Summary
Recent discussions highlight significant global issues, including unrest in France and the UK government's approval of gas drilling at the Jackdaw gas field. Amid these events, a United Nations biodiversity conference, COP17, is underway in Armenia, focusing on the urgent need to address biodiversity loss. Felicity Capon emphasizes the critical nature of this conference, noting that governments have consistently failed to meet biodiversity targets since the convention's inception in 1992. Current funding for biodiversity initiatives falls far short of the pledged $200 billion annually, raising concerns about the effectiveness of international commitments.
The conversation also touches on the alarming rise of the online market for human remains, which operates in a legal gray area in the UK. Harriet Marsden reveals that while the Human Tissue Act regulates the use of human remains for medical purposes, it does not prohibit private ownership, leading to a thriving trade fueled by social media. Experts express concern over the implications of this unregulated market, including potential grave robbing and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the commodification of human remains.
Lastly, the centenary of Winnie the Pooh brings forth reflections on nostalgia and cultural significance. Jamie Timpson critiques the commercialization of characters like Pooh and Paddington, arguing that they symbolize a broader societal tendency to cling to childhood innocence. The discussion reveals how these characters have transcended their original narratives, becoming symbols of political dissent and cultural identity in various contexts. The ongoing debate about the return of Winnie the Pooh's original toys from the New York Public Library to the UK underscores the enduring impact of these beloved figures on national identity and memory.
Show Notes
How should we cope with the omni-crisis? Why are people selling human remains? And what can we still learn from a bear of little brain? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson
Image credit: Oli Scarff / AFP / Getty Images
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