Why do 30 years of landmark climate agreements never once mention fossil fuels, oil, gas or coal? And what does it take to stand up in a room full of world leaders and object? In the latest episode of Summit Talks, Beatrice Fihn sits down with Daniela Durán González, former Head of International Affairs at Colombia's Ministry of Environment, for an in-depth conversation filmed at Croix de Culet, in the Dents du Midi region of the Swiss Alps. From the basics of what fossil fuels are and why phasing them out is scientifically non-negotiable, to the geopolitics of energy dependency, the wars it fuels, and the negotiating rooms where a few powerful states have repeatedly blocked progress, Daniela maps out the full scale of the problem. She also lays out what comes next: the Santa Marta process, the coalition of countries done waiting, and why she has not given up hope. Full episode now available on YouTube and Spotify #SummitTalks #InternationalLaw #ClimateChange #FossilFuels @BeaFihn

Today is World Oceans Day. 🌊 A good moment to revisit something @LuisVayasEc said when we filmed Episode 2 of Summit Talks. 🏔️🎙️ He had just stepped down as chair of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. The talks in Geneva had ended without a final text. A lot of people called it a failure. He pushed back on that framing. And he said something worth holding onto. "We are all on the same side of the table. On the other side is plastic pollution. And we are going to win." He also shared something that explains exactly why a global treaty is the only path forward. Ecuador banned single use plastics from the Galapagos Islands. A national park. One of the most protected places on earth. And plastic still washes in. Carried by the currents from everywhere else. You cannot solve a global ocean with a national law. That is why Luis refused to sign off on a weak agreement in Geneva. His words: "I won't be chair to a treaty that won't give credible rules to end plastic pollution." No deal over a bad deal. That takes real conviction when you have been negotiating for years and the pressure to just get something done is enormous. The treaty is still being negotiated. But the people pushing for it are not giving up either. Full conversation with Luis is on YouTube and Spotify. Link in comments. #SummitTalks #WorldOceansDay #GlobalPlasticsTreaty #InternationalLaw #PlasticPollution

Scary rumours have spread that AI and emerging technologies can let anyone with a computer and an internet connection design a virus, unleash it and kill millions. #Bioweapons expert @FilippaLentzos told us why it is not that simple. Phew. A #SummitTalks conversation on #biosecurity. Full episode on YouTube.

In light of the increasing use of AI in armed conflicts across the globe, we commissioned an international survey that assessed public attitudes toward the use of AI-enabled weapons against people and here are the results

This follows a historical pattern on weapons. From chemical weapons & landmines to cluster munitions & nuclear weapons, public opposition preceded diplomatic action on international regulations. Each time, the gap between public opinion & national policy eventually closed.