World Wildlife Day is a celebration of our planet’s entire ecosystem. But it’s also a warning; it’s a reminder that our species' survival is intertwined with our wildlife. Here’s the scoop.
Growing up, we were taught elephants were being hunted for ivory, pandas were endangered and polar bears were on the brink of extinction. But it was a passing conversation. It had a “once they’re gone, they’re gone” vibe to it, which didn’t press home the ramifications of truly losing these animals. And the plights of less picturesque species were ignored altogether.
World Wildlife Day aims to start those conversations properly.
What is World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day is held on 3 March annually to celebrate the day the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973. What is it, though? It’s a celebration of our planet’s wildlife. Its goal is to raise awareness of the importance of conserving wildlife and their habitats and to promote global efforts to protect endangered species.
While it can feel like there’s an “International Day” for just about everything, World Wildlife Day is relatively overlooked when it should be one of the most important.
Why does World Wildlife Day matter?
At its heart, World Wildlife Day is all about highlighting the importance of biodiversity to our continued survival.
Right now, over 42,100 species are threatened with extinction. That’s 28% of all the species assessed. And today’s rate of extinction is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it should be naturally. And all of that is down to human activity.
While losing “one” species may not sound that bad, we’re at real risk of causing an “extinction domino effect”. The impacts of that would be much larger than just losing a greetings-card-worthy animal.
It could lead to an uninhabitable planet. That’s why World Wildlife Day matters.
World Wildlife Day 2023 theme
World Wildlife Day 2023’s theme is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet". This year, the focus is on the critical role of forests in sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people around the world and the role they play in maintaining the planet's ecological balance. There will be lots of events happening across the world, which you can join in with.
How can I make an impact with Algbra?
Social and environmental sustainability is core to the Algbra movement. Any funds you have in your Algbra account will never be used to harm people or the planet. And with Algbra, you can offset your carbon footprint into projects that help reverse the loss of biodiversity and prevent the destruction of ecosystems. Doing this can have a significant, positive impact on the long-term sustainability of our planet.
World Wildlife Day is a vital event on the global calendar. It brings the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems to the public consciousness. These problems aren’t solved in a single day – but by championing them, we help raise awareness, and can make a difference. One person at a time.
Join the movement
Download Algbra today, join the movement and start making a more sustainable world.
