The United States Hasn’t Ratified an Important Biodiversity Treaty

World leaders are currently gathered in Montreal for the fifteenth UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, working toward a global treaty to help stave off mass extinctions, mitigate climate change, and conserve economically important natural resources for decades to come. But there’s one notable absence from this effort: the United States. Though not invisible at COP15, the U.S. is the only country in the world that has not yet ratified the 1992 treaty that established the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. Ethan breaks down why the convention is in line with the United States’ existing conservation priorities, what misconceptions have stalled our involvement, and how joining the convention would benefit us and the rest of the world in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”

The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.

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CREDITS

Writer: Ethan Brown

Editor: Megan Antone

Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt

Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman

Music: Brett Sawka

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.