The Lentil Intervention Podcast

Joining us for his second appearance on the show, Dr Jack Auty is a lecturer in the Medical Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of Tasmania. Jack leads research on the intricate connections between inflammation and disease. With a diverse array of interests, ranging from the impact of microplastics on lung and gut inflammation to the potential use of common anti-inflammatories in treating Alzheimer's disease, Jack's work is at the forefront of medical research.

If this is your first introduction to Dr Auty, please take time to listen to his first podcast episode with us here, as it will give you a more detailed background on his fascinating work to date. In this episode we focus in on Jack’s work with AdriftLab, where he’s been looking at wildlife impacted by microplastic exposure and the ability of plastic to directly induce severe, organ-wide scar tissue formation.

In this episode we discuss:

• Jack’s background and previous research
• Various hypotheses which may explain the rise in allergies
• The work of AdriftLab, led by the wonderful Dr Jennifer Lavers
• ‘Plasticosis’ – evidence for a new plastic-induced fibrotic disease
• The types of plastics commonly found in seabirds and the global marine plastic load
• Plastics, microplastics and their unique inflammatory potential
• How inflammation impacts the body and how plastic can make its way into cells throughout the body
• Potential implications of these findings for both humans and other wildlife
• The need for an interdisciplinary approach when researching pollution’s impact on wildlife and human health
• Identifying laboratory sources of microplastic and nanoplastic contamination
• Top tips for reducing plastic exposure in daily life
• Plastics as a delivery mechanism for a wide range of toxic chemicals
• Future research projects for Jack and AdriftLab
  
  

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Dr Neal Haddaway is a photojournalist and environmental photographer whose work highlights the damaging impacts of capitalism and unchecked economic growth. With a PhD in environmental science and a 20-year career in environmental research and academia, Neal boldly chose to transition his career to photography fuelled by a desire to inspire others visually and reconnect with his passion for environmental conservation.

Neal makes a strong argument for the importance of storytelling in science communication. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between science and public perception, recognising the significance of compelling narratives in driving positive change. Here we discuss his poignant photojournalism projects and publications, and the mental health toll on those working in environmental academia, and much more.

While many of the topics we cover are quite heavy, they are important to be aware of. Neal encourages us all not to look away, but rather to keep learning, keep broadening our understandings and keep engaging in discussions with others. Knowledge is power and serves as our armour against misinformation. It provides us with the tools to challenge falsehoods and build a better society and future for both people and the planet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Neal’s background and passion for the environment
• Neal’s motivation for pivoting to photography after 20 years in academia
• Communicating science via photography
• Persuasion and the importance of storytelling
• Mental health risks associated with climate research
• Project 'Hope?' And how to grieve for the planet
• Climate scientists and the pressure to be perfect
• Building systems of support for environmental scientists
• Climate anxiety as a Western concept
• Environmental crises due to our current economic, political and social systems
• The true cost of our food - the story of the salmon and the tomato
• Coal Scars – The long-term landscape trauma of our obsession with coal
• How we can be more effective advocates for the planet

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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And we’re back! Welcome to Season 5 of The Lentil Intervention Podcast. We are thrilled to be bringing you more insightful discussions, inspiring stories and scientific snapshots this year, and we are certainly kicking things off with a bang with our first guest, Max Romey.

Max is a phenomenal artist, filmmaker, producer, educator, trail runner and environmental advocate based in Anchorage, Alaska. Max uses his unique blend of watercolours and videography to highlight the complexities of environmental problems impacting both local and global communities.

