The Ecologist Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Ecologist Podcast
Welcome to The Ecologist Podcast! Join us as we explore the essentials and complexities of environmental and sustainability topics every month. From circular economies to sustainable tourism, our podcast strives to bring to light all the nooks and crannies of environmentalism. Our 30 minute episodes are dedicated to a new guest each session and a good news section, where we highlight some positive developments around the globe. This project is a part of the Graduate Institute of Geneva's Environmental Committee and is currently hosted by Tanvee Kanaujia, Mariam Kerfai, and Juan Diego Prado.
Join us for our final episode of this season, as we talk to Benjamin Schachter, the Coordinator for the Environment and Climate Change team at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. From spearheading pivotal reports and studies to leading dynamic panel discussions, he's been at the heart of it all. And now, as the head of the environment and climate change team, Ben continues to pave the way for transformative action in this ever-important realm. So grab your headphones and prepare to dive into the conversation with us!
Join a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Alice Pirlot (Assistant Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute) about the interlinkages of taxation and climate change. Sebastian Zünd and new host Kristi explore Professor Pirlot’s fascination with the topic and how taxes affect environmental problems. The discussion covers tax governance, carbon pricing, as well as the controversial Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the critical link between economics and sustainability.
The Ecologist Podcast is back for a new season! Join us for a very exciting first episode with our guest Dr. Oksana Tarasova, a Senior Scientific Officer in the Infrastructure Department of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). In this discussion, we take stock of the current state of the climate and the key dynamics that are influencing it (both now and in the future). We also discuss the activities of a Senior Scientist at the WMO, and the implications of converging scientific, sociopolitical, and economic realities.Special thanks to Le Sablier de Cassandre, who facilitated the discussion as part of their flagship Apéro Climat Initiative! This episode was recorded with a live audience during the Geneva Sustainability Week at La Fabrique, IHEID.
Join us for a very special final episode of season 5 of the Ecologist Podcast, featuring a live-discussion with the renowned Julia Steinberger, a well renowned economical ecologist, IPCC author, and climate activist! In this discussion we seek to challenge the conventional wisdom of 'green growth,' examining its implications for equity and unraveling the intricate connections between economic activity, material usage, and well-being. A special thanks to the team at the Fabrique for hosting our live podcast!
In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Davide Fanciulli, an Assistant Program Management Officer at the UN SDG Lab in Geneva. We ask exactly where we are at with the SDGs, and discuss the outcome of the recent SDG Summit held in New York. We also explore the role of youth voices and perspectives in large international forums, and the opportunities available.
Welcome back to Season 5 of The Ecologist! This season we are joined by two new hosts - Raghu and Sebastian, alongside Bo. For our first episode we are joined by Valeria Mendez, a conservation biologist and visiting fellow at the Graduate Institute. We discuss the Global Biodiversity Framework, and Valeria’s insights from her research on the role of Indigenous peoples and other interdisciplinary aspects in biodiversity conservation. She also shares with us her experience and opportunities of being a young researcher.
Join us for a very special occasion for the final episode of season 4 of the Ecologist Podcast. In this episode, we host a live-discussion alongside our friend Moe Shiojiri from The Graduate Press as part of the 2023 Book & Podcast Festival at IHEID. In this discussion, we are joined by three wonderful panelists Albert Ng, Raghuveer Vyas and Hussein Ghandour, to discuss one of the key challenges to combating climate change - how can we amplify local approaches and knowledge in an ecosystem of increasing universality. The discussion brings together stories from different corners of the world as the panelists reflect on both the challenges and opportunities of driving our approach from local and Indigenous perspectives. A special thanks to the team at the Fabrique for organising the Festival and hosting our live podcast!
In our second and very special episode of season 4, The Ecologist Podcast, in collaboration with IHEID’s Centre for International Environmental Studies, host Juan Diego Prado is joined by his former ARP team members Anne-Lise Hadzopoulos, Michael King, and Noelia Villazón to recap their 2022 Capstone project. The group shares with us their insight to the ARP project and how they promoted ecological connectivity through nature-based solutions in the Carpathian region of Eastern Europe. A special thank you to CIES for their collaboration with not only the ARP group but also the EC to make this episode possible. Stick around for more exciting content coming your way very soon!
