FILIPINOS FOR NATURE

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Celebrating Biodiversity: Building Harmony with Nature

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, we celebrate the Philippinesโ€™ rich ecosystemsโ€”from the forests to the Verde Island Passage. Letโ€™s take action to protect our biodiversity, which sustains our food, water, health, and livelihoods, and commit to living in harmony with nature for a sustainable future.

International Day for Biological Diversity โ€“ May 22, 2025

Today, on the International Day for Biological Diversity, we pause to recognize the richness of life that surrounds us and the vital role it plays in securing our future. With the theme โ€œHarmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,โ€ this yearโ€™s celebration calls for collective action to protect the web of life that sustains us all.

The Philippine Biodiversity Treasure

The Philippines is one of the worldโ€™s 17 megadiverse countries, home to thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth. From the Philippine Eagle soaring over forest canopies to the Tarsier hiding among the trees of Bohol, our islands hold remarkable natural wealth.

Below the surface, our seas tell an equally stunning story. The Verde Island Passage, located between Batangas and Mindoro, is recognized as the โ€œCenter of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity in the World.โ€ It supports over 1,700 marine species, including vibrant corals, rare fish, and threatened sea turtles. This marine corridor is not just a global ecological treasure, it also sustains local livelihoods through fishing, tourism, and coastal protection.

Yet this abundance is under threat. Deforestation, plastic pollution, overfishing, climate change, and unsustainable development are pushing many species to the brink of extinction. Over 700 species in the Philippines are threatened, and critical habitats, both land and sea are rapidly shrinking.

A view of Isla Verde, known as the center of marine biodiversity in the world, teeming with vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life that highlight the Philippinesโ€™ global ecological significance.

A Philippine tarsier, one of the worldโ€™s smallest primates, faces endangerment due to habitat loss.

Why Biodiversity Matters to Us

Biodiversity is not just about rare animals or lush forests, itโ€™s about life itself. Our food, water, health, and economy depend on thriving ecosystems. Farmers rely on healthy soil biodiversity. Fishers depend on resilient marine habitats like those in the Verde Island Passage. Communities near forests benefit from clean air and protection against floods and landslides.

When we protect biodiversity, we are also building resilience against climate change, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, and preserving cultural heritage.

What We Can Do?

Everyone has a role in protecting our biodiversity. Here are a few ways you can help:

1. Support local conservation efforts. Join or donate to organizations working to protect forests, marine sanctuaries, and wildlife in your area.
2. Practice sustainable consumption. Choose local, seasonal, and responsibly sourced products.
3. Say no to single-use plastics. Plastic pollution is a major threat to marine and coastal biodiversity.
4. Protect green spaces. Advocate for urban green spaces and nature-based solutions in your barangay or city.
5. Educate others. Share what you know and inspire others to take action for nature.

Photo by Thanakorn Lappattaranan on Vecteezy

A circular model illustrating key elements of sustainable consumption and production, including waste management, sustainable transport, and eco-labelling.

Building Harmony with Nature

Protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental issue, itโ€™s a development issue. It’s about recognizing our interdependence with nature and reshaping our actions to ensure that people and planet can thrive together.

This May 22 letโ€™s reaffirm our commitment to live in harmony with nature from the mountaintops of the Cordilleras to the vibrant reefs of the Verde Island Passage. The future of our communities, culture, and country depends on it.

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