Guide to the CBD

To brush up on my knowledge for the upcoming CoP9 on biodiversity, I've been reading 'Governing Global Biodiversity: the evolution and implementation of the Convention on Biodiversity.' The editor, Philippe G. Le Prestre, oversaw the contribution of 16 different authors.

I am only close to finishing the first chapter that relates the story of the biodiversity convention. The introduction, penned by the editor himself, traces the origin of the biodiversity through a conservation treaty. Biodiversity has now come a long way to discussing intellectual property rights, trade, technology transfer, human health, and culture.

What I have picked up from the first 30 pages of the book affirms the whole gamut of clashing interests not only in the issue of biodiversity but also environment in general.