At COP16, David Baldwin and Zohra Zahir reported on their activities from the second day, focusing on the rapid growth of synthetic biology and debates over access to Digital Sequence Information (DSI). Developing countries emphasized the need for local expertise, while other parties supported existing risk assessment methods. Indigenous leaders and scientists advocated for fair benefit-sharing policies, highlighting ethical considerations and policy gaps.

PhD student Zohra Zahir shares her experience attending COP16, describing it as surreal. As a first-time UN conference participant, she’s struck by the unity of global voices. Advocating for microbial communities, Zohra engages with biodiversity leaders, highlighting the essential role microbes play, especially in preserving wetlands and global ecosystems.

COP16 is a soup of people, from organizations, students, communicators and country representatives.

Earlier this year, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa introduced “ecocide” as a crime for consideration by the International Criminal Court. The COP16 panel explored the legal framework of ecocide, highlighting its potential to deter environmental destruction by holding powerful individuals accountable. Panelists included Jojo Mehta, Aresio Valiente Lopez, and Sophie Demenski.

ESA’s Executive Director expresses excitement as COP16 kicks off in Cali, a city known for its rich food and culture. Global delegates, welcomed by volunteers, quickly connect to tackle crucial biodiveristy issues.

Learn all about biodiversity credits, a market-based tool to fund conservation and restoration.

Your input will shape ESA’s official comments on this crucial document.

Updated October 28, 2024 Migration is now complete! ECOLOG-L is now fully functional on Simplelists. Here are instructions. The ECO community is fully functional on Discourse (though bear with us a bit, we may still need to iron out a few kinks). You can still participate if you don’t yet have an ESA account! Start your free web account with…

COP16 is the 2024 meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

ESA is pleased to announce its participation in the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia.

By the ESA Education and Diversity Office “Science isn’t finished until it’s communicated.” ~ Sir Mark Walport, UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser. As we continue to face extreme stress from changes in climate and related environmental issues, we are challenged to look toward solutions that increasingly call for public understanding and support.  The National Park Service (NPS), with its mission…

The scientific community will need to engage with the legal community by offering their expert knowledge to interpret the application of the law