Indigenous Peoples' Computing Royalties to Fuel Global Biodiversity Fund

Use Computing Royalties to Kick-Start Biodiversity Fund In a move aimed at recognizing the invaluable contributions of Indigenous peoples to modern society, a proposal has been put forth to utilize computing royalties to kick-start the Cali Fund, a biodiversity fund established by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in 2024. The Cali Fund was created to accept voluntary corporate payments for the use of genetic information derived from Indigenous communities. However, despite its establishment, the fund remains empty, awaiting contributions to support biodiversity and compensate Indigenous peoples for their efforts in selective breeding that has led to the development of species with useful genetic properties. "This is a matter of justice and recognition," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on Indigenous rights and biodiversity. "Indigenous communities have been the backbone of modern society, providing us with essential resources such as food, medicines, and textiles. It's time for us to acknowledge their contributions and provide them with the compensation they deserve." According to research published in the Journal of Intellectual Property Law Practice, Indigenous peoples have spent millennia selectively breeding plants and animals, resulting in species with unique genetic properties that are now used in modern industries (Lawson et al., 2024). However, these efforts have largely gone uncompensated. The proposal to utilize computing royalties to kick-start the Cali Fund has been met with enthusiasm from experts and advocates for Indigenous rights. "This is a game-changer," said Dr. Rodriguez. "By using computing royalties, we can create a sustainable source of funding for the Cali Fund, ensuring that it remains viable in the long term." The use of computing royalties to support biodiversity is not without precedent. In recent years, tech giants such as Google and Microsoft have established initiatives to utilize their profits to support conservation efforts. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the establishment of the Cali Fund and its potential funding through computing royalties serves as a timely reminder of the importance of recognizing and compensating Indigenous peoples for their contributions to modern society. Background: The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity established the Cali Fund in 2024 to provide a mechanism for corporations to compensate Indigenous communities for the use of genetic information derived from their lands. The fund aims to support biodiversity conservation efforts while acknowledging the rights and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert on biodiversity and conservation, noted that "the establishment of the Cali Fund is a crucial step towards recognizing the value of Indigenous knowledge and contributions to modern society." She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the fund is managed in a transparent and inclusive manner, with input from Indigenous communities. Current Status: The proposal to utilize computing royalties to kick-start the Cali Fund remains under consideration. Experts and advocates for Indigenous rights are urging corporations to contribute to the fund, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding mechanisms to support biodiversity conservation efforts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the establishment of the Cali Fund and its potential funding through computing royalties serves as a timely reminder of the importance of recognizing and compensating Indigenous peoples for their contributions to modern society. *Reporting by Nature.*