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Science Weekly

Love motels and gridlocked talks: all the news from Cop16

Oct 31, 2024
Phoebe Weston, a biodiversity reporter for The Guardian, shares insights from the COP16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia. She highlights the humorous yet stark realities facing delegates, including their unique lodging arrangements. The conversation dives into the significant funding gaps for biodiversity, stressing the $700 billion needed for effective conservation. Weston also discusses efforts to protect the endangered cotton-top tamarin, alongside urgent topics like indigenous rights and the interconnectedness of climate and biodiversity challenges.
15:35

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Quick takeaways

  • The COP16 summit reveals the tension between wealthy nations' funding promises and the urgent financial needs of biodiversity efforts in developing countries.
  • Grassroots initiatives, exemplified by Rosamira Guillen's work with cotton-top tamarin monkeys, highlight the importance of local involvement in biodiversity conservation.

Deep dives

Unexpected Accommodations at COP16

The COP16 Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia has attracted a larger-than-expected number of delegates, leading to unconventional accommodations such as love motels. Delegates have reported humorous situations, highlighting the challenges of finding lodging, which became illustrated through experiences shared by reporters like Phoebe Weston. This unexpected influx demonstrates the growing global interest in biodiversity, but also uncovers logistical struggles, particularly for those whose hotels were canceled at the last minute. Amidst these quirky surroundings, the delegates are focused on addressing the pressing biodiversity crisis, which is critical given the alarming statistics indicating a significant decline in wildlife populations worldwide.

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