Re-examining the City Through Biodiversity: Ecological Lessons for Global Megacities from a Shanghai Documentary

Detailed summary

At the recently concluded 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, a special screening event—jointly presented by the…

SHANGHAI, Nov. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the recently concluded 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, a special screening event—jointly presented by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment and Shanghai Media Group—focused on urban ecological governance and prompted deep reflection among the international delegates in attendance. The nature and human-interest documentary My City Neighbours transcends national borders, presenting the world with a "Shanghai solution"—a model for how a megacity can coexist in harmony with nature.

At the heart of this insight is the documentary My City Neighbours, which has already won The Telly Awards on the international stage. Unlike many works focused on environmental themes, this film eschews grand narratives; instead, it employs an innovative approach—blending professional expertise with a grounded, everyday perspective—to cast a spotlight on the wildlife inhabiting the intricate, fine-grained corners of the urban landscape.

During a screening event at COP17, Yu Ying, director of My City Neighbours, hosted a discussion with Professor Wang Fang from Fudan University and Dr. Zhao Xi, a member of his research team, shedding light on the "Shanghai mechanism" behind the documentary.

Yu Ying shared at the event: "Although the biodiversity issue is grand, it ultimately concerns the fate of all mankind. How to connect seemingly profound scientific concepts with ordinary people and bring them to the public is an extremely important part of the process." She pointed out that whether this film can truly reach the public eye stems from the top-level planning of the producer, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment; the visual storytelling of the producer, Shanghai Media Group (SMG); the rigorous support of research institutions; and the cross-sector participation of public figures.

In this mechanism, public figures have become a key bridge for…

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