In our first episode of season 4, The Ecologist Podcast hosts Juan Diego Prado and Bo Mun are joined by Emily Mathias, the Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Primary Industries in New Zealand, and good friend of Bo! Emily shares with us her insight to the world of COP and the intricacies of carbon markets. She also talks about the role that the youth can and is already playing in the realm of sustainable development. Stick around for more exciting content coming your way very soon!
News Stories:
- Bittern Comeback After Breeding Season: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/06/uk-loudest-bird-bittern-bumper-breeding-season#:~:text=UK's%20loudest%20bird%20finds%20its%20voice%20again%20after%20bumper%20breeding%20season,-Once%2Dextinct%2C%20bitterns&text=The%20UK's%20loudest%20bird%20has,their%20wetland%20habitat%20for%20agriculture
- UN-Backed Landmark Pacific-Led Resolution: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-30/vanuatu-closer-to-icj-advisory-opinion-on-climate-obligations/102157176
- New Australian Law Capping Oil and Gas Emissions: https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/03/30/safeguard-our-future-australia-passes-law-capping-oil-and-gas-emissions-for-the-first-time#:~:text=Australia%20has%20passed%20tough%20new,five%20per%20cent%20each%20year
In our latest episode, The Ecologist Podcast welcomes our two new co-hosts: Laure Driessen and Bo Mun! Alongside them, brand-new EC President Camille Darbo also joins us for our chat with our latest guest. Diane Henny, the co-founder and director of local NGO Terrases Sans Frontières, shares with us the benefits and challenges of promoting the use of green roofs right here in Geneva. She explains the intricacies of the organization’s operations, from convincing the canton about the advantages of green roofs to the continued maintenance of finished projects. If you would like to know more about Diane and her work, you can follow her organization on Instagram at @terrasessansfrontieres ! Stick around for season 4 coming very soon!
News Stories:
· France Bans Domestic Short-Haul Flights: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/12/02/is-france-banning-private-jets-everything-we-know-from-a-week-of-green-transport-proposals
· Renewables to Produce More Energy than Coal in US: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/24/renewables-to-produce-more-energy-than-coal-in-the-us-for-the-first-time-this-year
· Rare Bird Rediscovered in PNG: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/11/22/like-finding-a-unicorn-rare-bird-lost-to-science-for-140-years-rediscovered-in-papua-new-g
In this episode, EC President Marta La Placa joins us again in a fascinating episode where we talk to Abdallah Mikulu, a Zero Waste Model expert currently working in his home country of Tanzania. Abdallah sheds light into an amazing project currently making strides in a region that deserves more awareness. He explains the intricacies of repurposing numerous kinds of waste and educating the local population about sustainable habits while simultaneously creating employment. If you would like to know more about Abdallah and his work, you can follow his organization Mazingira Plus on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/mazingira-plus/ and Instagram at @mazingira_plus ! Stick around for our next episode for a superb surprise!
News Stories:
· Wild Bison Born in UK: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/10/21/wild-baby-bison-born-in-the-uk-for-first-time-in-thousands-of-years-after-surprise-pregnan
· Seaweed Food Wrapping: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/10/23/your-burger-could-soon-come-wrapped-in-packing-made-from-seaweed
· Indian Solar Village: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/10/21/indias-first-solar-powered-village-is-transforming-residents-lives-says-un-chief
Welcome to the third season of The Ecologist Podcast! For our first episode, EC President Marta La Placa and Vice President Nadia Bucher join us for a detailed conversation about the Environmental Committee and the role that they have played during the past year. We highlight some of the many available initiatives part of the committee and we discuss the importance of continuing the growth of each project both within the Institute and around Geneva. If you are interested in joining the Environmental Committee, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/environmental_committee/or our email gisa.ec@graduateinstitute.ch!
