| IYB-UK aims to help people discover the connections between themselves and the world around them and to realise the consequences of biodiversity loss, as well as the huge benefits that are shared if we conserve and use life on Earth in a sustainable way. |
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| It is hoped the partnership of key organisations in the UK and across the world will encourage people to understand the issues and learn about some of the success stories that indicate a way forward that can make a difference. IYB2010 gives people an opportunity to take time throughout 2010 and beyond to appreciate the natural world around them and join in the world-wide action on a local level. |
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| The United National General Assembly has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. The celebrations and events across the world will act to highlight the loss of biodiversity, which, as a result of human activities, is estimated to be as high as 1,000 times the natural rate, and is expected to rise further as a result of the impacts of climate change. The impact of biodiversity loss to the essential services that sustain human life is on a scale similar to the impact of climate change, an order of magnitude greater than the current global financial crisis. |
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| In October 2010, governments will set new targets and steps needed to address biodiversity loss for the decade ahead, and it has been widely acknowledged that the original targets set after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 have not been met. |
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| For information on how to get involved, or to find out about UK events during the International
Year of Biodiversity, log on to www.biodiversityislife.net |
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| Key dates during International Year of Biodiversity include: |
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| 13–14 January 2010 |
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| Inter-Academy Panel Meeting on Biodiversity hosted by the Royal Society, London |
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| 22 May 2010 |
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| International Biodiversity Day |
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18–29 October 2010 |
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| 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in
Nagoya, Japan |
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| The aims of the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity are to: |
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Stress the importance of biodiversity for our wellbeing |
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Reflect on our achievements to safeguard biodiversity so far |
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Encourage a redoubling of our efforts to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss |
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| IYB-UK (www.biodiversityislife.net) |
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| The UK partner resource to the IYB2010 is led by a secretariat hosted by the Natural History Museum and supported by Defra, it includes hundreds of organisations across diverse sectors in all four countries of the UK. The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD United Kingdom +44 (0)20 7942 5654 |
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