We learn about Max’s background and inspiring outlook on life, as well as discuss his latest works which focus on the once pristine wilderness of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Unfortunately, even with its remoteness, the world’s rubbish problem has come knocking on Katmai’s shores. Even though the debris on Katmai might come from a world away, when it comes to ocean plastics we are all in the same boat, so this conversation with Max only serves to underscore the need for global action – no matter where we are located, we’ve all got a role to play.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Max’s background and love of painting
• Retracing his grandmother’s travels and artwork
• Communicating climate and environmental science through art
• Important considerations for impactful filmmaking and storytelling
• Max’s relationship with many of the world’s top trail runners
• Katmai National Park and its sizeable marine debris problem
• Max’s previous film No Lost Shoes and his upcoming release Footprints on Katmai
• The ocean’s oxygen factories (phytoplankton) and concerns with microplastics
• Inspiring behaviour change while living in an imperfect world
• Making a change by starting at home

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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We’ve reached the Season 4 finale of The Lentil Intervention podcast!
In our last episode for 2023, we sit down with podcast favourite Dr Mike Joy to recap the pressing environmental and climate concerns that have defined the past year. We also have a frank discussion about the necessary actions that can result in a better future for all. From climate change to degrowth, Dr Joy provides valuable insights and expertise that sheds light on the challenges our planet is currently facing, and he discusses concepts and principles that can help us transition towards a more sustainable future.

In a special segment, we address listener questions about effective environmental activism, where Mike lends his perspective on the actionable steps we can all take to make a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change and environmental disasters.

As we wrap up Season 4, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible listeners for joining us again this year. Your support fuels our passion for environmental and health advocacy and knowledge-sharing. We look forward to coming back for Season 5, where we will continue to explore new health and environment topics and amplify the voices of those inspiring positive change. To everyone in the TLI community, we wish you a safe and happy end of year, and we’ll be back - just after a little break.

In this episode, we cover:

• Mike’s research and achievements in the past year
• The carbon cycle, our net zero delusion and the impossibilities of offsetting
• The problems with green growth
• Understanding the concept of energy return on invested (EROI)
• Our multiple crises (it’s not just climate!) as a symptom of overshoot
• Our use of energy and the inevitability of Degrowth
• A reality check on renewables
• Lack of environmental truth and reality in mainstream media
• Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand
• An update on the nitrate levels in New Zealand’s freshwater
• Dr Mike answers Listener questions
• Taking action in 2024

Previous episodes:

• Dr Mike Joy, Freshwater Ecologist
• Dr Mike Joy, Growth, Emissions and Our Waterways
• Dr Mike Joy, Protecting Our Planet’s Life Support Networks
• Dr Mike Joy and The Rubbish Trip, Translating Science to Real-World Action

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Professor Ilan Noy is the Chair in Economics of Disasters and Climate Change - Te Āwhionukurangi, at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Ilan’s research and teaching focus on the economic aspects of natural hazards, disasters, climate change, and other related topics in environmental, development, and international economics. Ilan is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the SpringerNature journal Economics of Disasters and Climate Change. Having previously worked at the University of Hawai’i and consulting for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank (to name a few!), Ilan brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation.

Professor Noy recently co-authored an article, published in Nature Communications, assessing the global cost of extreme weather attributable to climate change. Their findings revealed that extreme events attributable to climate change cost the world US$143 billion per year, yet the loss and damage funding agreement arrived at from COP27 will only offer an average of US$10 billion a year – a drop in the bucket compared to what’s truly needed. Ilan unpacks the paper’s findings and much more in our conversation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ilan’s personal and professional background
• The diversity of topics that fall under the umbrella of the economics of disasters and climate change
• The driving force behind establishing the Journal Economics of Disasters and Climate Change
• Lack of consideration towards climate change in the field of economics
• The deficiencies of current assessment methods regarding the financial costs of climate change
• Considering the wide-ranging damage costs associated with climate change, as well as the costs associated with the loss of human life
• The need to reduce vulnerabilities and exposure to avoid increased costs associated with anthropogenic extreme weather events
• How economists attach a dollar value to human life
• Which countries and regions of the world feel the impact most
• The lack of economist engagement with the IPCC
• Changing the dialogue in future COPs
• Prioritising financial support where it’s truly needed

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Dr Luke Kelly is an Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology at the University of Melbourne, leading teams both locally and internationally. Luke studies the dynamics of plant and animal populations, educates about biodiversity and human well-being, and collaborates with diverse stakeholders to prevent species extinction.

