Submitted by collins3@un.org on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 09:45 We depend on our environment for the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the climate that makes our planet habitable. For example, each year marine plants produce more than half of our atmosphere's oxygen, and a mature tree cleans our air, absorbing 22 kilos of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen in exchange. Despite all the benefits we receive from nature, we’re not always good stewards of our environmental gifts; to care for ourselves we must care for nature. World Environment Day is the most renowned day for environmental action. Since 1974, June 5th has been marked by people around the world, engaging with governments, businesses, celebrities and citizens to focus their efforts on pressing environmental issues. Test your knowledge of World Environment Day with the UNAI quiz! 1. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2020? A. Climate B. Biodiversity C. Sustainability Correct! Biodiversity is a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events - from bushfires in Brazil, the United States and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa, and now a global pandemic - demonstrate the interdependence of humans and our natural surroundings. Incorrect. The correct answer is B. Biodiversity is a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events - from bushfires in Brazil, the United States and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa, and now a global pandemic - demonstrate the interdependence of humans and our natural surroundings. Incorrect. The correct answer is B. Biodiversity is a concern that is both urgent and existential. Recent events - from bushfires in Brazil, the United States and Australia to locust infestations across East Africa, and now a global pandemic - demonstrate the interdependence of humans and our natural surroundings. 2. How much does biodiversity bring into the global economy every year? A. US$ 800-900 million B. US$ 125-140 trillion C. US$ 200-250 trillion Correct! The global economy is intricately tied to biodiversity. Services provided by biodiversity are worth an estimated USD $125-140 trillion per year, more than one and half times the size of the global GDP. For example, the Great Barrier Reef contributes USD $5.7 billion a year to the Australian economy and supports 69,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the economic value of natural land-based assets in the Americas, such as mineral deposits, forests and other raw materials and natural resources, stands at more than USD $24 trillion per year. Incorrect. The correct answer is B. The global economy is intricately tied to biodiversity. Services provided by biodiversity are worth an estimated USD $125-140 trillion per year, more than one and half times the size of the global GDP. For example, the Great Barrier Reef contributes USD $5.7 billion a year to the Australian economy and supports 69,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the economic value of natural land-based assets in the Americas, such as mineral deposits, forests and other raw materials and natural resources, stands at more than USD $24 trillion per year. Incorrect. The correct answer is B. The global economy is intricately tied to biodiversity. Services provided by biodiversity are worth an estimated USD $125-140 trillion per year, more than one and half times the size of the global GDP. For example, the Great Barrier Reef contributes USD $5.7 billion a year to the Australian economy and supports 69,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the economic value of natural land-based assets in the Americas, such as mineral deposits, forests and other raw materials and natural resources, stands at more than USD $24 trillion per year. 3. What word describes viruses that can be transmitted between animals and people? A. Zoonotic B. Enzootic C. Epizootic Correct! In recent decades zoonotic diseases, those transferred from animals to humans, have been responsible for a number of public health emergencies: Ebola; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); and the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have all either caused or threatened to cause major pandemics, with large numbers of deaths and billions in economic losses. According to the UN Environment Programme, 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic. The World Health Organization suggests that many factors lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, including deforestation and damage to animal habitats that put them in closer contact with humans. Zoonotic diseases can be spread a number of ways including direct and indirect contact with infected animals, foodborne and waterborne transmission, or through a bite from a vector such as a tick, flea or mosquito. Incorrect. The correct answer is A. In recent decades zoonotic diseases, those transferred from animals to humans, have been responsible for a number of public health emergencies: Ebola; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); and the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have all either caused or threatened to cause major pandemics, with large numbers of deaths and billions in economic losses. According to the UN Environment Programme, 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic. The World Health Organization suggests that many factors lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, including deforestation and damage to animal habitats that put them in closer contact with humans. Zoonotic diseases can be spread a number of ways including direct and indirect contact with infected animals, foodborne and waterborne transmission, or through a bite from a vector such as a tick, flea or mosquito. Incorrect. The correct answer is A. In recent decades zoonotic diseases, those transferred from animals to humans, have been responsible for a number of public health emergencies: Ebola; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); and the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have all either caused or threatened to cause major pandemics, with large numbers of deaths and billions in economic losses. According to the UN Environment Programme, 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic. The World Health Organization suggests that many factors lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, including deforestation and damage to animal habitats that put them in closer contact with humans. Zoonotic diseases can be spread a number of ways including direct and indirect contact with infected animals, foodborne and waterborne transmission, or through a bite from a vector such as a tick, flea or mosquito. 4. What percentage of the planet’s land is covered by forests? A. 30 per cent B. 40 per cent C. 50 per cent Correct! While forests occupy less than a third of the Earth’s surface, they are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects, serve as a source of livelihood to more than a quarter of the world’s population, offer sources of medicine and help clean the air by soaking up carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate with 7 million hectares of forest, an area roughly the size of Portugal, destroyed every year. Incorrect. The correct answer is A. While forests occupy less than a third of the Earth’s surface, they are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects, serve as a source of livelihood to more than a quarter of the world’s population, offer sources of medicine and help clean the air by soaking up carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate with 7 million hectares of forest, an area roughly the size of Portugal, destroyed every year. Incorrect. The correct answer is A. While forests occupy less than a third of the Earth’s surface, they are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects, serve as a source of livelihood to more than a quarter of the world’s population, offer sources of medicine and help clean the air by soaking up carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate with 7 million hectares of forest, an area roughly the size of Portugal, destroyed every year. 5. Which international agreement is dedicated to promoting nature and human well-being through the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity? A. The Convention on a Sustainable and Diverse Planet B. The Convention on Environmental Preservation C. The Convention on Biological Diversity Correct! The correct answer is C. The Convention on Biological Diversity, which entered into force on 29 December 1993, was inspired by the world community’s growing commitment to sustainable development and represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of these natural resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of these resources. Incorrect. The correct answer is C. The Convention on Biological Diversity, which entered into force on 29 December 1993, was inspired by the world community’s growing commitment to sustainable development and represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of these natural resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of these resources. Incorrect. The correct answer is C. The Convention on Biological Diversity, which entered into force on 29 December 1993, was inspired by the world community’s growing commitment to sustainable development and represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of these natural resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of these resources. Thank you for taking our quiz. Click submit to receive additional resources! Submit