Life on Planet A

In this episode, Heidi interviews Nehal from After and how After is tackling textile waste. . Every year, Australians send over 200,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill, and globally, the fashion industry is responsible for 92 million tonnes of waste annually. Most of it is made from synthetic fibers that take hundreds of years to break down, polluting our land and oceans with microplastics.That's where after. comes in. after. is an Australian platform revolutionizing textile recycling and responsible disposal by connecting consumers and businesses with sustainable solutions for unwanted clothing and fabric waste. Whether it's through recycling, repurposing, or ethical disposal, after. is working to keep textiles out of landfill and in the circular economy. Since its launch, they've already diverted over 30 tonnes of textiles from waste—proving that small actions can lead to big impact.In this episode, we sit down with Nehal J., co-founder of after., to talk about the urgent problem of textile waste, the barriers to sustainable fashion, and how we can all be part of the solution. As well, Nehal gives us advice about how to start your own company on problems that you care about.Let's rethink waste, reshape industries, and reimagine a more sustainable future—together.#Sustainability #LifeOnPlanetA #TextileRecycling #CircularEconomy #SustainableFashionSupport the show

Join us in this captivating episode as we explore the remarkable journey Erchana Murray-Bartlett, an athlete and environmental advocate who ran across Australia for a cause. Erchana started her 5 and a half month journey in August 2022 and finished in January 2023. Discover how her sporting background shaped her passion for the environment and the inception of her 'Running to End Extinction' campaign. Erchana shares personal experiences connecting her with Australia's wildlife, the challenges and triumphs of her journey, and her collaboration with the Wilderness Society.Erchana reveals her motivations, wildlife encounters, emotional moments, and how she managed to stay injury-free. Looking ahead, Erchana discusses her next daunting challenge in Death Valley and her continued efforts in conservation.This episode is a blend of inspiration, endurance, and a deep love for nature, as Erchana shares her vision for preserving biodiversity and her message of hope through her adventures. Tune in for a story of determination and the power of one person's efforts to make a difference.Learn more about Erchana here.Time stamps:3:00 - Who is Erchana?8:30 - Combining forces to create Tip to Toe11:10 - Pitching to clients14:50 - Crashing a drone19:00 - Avoiding getting injured21:00 - Wilderness Society30:00 - Trail runs39:00 - Speed projectSupport the show

Dive deep into the world of climate tech funding with Annelieke de Wit, PhD, and Joey Faust in this insightful episode of Life on Planet A. Discover why climate tech is unique, its challenges, and potential solutions. Learn about the Australian and NZ context, the role of government, and the power of collaboration. Timestamps included for key topics. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more! Link to their journey - https://fundinginnovationinclimatetech.substack.com/0:00 - Joey and Annelieke's favourite thing in the world6:15 - Joey and Annelieke's backgrounds 10:50 - Defining climate tech18:50 - Examples of climate tech20:05 - Really smart thing from Annelieke21:18 - Fund return timelines23:28 - The challenges of fundraising / what do VC's really care about?28:40 - Impact locked definition 33:12 - Climate Tech landscape37:51- The Climate Narrative44:00 - Role of government in innovation47:00 Collaboration between Climate tech firms51:00 - Australian and NZ context59:07 - Indigenous knowledgeSupport the show

In this enlightening episode, we're joined by a very special guest, Jae Lubberink from the Blueprint Institute. We dive into a compelling conversation about Australia's energy policies, nuclear energy prospects, public private policy, policy and tech the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The future of sustainable agriculture and design with Orlando Hayes  In this episode, we sit down with Orlando Hayes to unpack his groundbreaking work with CH4 Global and the award-winning Camada daybed. Orlando sheds light on CH4 Global's mission, their focus on designing sustainable facilities, and the vital role of seaweed to reduce methane in agriculture. You may have heard of feeding seaweed to cows in the news, this episode is a first hand look into what's happening in the industry and what sustainability initiatives need to be considered! We also delve into the world of sustainable furniture design, exploring the inspiration and intricate considerations behind the Camada daybed—a testament to the perfect balance of aesthetics and sustainability. Join us for this deep dive into the world of conscious design, environmental stewardship, and the future of sustainability in both infrastructure, agriculture and everyday objects.This podcast was recorded and produced by CORSZA.Support the show

Delve into the intriguing world of deep sea mining and the complex negotiations surrounding it, with our guest Emily Tewes,  from Sustainable Ocean Alliance.   Join Life on Planet A as we plunge beneath the waves to uncover the untold stories of the International Seabed Authority,(ISA) the international body overseeing deep sea mining regulations.In episode,  we spotlight the compelling stories of nations that are championing a call for moratorium in deep sea mining. With climate change accelerating and concerns about environmental impacts mounting, countries are raising crucial questions about the sustainability of this nascent industry. Time Stamps:10:00 - SOA campaign to #DefendtheDeep and #StopDeepSeaMining12:28 - Background on ISA14:25 - Biases in ISA20:00 - Exploration licenses23:00 - Discussion on how ISA gives licenses to mine29:00 - Moratorium on DSM30:00 - Meetings in July46:00 - SOA at the ISA meetings54:00 - Meaning of Life to EmilySupport the show

