In a surprising move, the United States remains the only nation, aside from the Vatican, not to join the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a crucial global treaty aimed at conserving nature and promoting sustainable development. This lack of participation hinders the treaty's effectiveness in addressing the pressing issue of biodiversity loss, which has severe implications for the planet's ecosystem and, ultimately, human well-being.

The CBD, often referred to as the "Paris Agreement for nature," sets ambitious targets to conserve at least 30% of land and oceans, reduce subsidies harming ecosystems, and promote fair sharing of genetic resources. The treaty's significance lies in its potential to reform industries harming nature and mobilize funding for conservation efforts. However, without the US on board, these goals become increasingly difficult to achieve.

The reasons behind the US's reluctance to join the treaty are rooted in political and economic concerns, including fears about intellectual property rights, sovereignty, and the potential for increased environmental regulations. Despite these concerns being largely unfounded, they continue to influence the country's stance on the issue.

The absence of the US from the CBD has significant implications for the tech and startup community, as it hinders the development of innovative solutions that could support conservation efforts and promote sustainable development. The treaty's goals align with the interests of environmentally conscious startups and tech companies, which could benefit from collaborative efforts to address biodiversity loss.