Biological Diversity Definition
There are various types of natural resources on the Earth, but the biological resource is of the utmost importance. For the economic and social development of human beings, biological resources play a crucial role. So, biological diversity is a global asset as for the present, and future generations are concerned. Despite that, there should be a check system to control and maintain biodiversity. The continuous human activities are taking a toll on biological diversity. The threat to biodiversity due to human intervention and human activity is more prominent, and it is getting worse day by day. The extinction of species due to human activities has continued till now.
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Success and Failure Behind Convention on Biological Diversity 1992
The convention on biological diversity was inspired by the few people committed to conserving biological resources and sustainable development. As far as its success is concerned, this must be noted that conservation of biodiversity is not an overnight job that can be completed. It is more like a set of actions that need to be done to conserve biological diversity. Conservation of biological diversity is not an act, and it is a consequence.
There is a popular perception that the convention on Biological Diversity CBD is a failure. Despite the contrary perception, the convention on biological diversity has successfully promoted conservationism and sustainable development. Of course, it has not reached the scale and speed needed to reverse the present trend completely. It is always a question of perspective.
The CBD has cooperated with other global biodiversity conventions and treaties like CITES, CMS, IPPC, IWC, Plant Treaty, Ramsar, and World Heritage. Not only that, major UN Organizations like FAO, ONEP, UNESCO, WHO, and other international organizations like CAFF, GEF, IUCN, etc., are successfully adopting an ambitious global Strategy for biodiversity for 2011-2020. This shows the success of the convention of biodiversity. We all know, still, there is a long way to go. Writing an idea on paper and implementing it in real life is a different task. It is still expected that the convention will inspire generations to come to preserve and opt for sustainability.
Role of US in Convention on Biological Diversity CBD
At the time of the convention on Biological diversity CBD, the President of the United States was George W. Bush. Nowadays, the supporters of George Bush say it was the right decision at that time, as the United States was the richest nation at that time, so Bush thought it was very loss oriented as far as the government is concerned because one of the aims of the convention was to provide financial benefits to the developing countries.
The opponents of this decision point out the United States’ position and global leadership. They say this is very disrespectful for the people of the world’s greatest nation because 191 parties joined the biodiversity treaty but not the United States. This shows the United States' position on the conservation of biodiversity. The greatest country in the world does not care about biodiversity is an irony in itself. This must be noted, while the United States is a non-party. However, there are still few private organizations in the United States that independently work on biodiversity conservation.
There is a saying or more like a prediction by the environmental scientists. The extinction of species at an alarming rate indicates there can be the extinction of human beings in the future. So, there is a need to conserve biodiversity.
Human beings, for their benefit, have been exploiting animals for a long time. People are poaching animals for the skin and tusk, and teeth, after the convention on biological diversity in the United States.
Need of Biological Conventions
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) intervened and with the help of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on biological diversity in November 1988. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aimed to explore the need for a global convention on biodiversity. Afterwards in 1989, in May, A group of experts (The Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical and Legal Experts) was approached to prepare a legal instrument for the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity. The need for this is discussed, and the importance of conserving biodiversity was discussed in detail. It was also concerned why developed countries should support developing countries financially to afford various programs to conserve biodiversity and local flora and fauna. Developed countries should share costs and benefits with the developing countries and support the innovation by local people to save biodiversity was the key highlight in the meeting.
The Ad Hoc Working Group, by February 1991, became the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. Its work was wrapped up on 22 May 1992 with the Nairobi Conference to adopt the convention on biodiversity.
FAQs on Convention on Biological Diversity
1. Which countries were not in favor of the historic convention on biological diversity?
Countries that sign the convention on Biodiversity are called parties, and the non-signing countries are called non-parties. Non-parties cannot have the power to negotiate and make changes to the Convention on Biodiversity, but they surely can propose ideas, and their proposal is taken into consideration. One of the most interesting things was the position of the United States on this convention. When the convention on Biological diversity CBD was scheduled for signature, eventually, 191 parties agreed. There were only four nations that were non-parties. These were Andorra, Iraq, Somalia, and the USA. There has been public activism in the United States to ratify its decision to join the convention on biological diversity articles.
2. When did Biological conventions come into action?
Any convention in the UN is first opened for signature for some time. That means countries are given ample time to think and agree or disagree on a convention. If they agree, they are asked to sign the convention. Just like that, the convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, which is popularly known as the 'Rio Earth Summit. It is also called the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992. The time to sign the Convention on Biological Diversity remained open up to 4 June 1993. Within this period, 168 signatures have already been registered. Finally, the convention entered into force on 29 December 1993. The first session of the conference of Parties occurred on 28th November-9th December 1994 in the Bahamas. The convention on biological diversity 1992 was a historic step by the UN.