 In this episode, we are joined by Juliet Kirby, the CEO of Gentoo.Earth, a carbon removal intelligence platform. We will explore the ins and outs of carbon credits, providing you with valuable insights on how to navigate the complex landscape of carbon markets and make informed choices when purchasing offsets. We will discover what it truly means to be a quality offset.Juliet provides share her extensive knowledge and experience, shedding light on the importance of high-quality offsets and their role in mitigating climate change. Whether you're an individual looking to offset your personal carbon footprint or a business aiming to become net zero, this podcast episode will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions in the world of carbon credits. If you are looking to purchase good quality offsets please reach out to Juliet.Juliet Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-kirby/Website: https://www.gentoo.earth/Timestamps:0:00 - Intro to Juliet5:57 - Carbon Markets9:36 - Types of carbon credits14:00 - Additionally 17:20 - Quality19:44 - Carbon removal technologies28:00 - Green washing35:00 - Chubb review38:00 - Bad carbon credit practices40:00 - Good carbon credit practices42:30 - Who is Gentoo.Earth?Support the show

Imagine you could eat a marbled eye-fillet steak, with the omega 3 of a salmon fillet with the smoky taste of woolly mammoth... AND no animals were harmed in the process and the meat was 98% more carbon efficient than native meat, with no paddocks involved.  Sounds like a dream right?  This could very soon be an exciting reality thanks to the team at Vow.  Vow is a Sydney-based start-up that is creating cultured meat with the aim to make sustainable food both irresistible and available to billions of people.We were joined by Vow expert and process development associate, Sam Rathbone for our first ever in-person interview! And we couldn't have found a better guest;  we had so much fun and laughs recording this episode so we hope you have just as much learning and listening to it. Why cultured meat?Feed 10 billion: Our future population needs 50% more food than we're able to produce today. We need reliable production methods that give us security and control.Preserve the earth: Today's food system places a heavy burden on our environment and has led to increased deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and land and water pollution and decreased biodiversity.  We need an alternative.Human and animal welfare: humans need protein to survive but current methods of accessing protein are intensive on Earth's resources and have led to human and animal rights issues. Every year trillions of animals suffer to meet our protein demands and this will only increase as the global population rises. We need a more efficient means of accessing protein that does not harm animals or the environment.This is where Vow comes in.  Vow is not only creating cultured meat, but revolutionising the way we think of meat. Just 4 species (0.02% of all species) make up almost all of our food. What are the odds there are better (tastier, healthier, etc.) animals out there? Removing the need to paddocks, fields and domestication means Vow is free to explore all kinds of meat options.What if we could eat unicorn:  narwhal crossed with zebra?Vow scientists only need a handful of cells and 6 weeks to produce a delicious finished product which means no animals need to be bred and killed.Useful links:About VowVow Careers - they're hiring!Watch co-founder and CEO, George Peppou on TEDx TalksVow featured on Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2022Listen to Vow co-founder and CEO, George Peppou on Ep 246 of Humans of Purpose podcast.Timestamps:2:00 - Background on Sam Rathbone10:00 - NeuraLink and becoming a robot12:00 Getting a job at Vow via hinge?!14:00 - Intro to Vow19:00  - How is Vow cultured meat created?25:00 - What does Vow taste like?29:00 - Vow co-existing with argiculture - how will this work?35:00 - Vow, the supply chain and carbon emissions 43:00 - Hybrid meats at Vow44:00 - Getting Vow to market - how long until we're eating cultured meat in Aus? And how can you help speed up the process?50:00 - The meaning of lifeSupport the show

How healthy is pet food? What if you could give your pet food that was good for them AND good for the planet? Well... you can, thanks to the team at Lyka.This episode we'll stepping into the paws of our canine companions to learn about how we can improve their diet and the planet with Lyka. We'll be on this journey with this week's guest: Gabriel Guedes, COO and CFO at Lyka. About Lyka:Lyka is Australia's only carbon NEGATIVE dog food! All emissions are offset through Green Fleet, the first Aussie carbon offsetter. In 2018, founder Anna (Gabriels partner),  went on a journey to improve her dog Lyka's health. Anna put diet on a homemade diet of fresh, wholefood ingredients and the results were fantastic."Lyka's transformation was incredible and noticeable within weeks. Not only was Lyka more energetic, but her coat was also glossier, and her skin was also no longer itchy. Even her tooth decay reversed. As a bonus, Anna also noticed her poo didn't smell anymore and Lyka's frequent passing wind had ceased completely."Team Lyka is a group of ambitious and like-minded dog-lovers with a shared single goal: to serve you and your pupper with the best possible food on the planet (and give our office dogs endless belly rubs.)Useful links:Check out the Lyka websiteRead more about the Lyka storyLearn more about Lyka's carbon offsets with Green FleetCheck out Lyka's interactive breakdown of their scope 1, 2 and emissions hereCheck out a review of Lyka dog food with more info about the nutritional valueTime Stamps:0:00 - Introduction7:00 - Introduction to Gigi10:00 - The story of Lyka14:00 - What is pet food actually made of?17:00 - What s the most popular pet food?21:00 -  Sustainability and Lyka28:00 Experimenting with meats34:00 Biodegradable versus Compostable? 40:00 Lyka packagingSupport the showSupport the show

