International Year of Biodiversity

UN [2010]

Also known as: IYB

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July 19, 2026

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The United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). This initiative was a year-long celebration aimed at increasing public awareness regarding the significance of biodiversity and strengthening conservation efforts. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, genetic variation within species, and the variety of ecosystems. Measuring biodiversity often involves counting species, but it can also consider the diversity at higher taxonomic levels (genera, families, etc.) and the uniqueness of species found in specific environments. The IYB's goals, including protecting terrestrial and marine areas, have continued to influence conservation efforts and national plans.12

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biodiversity
Counting species
…Nations named 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB)—a yearlong celebration intended to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and to reinforce conservation efforts. Many of the conservation goals promoted by the IYB have resurfaced periodically in later United Nations awareness campaigns—such as the International Year of…
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…Nations named 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB)—a yearlong celebration intended to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and to reinforce conservation efforts. Many of the conservation goals promoted by the IYB have resurfaced periodically in later United Nations awareness campaigns—such as the International Year of…
Read More