PROTECT

A warming and drying climate is connected to the increased frequency, severity and duration of extreme wildfire weather conditions in Australia.  And in the months leading up to Summer, Australian's are reminded of bushfire season and advised by government and community organisations to prepare. Generally, the recommendations are for people who live in bushfire prone areas to prepare their homes a...

The funeral industry is one that has remained largely unchanged with many people seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional burials or cremation. Current end of life practices can have a significant effect on the environment from energy use to greenhouse gases and soil pollution. So, one of the alternatives will be introduced by my guest today who is Katrina Spade, founder and CEO of the worl...

While oil and energy garner the bulk of attention for the climate crisis, there is another major culprit - the fashion industry that is responsible for 8 to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions. Impacts include water and plastic pollution and fashion is also a major human rights issue through fast fashion's unethical production. There is a lot of work to do for the industry to align with the Par...

Forget what you know about slimy seaweed washing up ashore as seaweed is now the fastest growing food in aqua culture.  Seaweed is in fact a nutritious superfood and a very clever and climate friendly plant with high carbon sequestering qualities.  Helping me explore the potential of the seaweed sector is Cam Hines, who is Owner and Co-Founder of Southern Seagreens who run regenerative commercial...

Mike Coots grew up on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The lifestyle fuelled his obsession with the ocean along with an aspiration to be a professional bodyboarder. When he was 18 years old, Mike and his teammates took to the water one morning looking to catch a wave at Majors Bay where Mike was almost killed by a Tiger Shark. Mike's survival instincts helped him paddle back to shore and with the hel...

Today we're taking an audio visit to Volcanoes Safaris where you can trek to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the forests of Rwanda and Uganda.  This once in a lifetime wildlife experience is as magical as it sounds and Volcanoes Safaris have been at the heart of reviving gorilla and chimpanzee tourism since 1997. I'm delighted to bring you my conversation with Volcanoes Safaris COO, Kevin...

Women in wildlife conservation just make sense and continue to demonstrate that they are key to protecting nature and their communities. Patrolling the critical areas of the Greater Krueger National Park is South Africa's first all-women anti-poaching unit, The Black Mambas. The Black Mambas are women who are selected, trained and deployed rangers which avoid a gun-first approach instead working t...

Many animal lovers will seek out wildlife encounters when they travel. Sometimes tourists are sold a once in a lifetime experience to pet a tiger cub, have breakfast with an orangutan or ride an elephant. But it's important to note that these experiences often have a dark side with animals in these venues subject to degrading entertainment, cruel training methods and horrendous living conditions –...

Have you been to or seen photos of the Arctic? It's unparalleled beauty with magnificent blue glaciers, maybe a whiskered seal moving through its crystal waters or a polar bear trekking across the ice. But this beautiful region is being challenged with temperatures in the Arctic rising faster than anywhere on Earth. The effects of climate change are seeing the tampering of weather, melting ice, ri...

Climate change is challenging our oceans ecosystems when it comes to seafood. We've got unsustainable fishing practices such as overfishing, bycatch, unethical fish farming and even microplastics but seafood has quite the market.  The Nature Conservancy reports that fish and other seafood products provide vital nutrients for more than three billion people around the globe and supply an income for...

Following a year of animal welfare campaigns, on the ground demonstrations, fundraisers, petitions and political briefings, World Animal Protection are celebrating some significant wins for 2023.  Today, I welcome back Ben Pearson who is World Animal Protection's Country Director Australia and New Zealand. Ben manages programmes for animals on farms and animals in the wild with a key campaign on w...

Earlier this year, Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales in Australia received more than a year's worth of rainfall in a week. One town, Gympie had its highest flood in over a century with over 1,000 properties completely submerged in water.  The Insurance Council has reported that the actual claims costs from 197,000 claims across both states is estimated to have cost $3.35 billion in...

