COP16 – United Nation ‘s latest global gathering of world leaders to discuss the future of biodiversity – is underway in Cali, Colombia. It’s the first international check-in since countries came together in Montreal in 2022 to agree to protect 30% of the world in order to safeguard the diversity of life on Earth. After all, biodiversity matters for it upholds the life-giving systems that sustain us.
How is the work to protect biodiversity going? Are we all still on the same page? Is protecting 30% of the planet still possible? Is it too ambitious? Or is it not ambitious enough? And, by the way, who is going to pay the bill?
These questions and more are on the docket this week, and to help you understand the science – as well as the economic, social, and political consequences – of the conversations taking place in Cali, here are a few articles we think are worth you time:
The Issue
Humanity is on the verge of ‘shattering Earth’s natural limits’, say experts in biodiversity warning
Nature’s decline could bankrupt the global economy
Wildlife loss is taking ecosystems nearer to collapse, new report suggests
COP16
Two years ago, the world promised to protect nature. Pressure is mounting to deliver
Everything you need to know about the ‘other’ COP
Cop16: Colombia prepares to host ‘decisive’ summit on biodiversity
Cop16 at a glance: the big issues that will define talks at Colombia’s UN summit
Challenges + Opportunities
How finance can be part of the solution to the world’s biodiversity crisis
Global water crisis leaves half of world food production at risk in next 25 years
From drones to genomics, science can help fight extinction: that work must begin at Cop16
Can biodiversity credits unlock billions for nature?
Climate change solutions not always good for biodiversity
Research + Art
Human beings are wreaking havoc on the Earth’s biodiversity
Canadian artist brings ‘Biodiversity Jenga’ to COP16 in Colombia