With expertise in ecological and evolutionary dynamics, Luke recently led a team of researchers that assessed how human activities are reshaping patterns of fire across the globe. Some of the findings were quite surprising, with our planet now burning in unexpected ways. In this conversation we talk shop on fire fundamentals, key fire changes both globally and locally, and how we can coexist with fires in the Anthropocene, by moving forward and working together to generate ideas and solutions.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Luke’s scientific background and current research work
• The work of biodynamos, the Biodiversity Dynamics Research Group
• Fire as fundamental to human civilisation and the earth's systems
• Benefits and risks of fire for biodiversity and threatened species
• Luke’s recent paper Understanding Fire Regimes for a Better Anthropocene
• Surprising findings regarding global fire activity
• Fire regime changes in Australia, including an upward trend in mega-fires
• Key anthropogenic drivers of fire regime changes
• The consequences for humans, flora, and fauna due to changing fire regimes in Australia
• How we best move forward while living with fire in the Anthropocene, including practical recommendations for people in high-risk areas
• The importance of a proactive approach, rather than a reactive response
• How fire can help us achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
  
  To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.
  
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Peri Zee is an urban planner and sustainable transport professional working towards more inclusive and connected communities that are supported to live good lives within planetary boundaries. Peri is head of mobility at Pollock Consulting Limited and was previously the climate action pathway lead and healthy city design lead at Hutt City Council.

Peri covers some essential topics in this episode, discussing the concepts of planetary boundaries and degrowth, and the importance of public transport in connecting our communities while providing a pathway to a more sustainable future. Peri leaves us with some inspiring words about becoming our own changemakers – the more people that see the big picture and act on it, the greater the transformation will be, and there is a role for everyone.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Peri’s background and passion for a sustainable future
• The important concept of planetary boundaries
• How a degrowth approach could help us live within safe planetary boundaries
• The fallacy of green growth
• Acknowledging the importance of technology while adhering to degrowth principles
• Achieving an equitable transition to degrowth
• New Zealand’s public transport crisis
• Building community trust to ensure more successful public transport projects in future
• The importance of bike and footpaths, and public transport access in urban areas
• The sprawling cities of Australia and New Zealand vs the 15-minute city concept
•  ‘Keep cup smugness’ vs advocating for effective change individually and as a community

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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In this episode, we chat with running legend Damian Hall, a record-breaking ultramarathon runner and athletics coach who has represented Great Britain and continues to achieve competitive results in some of the world’s toughest and gruelling races.

Damian is an experienced journalist and author of several books, including the award-nominated We Can’t Run Away From This, which examines the impact of running on our climate and ecological emergency. Damian is also a passionate (and very busy!) climate activist, a member of several environmental organisations and initiatives, and co-founder of The Green Runners.

Damian inspires any climate-conscious runner and prompts us to seriously consider our kit, food, and travel. Moreover, Damian helps us all identify - whether we are athletes or not - simple changes we can make to our behaviour for a cleaner, greener world and future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Damian’s background and achievements in ultramarathon running
• What sparked Damian’s environmental activism
• Damian’s latest book We Can’t Run Away From This
• The surprising ecological impact of running
• Positive environmental initiatives within the trail-running space
• The Game Changer Sponsorship Pledge and walking your climate talk as an athlete
• Embracing imperfect climate advocacy and the inevitability of being a climate hypocrite
• The sustainability of large-scale sporting events
• The power of sports and athletes to influence and change society
• The Green Runners; A running community making changes for a fitter planet
• Establishing Into Ultra to reduce the barriers to participation in ultrarunning
• The importance of partaking in climate action for outdoor enthusiasts

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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In this episode, we discuss alternative protein with Dr Simon Eassom, Executive Director at Food Frontier, Australia and New Zealand’s independent think tank on alternative proteins.