News Stories:
· EU Central Climate Scores: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/20/europes-central-bank-to-give-companies-climate-scores-when-buying-bonds
· Wyoming Carbon Capture Plant: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/15/carbon-capture-wyomings-new-plant-could-be-a-game-changer-in-the-race-to-slow-global-warmi
· EU Solar Power Record: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/08/solar-power-helped-the-eu-avoid-29-billion-in-gas-imports-this-summer
In this episode, we invite Dr. Tim Flannery, an acclaimed author, scientist, and climate change mitigation advocate, on our podcast. Dr. Flannery gives us his take on the current situation regarding climate change, what climate science is telling us today, and whether we have surpassed crucial tipping points. He also highlights the importance of communicating and connecting with different parts of society in order to help better align climate agendas. Promising case studies, such as South Australia and Scotland, show us that society is taking the driver’s seat in setting and reaching its own climate targets. Renewables, such as solar, are becoming more economic and cost competitive with coal, pointing to an achievable clean energy transition that must also be coupled with political will.
News Stories:
· Human Urine Fertilizer: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/05/01/human-urine-could-be-an-effective-and-less-polluting-crop-fertiliser
· European Solar Panels: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/05/11/solar-panels-could-be-on-all-europe-s-public-buildings-by-2025-in-phase-out-of-russian-fos
· Solar Car Park: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/05/11/largest-solar-car-park-in-the-world-opens-at-famous-dutch-festival
The Ecologist Podcast is out with Episode 2 of Season 2! In this episode, Juan Diego, Mariam, and Tanvee put the spotlight on the energy consequences flowing from the Ukraine War, with Prof. Giacomo Luciani, who is teaching this semester at the Institute and is a well-known expert on the geopolitics and economics of energy. Our good news section brings you some positive news about the environment. If you want to read more about these developments, you can find the links below:
News Stories:
· Solar Night Panels: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/04/08/reverse-solar-panel-technology-still-works-when-the-sun-goes-down
· Fisherman Stops Illegal Trawling: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/19/italian-fisherman-sinks-illegal-trawlers-with-other-worldly-underwater-sculptures
· Swedish, Wooden Skyscraper: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/03/28/sweden-s-innovative-wooden-skyscraper-captures-as-much-carbon-as-10-000-forests
Hello there! The Environmental Committee is back and we are very excited to be hosting season two of The Ecologist Podcast. For this first episode, Mariam, Tanvee, and Juan Diego, your new hosts from the EC, invite our colleague Arno Ratzinger to share with us his experience with co-founding his own company that deals with biomaterials. We also share with you some positive environmental news; progress is being made! Finally, we hope you have enjoyed the 2022 edition of Sustainability Week Geneva/Switzerland! Stay tuned for more. :)
Links:
- Compostera Website: https://www.composterra.nl/en/home
- The Young Plastic Pollution Challenge: https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/what-we-do/industry-and-government/challenge/
- IHEID’S Sustainability Week: https://www.sustainabilityweek.ch
News Stories:
- Fish Species Reintroduction: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/03/the-charismatic-mexican-tequila-fish-has-been-saved-from-extinction
- Newly Discovered Coral Reef: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/20/we-know-so-little-oceanographers-rejoice-after-pristine-coral-reef-discovery-in-tahiti
- Urban Nature Corridor: https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/01/06/europe-s-greenest-city-has-free-public-transport-and-highways-for-bees
The sixth and last episode of the first season (2020). Four the season finale, the hosts discuss the role that social innovation can (and has to) play in order to secure a more sustainable future.
The fifth episode of the first season (2020). Ever wondered how the modern city can incorporate sustainable farming practices into its foundation? Find out how many cities around the world are making a change to be more active in the production of sustainable food!
The fourth episode of the first season (2020). Find out how the Covid-19 crisis affected the world of environmentalism and sustainability!
The third episode of the first season (2020). This time, the hosts are joined by IHEID professor Marc Hufty as they discuss the complex relationship between Lithium and a green economy. This episode is also our first episode in French!
The second episode of the first season (2020). We talk about how sustainability and tourism can go hand in hand for a more environmentally friendly future!
The first episode of the first season (2020). The topic of circular economies is explored and we promote the Graduate Institute of Geneva's "Sustainability Week"!