The Heat: Bolivian President Luis Arce and UN Head of Biodiversity Elizabeth Mrema

The Heat

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: Bolivian President Luis Arce speaks at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at U.N. headquarters on September 20, 2022 in New York City. After two years of holding the session virtually or in a hybrid format, 157 heads of state and representatives of government are expected to attend the General Assembly in person. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Anna Moneymaker / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The fight against climate change is front and center at this year’s United Nations General Assembly. World leaders are sounding the alarm as we experience devastating floods, droughts and heat.

Another critical component in this fight is biodiversity. Scientists say the delicate balance of species that propagates life on Earth is seriously threatened. From coastal reefs to the Amazon rainforest, billions of life forms are now extinct – endangering future generations.

I spoke with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema. She is the UN’s Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. But first, to some economic lessons from Bolivia.

My colleague Elaine Reyes spoke with Bolivian President Luis Arce about some of the pressing issues facing his country and what he expects at this year’s UN General Assembly.

 

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