Ep 1 for our theme on Great Global Start-Ups! out from life on planet A! To kick this off we've travelled to the great USA to speak with Zach Stein, co-founder of Carbon Collective. Zach is a wealth of knowledge which is helpful when running a start-up all about investing! Carbon collective helps American citizens to invest their money into stocks and companies that are working to solve climate change or helping the planet to reach net zero. Useful links:- Carbon collective website- Sustainable investing 101Time Stamps:0:00 - Introduction5:00 - Introduction to Zach Stain7:28 - What is an equity fund?9:09 - Why did Carbon Collective start?16:00 - Challenges at Carbon Collective19:00 - Green Washing26:01 - Project Drawdown30:00 - Nuclear42:00 - Hold or to sell?Support the show

NEW EPISODE NOW UP: Part 3 of our epic journey across the vast and expansive Pacific. This week we'll hear about traditional knowledge in the Pacific and how it can aid us in managing te environment. Our guest was the inspiring, Salanieta Kitolelei. You'll learn:- what it's like fishing with indigenous groups in Fiji? (A crucial part of Sala's research!) - different fishing methods - cultural keystone species - the relationship between government and indigenous groups in FijiSome extra information from the Episode:Traditional Fijian calendar:https://fijiantraditionalcalendar.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-fijian-itaukei-traditional-lunar.htmlBackground on Sala: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Salanieta-KitoleleiInformation on island mangroves and crabs: http://coraltriangle.blogs.panda.org/seareefs/mali-island-mangroves-and-crabsSupport the show

What does renewable energy look like in the Pacific? What more needs to be done to help these nations in the transition? Join us with our captain, Associate Professor Atul Raturi  as we take a virtual flight over the Pacific. We'll learn the good, the bad and the hopeful for renewable energy in this beautiful region. You'll learn:How much of the Pacific is currently powered by renewable energy?What are the challenges to increasing this amount?Is the Global North doing enough?What is a CDM and CER? How are they helping or hindering this process?Atul is an Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Physics at The University of the South Pacific, Fiji. You can learn more about his passion and work here.Support the show

Let's take a deep dive into life in the Pacific with Fijian researcher and environmental advocate, Danian Singh.  We're kicking off Pacific Islands month with a virtual trip to Fiji where we'll learn from Danian about fish and climate change, resilience and adaptation to climate change in the Pacific and the exciting opportunities the world has to embrace and amplify Pacific Islands voices and perspectives.  You'll learn:About Sustainable Ocean Alliance Pacific Hub: the SOA Hub for all things Pacific What are the biggest threats to the Pacific?What does climate policy look like in the Pacific? Is the community happy with current policies?What have we learnt from the Our Ocean Conference in Palau this year?What are we hoping to see at the UN Ocean Conference in July?Useful links:Follow SOA Pacific on Facebook (@soapacifichub) and Instagram (@soa_pacifichub)Learn more about the upcoming UN Ocean ConferenceLearn more about what happened at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau in AprilSupport the show

AUSSIES, it's TIME TO VOTE. But the big questions on everyone's mind is: who to vote for? And why? This week Heidi spoke to Blair Palese, Managing Director & Global Climate Editor, Climate & Capital Media. You'll learn:- the independent movement in Australia - the risks of Australia not meeting  the climate goals- who is on track to help us meet our climate goals Tune in before you have to vote on May 21st, 2022, to learn more about the Australia parties and what they stand for.#australianpolitics #climatechangepolicy #labour #liberal #greens #independentsSupport the show

This week we're transporting you to the lush, wandering hills and palm tree horizons of Papua New Guinea. Here, we'll discover some tiny freshwater fish ponds that are providing huge social and economic benefits to the local communities. All of this amazing work is made possible by our guest Associate Professor Jes Sammut and his teams and collegues at the University of New South Wales, ACIAR, ANSTO and the Papua New Guinean National Fisheries Authority (NFA). You'll learn:What does freshwater fish farming in PNG look like? How are fish ponds putting an end to violence and tribal warfare?How prisoners are learning to farm fish and the huge change this is making in their lives.Acroynyms used in the episode:PNG = Papua New GuineaACIAR = Australian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchANSTO =  Australian Nuclear Science and Technology OrganisationNFA = Papua New Guinean National Fisheries AuthorityUseful links:Watch this video to learn how aquaculture is changing lives in PNG - Heidi and I watched many many times!!Learn more about the Fish for Prisons ProgramBuilding research and project management skills in fisheries in staff in Papua New Guinea - Final Report by Janelle AllisonRead about the 2017 training program led by Professor Janelle Alison and UTAS that enabled fisheries officers to gain critical research skills.  Read more of Jes' researchKeep up to date with the work of Jes and his team at the UNSW Aquaculture Research Group by following their Facebook pageSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