Simon is an experienced leader, business executive, and strategic thinker and has had a distinguished career as a university professor with a Ph.D. in applied ethics and a background in health and nutrition as Head of a large university School of Physical Education and Sport Science. As a freelance investigative journalist, Simon was a regular media commentator on numerous issues, including the political economy of food and the public presentation of information and advice on diet and health. He has been an in-demand public speaker on technology and change and currently serves on the Board of the Australian Council of Professions as its Chief Futurist.

In this conversation, Simon brings his passion and knowledge to help us understand alternative proteins and their role in delivering a sustainable protein supply that supports people and the planet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Simon’s fascinating background and his work as Executive Director at Food Frontier
• Receptivity to alternative proteins in heavy meat-eating countries such as Australia and New Zealand and the target markets of the plant-based meat sector
• Alternative protein options, technological innovations, and challenges in meeting consumer demands
• Alternative proteins and health considerations – potential pros, cons, and misconceptions
• The current environmental impact of our global food system and the expected benefits of reducing meat consumption
• Animal welfare concerns associated with modern-day animal farming
• Feeding the world’s population; alternative proteins as a food security solution
• Alternative Proteins and Asia - market insights for Australian and New Zealand companies looking to Asia
• Food labelling for plant-based products
• Driving market change and shifting eating behaviours; Food Frontier’s Theory of Change
• Food Frontier’s upcoming AltProteins 23 Conference

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Emma Wingrove is a reuse specialist, passionate about bringing New Zealand to the forefront of sustainability and climate change solutions. In 2014, while undertaking her university degree, Emma established The Clean Up Crew Aotearoa, after identifying the hideously overlooked problem of litter and neglected beaches of the beautiful North Shore of Auckland. Thinking that someone should really address the problem, she realised that someone could be her.

From humble beginnings, the Clean up Crew continues to grow. Emma inspires hope for a better future by proving that one person can make a difference. Anybody can see a problem and start working towards fixing it - solutions don’t need vast acts of grandeur, just passion and determination!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Emma’s background from environmental science to zero waste
• Localised NZ and Auckland’s Zero Waste Hubs
• The scale of the plastic waste problem in New Zealand
• The source of beach rubbish found on New Zealand beaches
• Emma’s establishment of The Clean Up Crew Aotearoa
• Commonly found rubbish items littering Auckland’s shorelines, and how it gets there
• Advocacy and education work of The Clean Up Crew
• How to support The Clean Up Crew and get involved in their regular clean-ups
• Top tips for minimising personal waste

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Dr Kate Sievert is a Research Fellow at GLOBE at Deakin University with a special interest in power and politics with regard to food systems and their relationship with population and planetary health. Kate is also a co-founder of Healthy Food Systems Australia, an advocacy group dedicated to bettering food systems for all Australians and the land.

Dr Sievert was responsible for leading The World Health Organisation’s recent Information Brief titled Red and Processed Meat in the Context of Health and the Environment: Many Shades of Red and Green, which synthesized the current evidence on the role of red and processed meat production and consumption in health and environmental outcomes, and in different social and political contexts.

In this episode, we discuss this recent publication in addition to some of Kate’s other fascinating work regarding transparency within the food industry, corporate power, and political influence. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, so you may want to listen through it twice. However, one thing that Kate makes clear is that in transitioning to a sustainable food system we need to think more deeply than economics and consider concepts that are best for humans, animals, and the planet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Kate’s background and the path that led to her current research
• Kate’s work at the Global Centre for Preventative Health (GLOBE)
• Red and processed meat production and consumption trends
• Shifting meat consumption patterns – influences on consumer behaviour
• Meat consumption and nutritional adequacy versus potential health risks
• Zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance risks
• Food safety risks and food-borne diseases associated with animal-sourced foods
• Key environmental concerns associated with red and processed meats
• Practicalities of feeding the world with regenerative farming methods
• Potential alternatives to red and processed meats in the diet
• The consideration of sustainability in food-based dietary guidelines
• The power of the food industry, links to government, and consequent impact on policymaking
• Media framing and meat consumption – who has a beef with reducing red and processed meat consumption
• Changes needed to achieve sustainable food systems

