Born on May 22
International Day for Biological Diversity
Every species counts, including us.
Next: May 22, 2027
Where it comes from
On 22 May 1992, at a conference in Nairobi, governments adopted the agreed text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a treaty to conserve the variety of life, use it sustainably and share its benefits fairly. The UN first set the day on 29 December, the date the Convention came into force in 1993.
How it's celebrated
The Convention's secretariat, governments, schools and parks hold walks, talks and species counts. For years its Green Wave invited schools to plant a tree at 10 a.m. local time on 22 May, so that a wave of planting rolled around the world from east to west.
Did you know
The Convention was opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit on 5 June 1992 and gathered 168 signatures within a year.
Read the full story of International Day for Biological Diversity
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Gemini · May 21 – June 20 · Air sign
Curious and chatty, always with two ideas on the go.