You're 75 miles offshore of the Big Island in Hawaii in a floating sphere and you're surrounded by 2,000 of your friends. That's what life is like as a Kampachi fish in Ocean Era's offshore aquaculture fish pen (Velella Beta/Gamma/Epsilon). This week Heidi and Bella spoke with Neil Sims, co-founder and chief executive officer of Ocean Era - a Hawaii-based mariculture company focused on expanding the environmentally sound production of the ocean's finest fish.You'll learn:What is offshore aquaculture? How is it different to land based aquaculture (hint: decreased electricity usage, better flow of nutrients)What is a Velella?What are fish currently fed in aquaculture? How can we make this more sustainableMore talk about seaweed! (can you ever have too much?)Useful links:Read more about Ocean Era's research projectsTIME Magazine's “25 Best Inventions of the Year” for 2012Scientific paper discussed at the start of the episode: Farming the Ocean – Seaweeds as a Quick Fix for the Climate? by Troell et al. 2022Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Imagine you're Larry the cow and you're uncontrollably burping methane into the atmosphere each day. It's not your fault, its all the good bacteria in your microbiome just doing their thing. But what if eating just 50g of a little red seaweed could change all that? This week Heidi and Bella speak with Dr Javed Khan, the Aquaculture Manager for CH4 in New Zealand to learn all about Asparagopsis aramata, the little red seaweed making a big difference. CH4's goal is for agriculture to have zero methane emissions.You'll learn:What is Asparagopsis?How can it stop the production of methane in ruminant animals? What is a ruminant animal?More fun facts about sea cucumbers (Bella tries to talk about them every chance she gets)Thanks so much for joining us Javed, we can't wait to dive with you in NZ soon!Useful links:Learn more about CH4 GlobalLinks to many more articles on methane reduction using seaweedA video all about CH4's journey and missionLearn more about the global exploitation of sea cucumbersSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

For March we're turning away from farming the land for a journey out to sea to discuss aquaculture!!  This week, Heidi and Bella spoke with Thierry Chopin; presently Professor of Marine Biology at the University of New Brunswick. Dr. Chopin's research focuses on the ecophysiology, biochemistry and cultivation of seaweeds of commercial value and the development of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems for environmental and economic sustainability.Thierry focuses his research on IMTA and spends his time working for his start up Turquoise Revolution.  IMTA  is a practice in which the by-products (wastes) from one species are recycled to become inputs (fertilizers, food) for another. We also learn about how Thierry is brewing his own seaweed beer!Useful links:About Thierry Chopin Thierry's start up: Turquoise Revolution Learn about IMTASeaweed Beer introductionSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Get ready to have your tastebuds tingling and mouth watering in our most delicious episode yet! This week, Heidi and Bella spoke with Craig Squire; renowned chef, owner of Ochre Restaurant and Aussie bush food connoisseur. For our last week on sustainable agriculture we're learning  about the last stop from paddock to plate: restaurants. Ochre restaurant celebrates Australia's native flora and fauna by using them in innovative and delicious ways (think wattle seed pavlova, lemon myrtle-infused chilli sauce, quandong glaze and smoked kangaroo... mouth watering yet? It will be!Useful links:About Ochre RestaurantBush food at OchreThe Aus Gov and Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation 2009 report:  Health Benefits of Australian Native Foods Paper: Native Australian fruits — a novel source of antioxidants for food, Netzel et al. (2007).More info about the crocodile farms in North QueenslandSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

For Ep2 of Regenerative Farming month Heidi and Bella are taking you on a virtual road-trip to Brookfarm in the hinterlands of Byron Bay - think birds tweeting, owls hooting and juicy macadamies falling softly to the ground. We're speaking with Will Brook, CEO of Brookfarm and member of the Book family, about how the family has restored the land to its native sub-tropical rainforest and made sustainable choices in every aspect of their journey.You'll learn:What is regenerative farming to Brookfarm?How can farms control pests without pesticides?What is Roll 'N' Recycle and why you should be excited for itCan I walk through the rainforest, learn about regenerative agriculture and sip GnT? (YES)Extra links:Visit the Cape Byron Distillery to sip gin and explore the rainforestBefore and after photos of Brookfarm (1980 to now)Buy Brookfarm products at your local Harris Farm, IGA or online.Learn more about Brookfarm's Roll 'N' Recycle initiativeSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

We're back baby and with a brand NEW THEME song written by local creative genius, Joseph Smallman. Listen to it on replay and let us know what you think @lifeonplanetapodcast Joseph Smallman is a local musician and filmmaker who produces a variety of content for both commercial use and entertainment. With an idiosyncratic style and creative approach, Joseph creates unique original works with a smile and makes sure he is proud of every project he works on. Find Joe on Youtube @joesmallman Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Starting 2022 with a loud MOOOO, we'll be hearing from Tim Wright, holistic and regenerative farmer at Lana Farm in the northern Tablelands of NSW. Over 95% of Tim's farm is in constant recovery mode, meaning that the land has time to heal and regenerate. Despite being a cattle and sheep farm, Lana farm is carbon negative! How is this possible? Listen to find out... You'll learn:What is holistic farming (why don't we say wholistic?) How are oranges involved?What is natural capital accounting? How is this useful to farmers?What are carbon credits? What are biodiversity credits?Are these realistic and practical measurements?Extra links:Volunteer at Lana FarmFarm Online article feat. Tim, about natural capital accounting on farmsTED Talk from Alan Savoury, the father of holistic farmingThe Australian Gov's Carbon + Biodiversity PilotABC article about carbon credits and their role in Australia's emissions reduction planSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