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Deirdre Kent is a long-time environmental activist with a background in teaching, campaigning, and lobbying and is also a prolific author, having written six books. Deirdre has been involved in numerous research and political campaigning efforts and has established various organisations such as Transition Town Ōtaki, the Ōtaki Timebank and The New Economics Party.

Being involved in green economics for many years, Deirdre has most recently co-founded Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand and talks extensively about various economic concepts, currency design, money and the environment on her website. Not only that, Deirdre is an ardent supporter of a whole food plant-based diet for the associated environmental and health benefits and speaks passionately on this subject.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Deirdre’s diverse background
• Spearheading Transition Town Ōtaki and The Ōtaki Timebank
• The Degrowth movement in New Zealand and establishing Degrowth Aotearoa
• Championing change towards degrowth economic principles
• Tradable energy quotas vs Emission trading schemes
• Potential benefits of Tradable Energy Quotas
• The importance of considering dietary choices as an environmentalist
• The dairy industry in New Zealand
• Tips for effective lobbying and the importance of visual mediums

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Dr Jennifer Lavers is an Indigenous scientist and seabirds and plastic pollution expert, working as a Healthy Country Plan Coordinator for the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) and as the coordinator of Adrift Lab.

Jennell Reynolds is a community engagement officer and previous Tjaltjraak Ranger, also with ETNTAC. Kepa Kurl Wudjari Peoples' ancestral lands span over 30,000 square kilometres of Southern Western Australia, encompassing Esperance and beyond. Kepa Kurl Wudjari people are descended from seven apical ancestors, of which Jennell is recognised as a direct descendant, having the rights and responsibility for the practice of Wudjari Nyungar culture and for passing it on to future generations.

Here we learn about the critical work of ETNTAC and how they preserve culture and care for country in this modern age of science and technology. Australia’s First Nations people are the original scientists, land managers, engineers, ecologists and so much more, drawing on 50,000 years’ worth of knowledge. In the face of our current climate and environmental emergencies, we learn the importance of respecting and honouring the past in guiding us towards a better future.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jenn’s background and work with Adrift Lab and the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC)
• Jennell’s work with ETNTAC as a community engagement officer and ranger
• Importance and purpose of Registered Native Title Bodies Corporations (RNTBCs)
• Cultural history, significance, and unique beauty of Esperance area/Wudjari Nyungar country
• Honouring 50,000 years’ worth of Indigenous knowledge and science
• How ETNTAC blends modern technology and research with knowledge from Australia’s first scientists
• The pros and cons of technology for preserving culture
• The need for long-lasting relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations within science, industry and governments
• ETNTAC’s statement regarding the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021
• What we can all learn from 50,000 years of caring for country
• Reconnection to place and country – when we belong to something we take care of it.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Sahra Kress is a committee member of Degrowth Aotearoa NZ and comes to this conversation about degrowth drawing passionately from her position as a midwife, deeply concerned about the future of the children she delivers.

Sahra has spent years working at the interface of social, cultural, and environmental complexity. Her work includes 18 years of Lead Maternity Practice, regular emergency skills teaching in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea and leading a research study on family planning in the Solomon Islands.

