World Wildlife Day celebrations, wherever
you are.
World Wildlife
Day has been observed in the in the past by people, groups and authorities
around the world and in various ways. This year, we will get creative and take
our passion for forests, forest species of wild fauna and flora, and for the
well-being of forest communities around the world, online.
You can watch
the World Wildlife Day celebration on 3 March and share it with your friends
and your community. You can also spread the word of this year’s theme, “Forests and Livelihoods:
Sustaining People and Planet” on social media and share links to the WWD Film Showcase and Youth Art Contest.
By simply
taking an interest in this year’s events and celebrations, you too you can help
raise awareness of forests, forest-dwelling wildlife and the efforts of forest
communities, and therefore promote conservation and sustainable use of forest
ecosystems and biodiversity.
There is plenty
more you can do every day to support the message of World Wildlife Day. Here
are some of our suggestions for this year's celebrations:
Get to know the forest ecoystems and wildlife species
nearest to you and the threats they face. Find out more about the local and
indigenous communities who live in or near forests, their livelihoods and how
their knowledge and experiences can enlighten conservation efforts for forests
and forest species around the world. You can look at the work of Indigenous and
locally-led civil society groups like Alianza Ceibo, in Ecuador, or Vie Sauvage, in D.R. Congo, and learn
about the novel paths to a sustainable relationship with nature towards which
they are working. Share this knowledge with your family and friends.
Raise your voice and spread the
word on social media: share your thoughts and upload a picture of
yourself and those closest to you with our poster, or use our Social Media Kit for inspiration.
Use our
hashtags for this year's celebration: #ForestPeoplePlanet; #WorldWildlifeDay; #WWD2021.
And do follow
us on the official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts of World Wildlife
Day.
Bring World Wildlife Day with you to
class or to the office, whether virtually or in person, and talk to
colleagues, teachers, other students or educators about forests, forest
wildlife and forest communities. Young people are the future leaders of
wildlife conservation and we welcome their interest and involvement. A thriving
planet, with healthy forest ecosystems that can sustain communities close to
them and beyond, and a rich wildlife roaming through them are a cause
well-wroth raising your voices for!
Everyday wildlife
protection
Though World
Wildlife Day is an annual celebration, wildlife conservation is an issue that
needs attention and action every day.
The threats
weighing on wildlife and biodiversity are often big and complex, so much so
that individuals might feel powerless about them. However, every person’s small
actions add up to a much larger solution, which can make the difference between
species and ecosystems surviving and thriving and having them wane and even
disappear.
Just #DoOneThingToday to
make a difference and help wildlife conservation.
Set a Goal – Live
your daily life with the smallest negative impact on the environment, wildlife,
their habitats, or the planet’s biodiversity.
Mobilize –
Encourage local schools, clubs, governments and businesses to discuss wildlife
conservation and what you and your community can do to help.
Consume Responsibly – By not
purchasing products made from illegally sourced, protected wildlife or their
parts and products, you can stop wildlife trafficking from being a profitable
enterprise. More information can be found through your national or local
wildlife authorities or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species or Wild fauna and Flora (CITES).
Volunteer – We
cannot always give money, but we can donate our time. Often wildlife
organisations and zoos have volunteer programs. You could also help clean
beaches, rescue wild animals or teach tourists about your local habitat.
Stay informed – Learn
more about our planet’s flora and fauna, including those that are in danger of
extinction. Research ways that you or your community can conserve and protect
wildlife. Inform yourself on current environmental matters and be aware of your
individual impact on ecosystems and wildlife. Think globally, act locally.
Speak up – Share
your knowledge, passion and questions about wildlife conservation with your
friends, family and community – either in person or online.
Reach out – inform
authorities if you have information on illegal logging, fishing and wildlife
trafficking; whistle-blowers play a critical role in detecting wildlife crimes
and holding criminal smugglers accountable.
(Source : https://www.wildlifeday.org/)