For our final week of climate change Heidi and Bella take a dive underwater with Dr Alex Campbell to see whether there's a blue solution to the climate crisis and... there is!  Seaweed and seagrass could be an unlikely hero in the battle against climatic change and not just because of carbon storage;  this slimy macroalgae is used in food, make-up, plastic-alternatives and so much more.  Through the work of research centres such as the USC Seaweed Research Group, we've found countless applications for seaweeds!  What you'll learn this ep:Seaweed is VERY coolHow seaweed and seagrass differ and why this is important for storing carbonWhat is Crayweed? Why did it entirely disappear from the Sydney's East Coast? And what is being done to bring it back (cue Operation Crayweed)?Over the last century the UK has lost 92% of it's seagrass cover and this continues to decline by 7% every year!Which other countries are implementing restoration projects? Hint: check out the WWF Seagrass Restoration Project, a plan that aims to restore seagrasses to the shores of the UK. Thanks again for joining us Alex!  Useful links:Operation Crayweed - http://www.operationcrayweed.com/USC Seaweed Research Group - https://www.usc.edu.au/research/seaweed-research-groupPeople can also find links to all my socials on my own personal webpage - https://www.alexandracampbell.com.au/Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Climate Change: an unlikely comedy? This week Heidi and Bella spoke with Australian comedian, performer and writer, Issy Phillips, about the intersection between climate change and comedy. You'll come away with a barrel of laughs, plus a knowledge of:ASMR and how the heck is relates to climate changeHow we could use comedy to cope with climate anxietyHow the media talks about climate changeThat Heidi and Bella's microphones really aren't equipped to do ASMR and we'll leave it to the professionals (much to everyone's relief)Some more useful links to things we spoke about:Issy's TEDx Youth talk 'Could ASMR be the Answer to Climate Change?' Barnaby Joyce embarresing himself on live TV claiming that he 'did not sign' the COP26 agreement, signed by the Morrison GovThe Juice Media's Honest Gov Ad about COP26Thanks again Issy for joining us and you can find Issy on Insta (@issyphillips) or listen to her show on FBi Radio! Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Welcome to Wk 2 of our month on Climate Change: Facts, Denial and Solutions! This week, in honour or COP26 and net zero targets, Heidi and Bella spoke with Professor Mark Howden, Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at ANU.What you'll learn:What is COP26 and what pledges came out of it?What is Australia's net zero target and how do we plan to reach it?Is this a good target? Can we reach net zero sooner?How much warming are we likely to experience?Useful links:Learn more about Mark's work at ANURead the IPCC 6th Assessment ReportRead more about Australia's fossil fuel expansion plansRead Australia's Long-Term Emissions Reduction PlanSupport the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

What is the greatest human rights challenge of our time? and what are the solutions? For our final week of International Politics month, India and Heidi spoke with the inspirational Negaya Chorley, CEO of Results Australia. Results is an organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls around the world through providing everyone access to healthcare, knowledge and education. You'll learn:What are some of the greatest human rights challenges of our time? And what is #1? (the answer may surprise you!)What are some of the solutions to these challenges?How is Results Australia at the forefront of these challenges?How can you help? and volunteer opportunities with Results AustraliaTo find out more about Results Australia check out their story, current campaigns and how you can volunteer/work with them.Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Icy landscapes on the largest desert on Earth, adorable fur seals, wind turbines on research bases... can you guess where we're travelling to this week? For our 3rd week of International Politics, Heidi and Bella learn all about Antarctic landscapes, governance and wildlife from PhD candidate and Antarctic researcher, Natasha Gardiner. What we learnt:What's it really like to research in Antarctica? Like, how cold??Does Antarctica have a government? Can you be 'President of Antarctica'?How is Antarctica governed? Who's calling the shots?How is research in Antarctica important for the rest of the world?Natasha is a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury where she is studying the interfarce between science, research and politics and she also works as an environmental advisor at Antarctica New Zealand. Follow her on Twitter @nb_gardiner and let us know what you think of the episode by tagging @lifeonplanetapodcast !Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

This week India & Heidi learn about 'the accountability trap' with Prof. Susan Park from the Sydney Environment Institute. What you'll learn:What incentives do states have to meet their agreed climate targets? (hint: not a lot)What happens if states don't meet these targets (hint: not a lot)What is the 'accountability trap'?How can we hold states responsible for not meeting these targets?Also listen in at 17:48 to hear the sweet sweet voice of Sir David Attenborough as he calls out the Aus Gov for their lack of action on climate change.Susan Park is Professor of Global Governance at the USYD and acting deputy director of the Sydney Environment Institute, where she focuses on how state and non-state actors use formal and informal influence to make the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) greener and more accountable.Support the show (https://www.patron.com/lifeonplanetapodcast)

Climate change, climate emergency, the climate crisis - so much talk about climate change but so little talk about other issues... like biodiversity. Why? This week Heidi, Bella and India spoke with Associate Professor Charlotte Epstein about biodiversity and why we need to be talking about it. What you'll learn:In 1992 leaders from around the world gathered in Rio de Janeiro for 3 major conventions: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeConvention on Biological DiversityUnited Nations Convention to Combat DesertificationWhy then do we only hear about climate change? Why should we be talking about biodiversity?How can we mobilise action on this?To read more about Charlotte's work see University of Sydney profile, read about the Carlsberg project she's leading on decolonizing political action or follow her on twitter @Prof_ch_epstein. Thanks again for joining us Charlotte! 