In 2009, a documentary called The Cove was released to expose the not so secret annual capture and slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Today, 13 years on, animal activist groups continue to fight to close The Cove and its hellish hunt practice including Hannah Tait, CEO of Action for Dolphins who joins me on the podcast today. Hannah and I discuss the controversial drive hunt method of dolphins...

As the destruction of natural resources and the carbon emissions generated from the fossil fuel industry continue to accelerate climate change, we are all at risk of losing our lives and our land with our indigenous and frontline communities at the most vulnerable. Air pollution, temperature and sea level rise are wreaking havoc globally and in Australia, we unfortunately are moving at a poor pace...

Losing rainforests continues to wreak havoc on our climate and world leaders (yet again) have pledged to end deforestation. But waiting for policy makers is never the solution and today I sought to speak to someone who is doing ground work on reforestation.  I came across a brilliant charity, ReForest Now and am delighted to bring you my conversation with their CEO and Co-Founder, Maximo Bottaro ....

Aligning your your passion with meaningful change in the world is not an easy feat but it is definitely achievable as demonstrated by today's guest, Holly Budge . Holly is a working adventurer, an Everest summiteer (the first woman to skydive Everest) along with the founder and leader of international non profit, How Many Elephants and World Female Ranger Day to support female rangers in wildlife...

Today I am delighted to invite back Dr Leonardo Guida, Marine Biologist and Senior Shark Campaigner at Australian Marine Conservation Society. Leo discusses outdated culling technology and the recent whale net entanglements that have seen mainstream media provide coverage of this cruel and outdated "protection" system. He also reveals the physical distress and sometimes death that a shark will end...

Today I am delighted to invite back Lawrence Chlebeck, Marine Biologist and Senior Shark Campaigner at Humane Society International.  Lawrence reveals the reasons why shark nets are so ineffective as we discuss recent life-endangering net entanglements involving migrating whales and other marine life. He breaks down the outdated technology currently used in Australian waters and what we can do ins...

As travel borders begin to open across the globe, many of us have a new mindset post-pandemic - an environmental mindset as we couldn't deny that the slowing of transport and production industries and human activity during lockdowns saw the earth recover some of our damage. So when it comes to travel, how can we more more considerate of the environment when choosing our destinations, our method of...

Our planet depends on a future where sustainable design is prioritised. A single use economy has never made sense with human consumption of the earth's natural resources at an all-time high. So, every industry, including design has a responsibility to consider how they create: from material to production and ensuring high quality products with the longest, most sustainable life cycle.   So I'm del...

Lions. Commonly referenced as strong, powerful, and magnificent creatures are under threat. Alone, they cannot continue to roam through the African Savannah populating and living as they are entitled to. Numbers are dwindling with lions targeted by the bushmeat trade, loss of habitat and human encroachment. According to today's guest, lion numbers half halved in the last quarter century with an es...

Eco-anxiety, climate fear or climate grief are common terms used to define how as humans, many of us are responding to the ecological crisis.   It is well documented that climate change is having a negative effect on our health and mental well-being. It is important to recognise how we are feeling about the future of our planet and normalise these feelings.   Today, I'm welcoming climate therapist...

Today, a compelling film which documents Australia's outdated and ineffective shark protection program is out on Stan.  Directed and produced by Andre Borell, Envoy - Shark Cull explores the history of shark nets and drumlines (baited hooks) in Queensland and NSW. Through these so called "protection" means, sharks and other marine life are being unnecessarily and cruelly caught and culled through...

The global cosmetics industry alone produces over 120 billion units of packaging almost every year, which is non recyclable. Add to that animal testing, toxic ingredients, shipping, overproduction, and as a consumer, you can feel overwhelmed about making a positive purchase in this space. But you definitely can. Today, my guest brings encouragement and possibility on how her small beauty company g...

We are in the thick of a digital movement. Our screens are a core part of our daily lives and have served us well during the pandemic where the world was forced home and we sought to connect with loved ones, work colleagues, and even leaned on digital entertainment to help those lockdown days go a little faster. And there is no doubt that online activity will continue to rise. But at what cost to...