Delegates at biodiversity COP17 should follow the lead of Global South women

Valentina Figuera Martínez (Global Forest Coalition, GFC) - As global leaders continue COP17 negotiations, it is difficult to ignore how women’s oppression is deeply intertwined with the exploitation of ecosystems. After almost two decades of pledges, biodiversity action remains underfunded, forest loss continues to be a growing threat, socio-ecological transitions are a low priority, and ecosystems are spiraling toward collapse.

Armenian CSO Statement on Amulsar Mining Project

Statement by “Ecolur” Informational NGO on behalf of additional signatories - Just one week before COP17, the Armenian government took part in the ceremonial launching of the Amulsar gold mining project that directly violates the CBD and the Bern Convention, and is a setback to achieving most of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets. 

Financing Biodiversity Destruction Remains Legal, Profitable and Weakly Governed

Tom Picken (RAN) - Some of the most important decisions about biodiversity finance at COP17 may not be about biodiversity finance at all. Much of the money driving biodiversity destruction flows through perfectly legal, often highly profitable activities, frequently supported by harmful incentives. These flows remain largely unchecked by the rules governing banks, investors and other businesses.

In memoriam: Christine von Weizsäcker

--

old knowledge like the buried roots of trees

here sun beats down
on scorched earth,
too dry for plant and animal,
no tree in sight,
become a desert ...

yet deep in the parched ground
where farmers once raised beef to sell abroad
then left the land they'd ruined,
the roots of trees they felled remain,
invisible, waiting to grow again -

for, it seems, however many times
the trees themselves
are felled, their generous roots still live,
and, if allowed, will shoot again,
give shade and water, food, life and hope.

they often say old knowledge
is of the past, outdated, mere superstition
they claim their science is precies, infallible,
sole path to the future -

but what do the roots say?

we will be trees once more
they will whisper to the listening stars:
to have a future, you must hear the past;

the soil of insight
must be enriched through time -

with living roots
still deep in earth
we wait our time
to return.

Helena Paul