The final week of Australian Politics month has arrived!!  We are sad it's over but we look forward to next month which is International Politics. In this Ep, Bella speaks with Australian Federal Liberal MP, Jason Falinski. Jason was elected the Member for Mackellar in the Australian House of Representatives at the 2016 Australian election. We spoke with Jason about:- What is the philosophy of the Australian Liberal Party? Is this always practiced?- How and when can Australia reach net zero?- What is stopping us from achieving net zero in Australia?- Are electric vehicles and systems the key to net zero?Thanks so much Jason for joining us! Enjoy the show and let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast and #lifeonplanetapodcast on your socials!We also state that Jasons views and opinions are his own and for any information on health or science - please refer to a professional in that field.#politics #australianpolitics #liberals #lifeonplaneta #climatechange #climateemergency #climatecrisis #climateaction #australiangov #ausgov #uspolitics #un #globalgoals #carbonemissions #podcast #sustainabilitypodcast #listennow #newepisode

BONUS episode for week 3 of Australian Politics! This week Heidi and Bella spoke with PhD candidate, Bhiamie Williamson about Native Title and how we can strengthen ties with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; ties that have previously been severed by colonisation. What you'll learn:What is Native Title? What does it mean? How is it granted?What is cultural burning and what does it do for Indigenous communities?What unique opportunities does climate change provide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?How can we re-connect the ties that have previously been severed, and work with these groups?Bhiamie Williamson is a Euahlayi man currently undertaking his PhD at the Australian National University Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, where his research focuses on Indigenous youth, Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management & Indigenous Men and Masculinities.If you want to learn more about the Uluru Statement from the Heart visit: https://ulurustatement.org/faqshttps://fromtheheart.com.au/

For Episode 3 of Australian Politics month, Heidi and Bella spoke with the inspirational Dr Christine J Winter about intergenerational environmental justice theory, and more specifically...What is Intergenerational Environmental Justice (IEJ)?What is our relationship to nature?Time is a spiral of past, present and future in which, we are all connected.Why have some people lost their connection to nature? How can we repair this?How can we (as individuals and the gov.) work with Australian Indigenous communities to re-connect with nature and embrace IEJ?Christine is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Sydney Environment Institute where her research focuses at the intersection of intergenerational, indigenous and environmental justice. Thank you again for joining us Christine!Some of the concepts this week were tricky so we'll be posting helpful socials throughout the week to help, as well as a summary in our monthly resource sheet available on our website: https://www.lifeonplanetapodcast.com/ 

Week 2 of Australian Politics month has arrived!! On Ep #48 Heidi and Bella talk with Dean Bialek about Australia's role (or lack of) in the COP26 summit and in the global race to net zero carbon emissions. Dean is the Head of the International Politics Unit for the COP26 Climate Champions Team and is leading the development of renewable energy projects across Australia.What we learnt:- How does Australia's climate goals compare to the rest of the world? - The U.S. aims cut 50% of their emissions by 2030, why don't we?- Why isn't Australia more ambitious in our targets? - What is 'the Race to Zero' and how is it helping companies and governments become net zero as soon as possible?Thanks so much Dean for joining us! Enjoy the show and let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast and #lifeonplanetapodcast on your socials!#politics #australianpolitics #cop26 #racetozero #lifeonplaneta #climatechange #climateemergency #climatecrisis #climateaction #australiangov #ausgov #uspolitics #un #globalgoals #carbonemissions #podcast #sustainabilitypodcast #listennow #newepisode

EPISODE 47: Strong Indepdendent Women in Australian Politics with Zali Steggall. This week Heidi and Bella spoke with inspirational sportsperson, speaker and independent member of Australian Parliament, Zali Steggall. We discussed:- What was Zali's experience as a woman in Australian politics? - What is the latest news on her climate action bill? - What keeps Zali so motivated to push for climate action despite frequent pushback from the Federal Gov?Learn more about women in Aussie politics by watching Ms Represented. Listen now on your favourite platforms and let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast and #lifeonplanetapodcast on your socials. Thanks again for joining us Zali!

Yes. According to many economists, climate change poses the biggest long-term threat to the global economy.  This week Heidi and Bella strapped on their economist hats to review our month on economy and understand:what is economic risk?what risk does climate change pose to the economy?how do we calculate such risk? (hint: DICE)is the Paris climate agreement useful or redundant?what can governments do to halt climate change?This left us thinking, what is the solution? "I dont know any question to which the answer is so simple as what is the most efficient climate policy - it's harmonised carbon prices around the world." - Professor William Nordhaus.

We are into our third week of the economics series, and kicking it off with Cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is a buzz word at the moment but does it really have a future as a currency? We explore cryptocurrency and blockchain technology with Barney Tan, an associate professor at the University of Sydney. We breakdown blockchain technology to get an understanding for the technology behind cryptocurrency and then dive into all of the work that has to be done in order to mine just one bitcoin!If you want to know more about the cryptocurrency, the energy usage of it  and the future of crypto, then this is the podcast for you!Thank you Barney Tan for all your work and expertise.Time Stamps:0:00 - Intro to Barney12:00 - Blockchain17:00- Types of blockchain33:00 - Cryptocurrency45:00 - Energy consumption of cryptocurrency54:20 - Ethereum and cutting their energy consumption by 99%

