As biodiversity faces mounting risk from the explosion of H5N1 bird flu and climate change, can investing in nature-focused startups unlock new ways to safeguard our planet’s species and ecosystems?

On this episode of Climate on the Edge we’re joined by Tom Quigley, who discusses his unique journey from conservation biology to technology and eventually becoming a venture capitalist focusing on biodiversity. His experiences in field conservation then tech startups shaped his understanding of leveraging technology for conservation challenges. 

The conversation explores concepts of ecosystem services, biodiversity measurement, land-use change, and the interplay between technology and nature. Quigley emphasizes nature's resilience, existing initiatives for biodiversity protection, and the future of nature tech. 

He also shares personal reflections from his career working to support nature, and how he hopes to see much more of the finance world join the trend of investing in “nature-tech”. 

02:19 From Conservationist to Tech Enthusiast

07:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Nature Tech

11:41 Understanding Biodiversity and Its Importance

18:31 The Economic Value of Ecosystem Services

25:47 Complexity of Measuring Biodiversity

30:10 Nature as Humanity's Defense Against Climate Disaster

32:20 The Role of Mangroves in Storm Protection

33:24 Key Drivers of Biodiversity Loss

36:49 Understanding Zoonotic Diseases

42:12 Hopeful Solutions and Nature's Resilience

46:06 The Future of Nature Tech and Biodiversity Investments

54:56 Optimism for the Future

Episode Resources

Superorganism

Their blog

Book Review on ‘Legibility’

Bat Fungus Leads to Population Loss

‘Terrifying’ Article on H5N1’s Effect on Biodiversity

WWF Report

Sharkwater Documentary

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