Unable to continue flying due to the obvious environmental impacts, she felt her work needed to focus locally and expand from protecting mothers and their children to advocating for nature and collective wellbeing within ecological limits. In this conversation, Sahra argues passionately for the benefits of Degrowth and the need to rediscover what it means to truly lead a meaningful life – going far beyond our materialistic 21st-century thinking.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sahra’s fascinating background and her experience midwifing in Aotearoa and overseas
• Degrowth Aotearoa NZ (DANZ)
• Degrowth 101 – definitions, common misconceptions, and the concept of throughput
• Shifting mindsets and societal values for systemic change
• The concepts and goals of DANZ
• Degrowth community action and fostering a collectivism mindset
• Changes required in industrialised nations vs developing nations
• Getting degrowth into the national conversation
• The upcoming DANZ conference

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Nathan Surendran is a Transition Engineer and principal consultant at Schema Consulting Limited, bringing with him an extensive knowledge of macro-scale systems and risks, and synthesising economic, energetic, and environmental factors.

Nathan is an active member of Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand and passionately advocates for realistic, fact-based strategic decisions on issues of resilience and strong sustainability across all levels. Here Nathan helps bring much-needed understanding to some key concepts around energy efficiency and limits, degrowth, renewables and so much more!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Nathan’s background and his work as a transition engineer
• Biophysical constraints vs wishful thinking
• Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand and their advocacy work
• Degrowth 101 – what is degrowth?
• The challenges and limitations of green growth
• The concept of net energy, and its decrease over time
• The impact of renewables on total energy consumption
• Are renewable energy technologies truly renewable or scalable?
• Promoting and transitioning to a degrowth paradigm in Western societies
• Percentage growth rates and the rule of 70
• Taking action: Community level resilience and the fallacy of individual self-sufficiency

Nathan has also generously provided links to his ‘Distributed Energy Generation in Southland’ presentation and his recent submission to a draft regional energy strategy if you are keen to dig deeper into the facts, figures and scientific concepts mentioned in this episode.

Further resources mentioned by Nathan in this episode:

• To Catch The Rain
• To Catch The Sun

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Sarah Bekessy is a Professor in Sustainability at RMIT University and a Lead Councillor of The Biodiversity Council. Sarah leads the ICON science research group, working to understand better and manage the interactions between society and our natural environment.

A leading expert in biodiversity-sensitive urban design, Professor Bekessy co-developed the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design protocol, which has now been used by numerous developers, governments and NGOs, helping us work towards cleaner, greener more biodiverse cities.  Amid this biodiversity crisis, and with ever-expanding urban areas, the pressures on nature and biodiversity are immense. But here Sarah shows us how cities can actually be part of the solution in sustaining species—an essential and timely chat.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Sarah’s extensive background in biodiversity and sustainability
• The gradual decline of biodiversity in cities around Australia
• The benefits of urban greening, but the need to consider biodiversity while doing so 
• The fundamental flaws of using offsets as an approach to biodiversity
• How many cities are actually hotspots for threatened species
• Sustainable midrise housing as a way forward in urban areas
• Urban growth boundaries and nature corridors
• Equitable access to green spaces within cities
• Indigenous-led biodiversity projects within urban areas
• Sarah’s involvement with Biodiversity Council and Bush Heritage Australia
• The need for reliable green building codes
• 10 easy ways we can all act for nature and help biodiversity

Find the Biodiversity Council’s factsheet on the impact of roaming pet cats on Australian wildlife here.  A must-read for any cat owner!

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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John Berry is Co-Founder, CEO and Resident Wayfinder at Pathfinder Asset Management. John also serves as a Trustee for Men’s Health Trust New Zealand and an advisory board member of The Mind Lab. John is committed to making ethical investment accessible to all NZ investors.

But dive a little deeper into the subjective world of ethical investing and you can soon find yourself trying to navigate a minefield of myths, misconceptions, and greenwashing. So, in this conversation, John breaks it down for us and talks about positive investing for a positive future, and how we can use our hard-earned cash to create a better world.