Topic: EconomicsPart 2: Economics and Climate ChangeThis week we interview Tom Quinn who is the Head of Policy and Research at the thinktank Beyond Zero Emissions. Tom sees the opportunities for Australia to be at the forefront of future jobs. There is an increased demand for sustainability products and services.  Beyond Zero Emissions is trying to help Australia build the policies to create jobs and a cleaner world in Australia.  In the interview, we discuss the Beyond Zero Emissions, Million Jobs Plan. The Million Jobs Plan rebuilds our economy after the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and secures a strong future for all Australians. The Million Jobs Plan shows how in just five years, renewables and low emissions projects can deliver 1.8 million new jobs in the regions and communities where these are needed most. Time Stamps:0:00 - introduction to Tom Quinn5:45 - Beyond Zero Missions Mission7:00- Cost of Climate Change11:00 - Economics Crisis from Climate Change18:50 - How many jobs can renewable energy create for Australians?21:00 - What will jobs look like in the future?30:00 - Jobs being created under the Million Jobs Plan37:00 - Carbon Capture Storage40:00 - Biofuels50:00 - Meaning of Life

EPISODE #43 Topic: Economics Guest: Maddy and Sophie from the podcast You're in Good Company This week we kick off our first topic for the month of August. The topic we will be discussing this month is Economics. Of course, not just economics but economics and how it relates to sustainability.Our first topic will be Sustainable investing and we had a lovely interview with the very knowledge women from  the podcast You're in Good Company- Maddy and Sophie! You're in Good Company is an investing podcast striving to disrupt the norms in the finance industry. We discussed all things investing from where do you do it, how do you know if the company is sustainable to what should I invest in? We had a lovely chat with them! Check out there podcast here and there Instagram is @yigcpodcast!Time Stamps:0:00 - Introduction to YIGC - Maddie and Sophie4:00 - Wealth accumulation and gender pay gap7:46 - What are some sustainable investing strategies?14:00 - Financial Lens and Sustainability15:20 - Sustainability Metrics23:40 - Examples of companies to invest in Nvidia and Salesforce and Secos Group27:30 - Is Tesla contributing to positive ESG goals?32:00 - ETFs36:00 - Where do you invest?38:00.- Young people and investing42:00 - Hedging investments45:00 - Why should we invest sustainably?50:00 - Government Reform

It's a busy time of year with COVID-19 lockdowns across the globe and Olympic news dominated our newsfeeds. In all this excitement you might've missed a few stories that we think are worth talking about. This week Bella and Heidi discuss the UNESCO World Heritage Commitee's  recent recommendation to add the Australian Great Barrier Reef to the 'in danger' list. The Australian Government faught hard to block this, despite top Australian scientists supporting the choice. Take a listen to find out how this played out and why we should be talking about it.Next, we'll discuss the multitude of natural disasters that have swept across the globe in the past 2 months (from wildfires to floods to drought).Enjoy the episode and as always, let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta in your socials. Got a topic you want us to talk about? Email lifeonplanetapodcast@gmail.comTime Stamps:0:00 Introduction5:05 - UNESCO and the Great Barrier Reef(GBR)7:44 - Bleaching Events in the GBR12:58 - GBR and the UNESCO 'In-danger' list14:00 - Natural Disasters15:00 - Floods in China17:13 - Floods in Tajikistan 19:42 - Floods in Germany 19:57 - Floods in New York 21:12 - Wildfires Across the Globe23:14 - Famine in Madagascar 

This week Heidi and Bella spoke with ocean governance and marine debris researcher, Jordan Gacutan. Jordan is a PhD candidate at the University of NSW who is working closely with NGOs such as Tarangoa Blue to collect big data and identify the sources and sinks of plastic. What you'll learn from this episode:what is the source to sink pathway of marine debris?what is the role of NGOs and the government in this space?are we doing enough about the plastic problem?extra link: NSW Plastic Discussion PlanThanks again for joining us Jordan and as usual, let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast and #lifeonplaneta on our socials.

This week Heidi and Bella discuss the pathways to the future, the non-plastic pathways to be exact. In this episode you'll learn:What is Plastic Free July about?What is biobased plastic? And is it always biodegradable?What are the best options we have for plastic alternatives? Incl. Loliware, B'zeos, Ecovative Design.Can we start wearing mushrooms and eating seaweed!? (and if yes, where do I sign up?)How can we all be futurologists?Thanks for listening and let us know your thoughts by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast and #lifeonplanetapodcast on your socials.#futurology #mushroombioplastic #bioplastic #seaweedbioplastic #lolliware #plasticfreejuly

To kick off Plastic Free July we spoke with Life on Planet A's resident marine ecologist, Bella Charlesworth about all things plastic! We discuss the unlikely places where plastics have been found, as well on tips on how you can reduce the plastic you're using, wearing and chucking. Did you know you could be shedding plastics into the environment every time you wash your clothes? But what happens next? Press play to find out.In honour of #plasticfreejuly we're dedicating the entire month to focus on plastic contamination and research as well as getting to know the start-ups give us a much needed solution to the plastic problem. 

Last week we travelled (virtually) to the Phillipines to interview biologist and conservationist Jean Utzurrum about Seaspiracy; here's Part 2 of our chat! This episode we learnt:does the film over-dramatise the dangers of South East Asia?what struggles do conservationists go through (often daily) in South East Asia?should we stop eating fish?what positives are there to look to in the future of the fishing industy?what is the meaning of life?Also stick around at the end for some news about Life on Planet A's cheeky relaunch. Thanks again Jean and we'll see you all in July!  