In this episode, we discuss:

• John’s background and involvement in Men’s Health Trust NZ
• Giving power to the consumer by using money as a tool for good
• The development of ethical Investing and ESG
• Steps for assessing the ethical stance of businesses in an ever-complex world
• Understanding ethical certifications like ‘B Corp’, ‘social enterprise’ etc
• Easier ways to find investments that match your value sets
• The purpose of a company – profit vs purpose?
• How the concept of degrowth relates to ethical investing
• Pathfinder’s point of difference including their charitable giving

The Banking on Climate Chaos report was mentioned in this episode while discussing fossil fuel financing and investing– find the latest report here.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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Shaun Lee is an Auckland-based designer, illustrator and photographer. Shaun started his career as a web designer and then co-founded Auckland’s foremost business-to-business design studio. Shaun now only works on environmental initiatives and has dedicated his life to improving the state of the planet. A true eco-warrior in every sense.

His environmental advocacy work is extensive and varied, including serving as Co-Founder and Trustee of Revive Our Gulf, New Zealand’s only large-scale, active marine restoration initiative. In this conversation, Shaun shines a light on the damage done to the Hauraki Gulf, and the causes, and also discusses the ambitious plans of Revive our Gulf for large-scale restoration of the area.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Shaun’s background and passion for saving the planet!
• Shaun’s creative advocacy work including MOST New Zealand and NZ Tracker
• The importance of visual mediums in communicating climate concerns
• The water quality degradation and ecosystem decline of the Hauraki Gulf
  • The current state of the water quality
  • What’s contributing to the Gulf’s decline
  • Green-lipped mussels fishery collapse
  • Impacts of trawling and dredging on marine life
  • Bottom trawling and sediment plumes
  • The potential for dead zones within the Gulf
  • Scientific trawling conducted by fisheries in New Zealand
• Revive our Gulf – restoring the mussel reefs that once dominated the Hauraki Gulf
• The benefits and logistics of ‘re-musseling’
• How listeners can get involved in active restoration

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Chloe Price is a freshwater ecologist and environmental scientist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. Chloe has an interdisciplinary academic and professional background in freshwater and terrestrial ecology and is passionate about ecological restoration and regeneration, catchment enhancement, and fostering collaboration within and between communities.

Outside of her day job Chloe is also a member of Project Blue, a New Zealand not-for-profit organisation with the purpose of raising awareness of the harms of plastic pollution on our environment and the failures of Western recycling systems. Chloe brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this fascinating chat and leaves us with examples of actions we can all take to help make this world a little cleaner and greener.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Chloe’s background and passion for environmentalism
• Biodiversity offsets and the true effectiveness of these measures
• The main causes of degradation to New Zealand’s waterways
• Project Blue, their mission to reduce the harms of plastic pollution and their recent documentary ‘For The Blue’
• Limitations of current recycling systems
• The enormous scale of our rubbish problem, resulting in the offshore processing of waste
• Community engagement, education, and advocacy for driving effective change
• Environmental restoration projects and how to get involved

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

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Dr Emily Flies is an award-winning science communicator and researcher in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Tasmania.  Emily has co-founded two successful Science in the Pub non-profit organisations (in Adelaide and Hobart), is the founder and director of Tasmania's Inspiring Women in STEMM Fellowship Program and co-leads the Healthy Landscapes research group at UTAS.

As a health ecologist, Emily blends field, molecular and statistical techniques to understand how the environment shapes human health, particularly the health benefits of engaging with biodiverse natural habitats. Emily brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation, including some practical pointers on how we can all reap the benefits of immersing in, protecting and restoring the natural world.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Emily’s impressive background and a keen interest in the health benefits of nature exposure
• The profound importance of a biodiverse environment
• Biodiversity concerns in Australia and New Zealand
• Australia’s Strategy for Nature: Australia’s national biodiversity strategy and action plan
• Managing and connecting with nature in both urban and rural environments
• How and why immersing in nature supports our mental and physical health
• Biodiverse environments, the human microbiome and immune function
• Benefits of participating in ecological restoration programs
• Backyard Biodiversity: How to make your backyard more biodiverse

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.