Chances are you've heard of the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy, and you're probably also familiar with the controvery that came with it (if not, where have you been!?) Did the documentary make you question your actions? and everything you thought you knew about the fishing industry? Us too! But then we saw the mixed reviews appearing in the media and thought this was a dilemma we had to get to the bottom of. That's why we travelled (virtually) to the beautiful oceans of the Phillipines, to get in touch with ocean conservationist, Jean Utzurrum. In this episode we discuss alternative methods of fishing, sustainable fishing and the racist undertones throughout the film. 

How would you debate with a climate change denier? This week Heidi and Bella will do it for you as they take on new personas to battle it out about the climate change debate. Heidi will play De Ny, a coal lobbyist and firm denier of climate change and Bella will be Cli Mate, climate scientist and activist. Extra points if you spot the name puns! Special guest appearances: 1. Shane Cornell discusses the price of renewable energy (from Episodes 23 & 24)2. Richie Merzian discusses jobs in the non-renewable vs. renewable industries (Episode 28)

Elsa has a degree in Geography and Sustainable development and is currently finalising her Master's degree in Comparative Public policy.  Elsa is particularly interested in the relationship between political trust and political participation (their undergraduate thesis topic) as well as environmental politics, circular economy and different forms of governance, and the intersections of social sciences and sustainability more broadly.Time Stamps:1:07 - Comparative Public Policy10:38 - Epistemic Governance18:22 - Circular economy23:16 - Minimal state intervention27:34 - Fairness versus Entitlement32:00 - What is policy?37:38 - Book recommendations39:00 - Democracy42:00 - Human Rights50:00 - Assigning Responsibility 

Episode is out with Ryan Collins from Planet Ark. We discuss Circular economy and all things recycling!Timestamps:2:50 - Planet Ark - Circular Economy Hub 3:17 - Introduction to Ryan6:03 - Background on Planet Ark8:18 - Recycling the Un recyclable 11:00 - Australasian recycling label13:50 - Circular Economy 21:00 - Data and recycling23:50- Will circular economy solve our problems?43:00 - Can everything be made of the same thing?49:00 - Biogas53:00 - Advice from Ryan

This week we speak with PhD researcher, Babet de Groot.  We discuss:the plastic problemocen gyresBiodegradable vs. degradableThe Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the difficulty in controlling/governing plastic in the mid-ocean.UN Conventions for Ocean PlasticNSW Plastic Discussion PlanBabet is currently researching at the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.  Thanks for joining us Babet! Let us know what you think by tagging @lifeonplaneta_podcast on your socials.3:53 - The struggles of doing a honours versus a thesis.6:00 - Working at GHD7:02 - What Babet does?7:17 - Marine Plastic Pollution7:41 - What is an ocean gyre?9:07 -Degrading versus biodegradable10:38 - Photo degradation (plastic degradation)14:00 - Great Pacific Garbage Patch20:00- UN Conventions for Ocean Plastic27:00 -NSW plastic discussion33:00 - Whose responsbility is it to deal with waste?36:41 - China's operational national sword39:22 - Social and economic effects of plastic pollution55:03 - Common but differentiated responsibility 57:15 - Transboundary issue of problem1:02 - Plastic Myths

Heidi talks to the listeners for a short rant to discuss the David Goggins Challenge she and her friend Diana are doing this week. She also gives an update about Life on Planet A and what is in store for the future. Heidi and Diana wanted to run the 4/4/48 challenge to raise money for Deadly Science.Deadly Sciences aim is to provide science books and early reading material to remote schools in Australia. As of now they have shipped over 16,000 books 500 telescopes and other STEM resources to over a hundred  schools with more to come.The Deadly Science LTD Charity started after Corey Tutt found out that some schools were completely under resourced this is what created what is now known as DeadlyScience.We know from personal experiences that books & resources change lives, and these kids deserve nothing but the best. DeadlyScience wants to ensure all schools have access to our history of Science by providing resources that connect schools to the First Scientists of Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.To raise money for Deadly Science we will be running 78 km. If you want to join us for parts of the run on it starts Friday March 6th at 8 pm and/ or you can donate to Deadly Science- our goal is to raise $3,000. In total we will be running 78 km or 48 miles and we want people to join us for each of the 4 miles we do along the way.So What is the 4/4/48 running challenge?The 4/4/48 running challenge requires you to run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours. This was made by David Goggins, a tough ex-Navy Seal.Why is the 4/4/48 running challenge difficult?At first, the idea of running 4 miles, every 4 hours, across 48 hours seems easy. For those who run regularly, 4 miles isn't a huge distance. However, the number of times 4 miles is required across the 48-hours quickly makes the feat gruelling as those undertaking the challenge clock up almost 50 miles. That's nearly 2 whole marathons in 2 days.One reason some find this challenge difficult and refuse to undertake it is the frequency required. Because you have to run 4 miles every 4 hours, it means you can't get quality sleep. Sure, you might get a decent 2 and a half hours in but alarm bells will soon awaken you from a peaceful slumber and you will need to do your 4 miles. Sounds like hell to a lot of people.We will be doing this to raise money and get our friends and family to push themselves outside their comfort zone. We will be posting more information soon about the route we will be taking and where everyone can join us along the way if they want to run parts of it with us!Donate to the (not so) run fun here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fun-run-deadly-science-fundraiser?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet