Nature Breaking
Join host Seth Larson as he interviews experts on some of the biggest environmental issues affecting people and our planet, including climate change, habitat loss, endangered species, and more. Learn something new about nature in every episode. This show is produced by World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
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How Sustainable Infrastructure Can Protect Nature & People
01/13/2026
How Sustainable Infrastructure Can Protect Nature & People
Did you know that 75% of the infrastructure the world will use in 2050 hasn’t been built yet? That means the choices we make today—about roads, bridges, railways, ports, and power systems—will shape the future of both human development and the natural world. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Ryan Bartlett, Director for Climate Resilience and Risk Management, explains how we can build the infrastructure we need without destroying the ecosystems we rely on for critical benefits, including resilience to worsening weather extremes. From habitat fragmentation to increased flooding, poorly planned infrastructure can unintentionally cause huge environmental and social problems. But with the right planning tools, safeguards, and nature-based solutions that treat nature as infrastructure, we can chart a very different path forward. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:26 Intro 1:38 Challenges and opportunities with infrastructure development 4:37 Unintended consequences from poorly planned infrastructure 8:05 Best practices to balance infrastructure with nature & climate concerns 10:58 Solutions for infrastructure bisecting wildlife habitat 15:20 Asia as a key region for sustainable infrastructure 18:30 Sustainable Infrastructure Program in Asia (SIPA) 28:53 Lessons learned from SIPA 31:07 Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) program 34:32 What does success look like for advancing sustainable infrastructure development? 37:39 Outro
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Top 10 Conservation Wins of the Century (So Far)
12/30/2025
Top 10 Conservation Wins of the Century (So Far)
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking back at the 10 biggest conservation wins of the 21st century (so far). We’ll revisit iconic successes like the Paris Agreement on climate, the rebound of wild tigers and giant pandas, and the creation of the Amazon Region Protected Areas Program, the largest tropical forest conservation initiative on Earth. Plus, we’ll celebrate grassroots efforts like Earth Hour and the return of bison to Native lands—proof that progress is happening at every level. If you care about wildlife, climate, and sustainability, this episode will give you hope and inspiration for the future. Links: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:33 Intro 1:36 Rules of the Countdown 4:31 High Seas Treaty 5:57 Global Biodiversity Framework 7:06 Bison Restoration 9:27 Giant Pandas No Longer Endangered 10:43 The Paris Agreement on Climate Change 11:32 Global Response to the Poaching Crisis 12:55 Rebound of Wild Tigers 16:06 Earth Hour Launches 17:03 Creation of the Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA) Program 19:55 Environmentalism Goes Mainstream
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A Plan for More Sustainable Food (2024)
12/02/2025
A Plan for More Sustainable Food (2024)
Note: This episode originally ran on October 1, 2024. If you'd like to support WWF for Giving Tuesday, visit . Global food production is a key driver behind both climate change and the loss of species and ecosystems. In fact, it’s responsible for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and over two-thirds of global habitat and biodiversity losses. That’s because unsustainable food production too often lead to the destruction of forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems in order to produce more food. So how do we create a more sustainable food system? Joining the show today is Dr. Jason Clay, Executive Director of WWF’s Markets Institute. Jason has decades of experience working with companies to find innovative ways to make their supply chains more sustainable, and today he’ll be explaining his latest initiative: Codex Planetarius. In short, Codex Planetarius aims to establish global environmental standards to limit the harm caused by the production of globally traded food. The idea draws inspiration from Codex Alimentarius, the international code of health and safety standards for food established in the mid-20th century. It makes sense: If the world can adopt standards to protect human health and safety, why can't we do the same for the health and safety of the planet? In this interview, Jason explains how his career journey evolved from human rights to conservation (with help from the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry’s along the way), and how Codex Planetarius could establish new global norms for food production that help us feed the world without destroying it. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Programming note 1:22 Intro 3:10 Jason's background 5:14 Working with the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry's to save the rainforest 10:14 How the global food trade works 16:17 Codex Planetarius: global standards for sustainable food production 25:09 Paying for Codex Planetarius 30:57 How to implement the plan 41:52 Outro
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How Losing Vultures Led to 500,000 Human Deaths
11/18/2025
How Losing Vultures Led to 500,000 Human Deaths
What happens when nature’s cleanup crew disappears? In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson talks with Professor Eyal Frank, an environmental economist at the University of Chicago, about his groundbreaking research on the near-extinction of vultures in India—and the devastating ripple effects on human health. Frank explains: Why vultures are critical for ecosystems and public health How a common painkiller triggered a collapse in vulture populations Why that collapse may have caused 500,000 additional human deaths What this teaches us about the hidden costs of biodiversity loss This is a fascinating—and sobering—look at how species we often overlook play vital roles in our lives. Tune in to learn why protecting wildlife isn’t just about saving nature—it’s about saving ourselves. Listen now and subscribe for more episodes on the connections between people and the planet. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia 0:32 Intro 2:16 Eyal Frank’s background 4:40 Comparing attribution science in climate change v. biodiversity loss 6:27 Why are vultures important? 9:06 How Eyal learned about vulture loss in India 11:02 What happened to vultures in India? 15:50 How did vulture loss contribute to human deaths? 26:47 What were the actual causes of human deaths? 32:02 How many people died due to loss of vultures? 37:36 Lessons for policymakers and the general public 42:03 What’s next for Eyal Frank? 45:02 Outro
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COP30’s Big Idea: The Tropical Forest Forever Facility
11/04/2025
COP30’s Big Idea: The Tropical Forest Forever Facility
At COP30 in Brazil, one of the most ambitious climate finance initiatives ever conceived is set to launch: the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF). This bold plan aims to flip the economics of deforestation by paying countries to keep their forests standing—rather than rewarding them for cutting them down. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Andrew Deutz joins host Seth Larson to break down how the TFFF works, why Brazil’s $1 billion commitment is a game-changer, and what makes this model so innovative. From leveraging private finance to guaranteeing benefits for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the TFFF could reshape global forest conservation—and climate finance as we know it. Tune in to learn why COP30 is the “make-or-break” moment for the TFFF, how the facility plans to mobilize $125 billion in capital, and what this means for tropical forest countries and the fight against climate change. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:43 Intro 2:07 What is the TFFF? 4:22 TFFF development process 6:11 Benefits for Indigenous Peoples 10:11 COP30 expectations and next steps 14:12 How would the TFFF work in practice? 19:01 Brazil’s leadership 21:57 What’s in it for the private sector? 26:02 Response to TFFF critiques 31:23 One thing that everyone should know about the TFFF 33:04 Outro
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Spooky Species and a Green Halloween
10/28/2025
Spooky Species and a Green Halloween
In this Halloween bonus episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share tips for celebrating the season in a more sustainable way—from upcycled costumes and DIY decorations to creative uses for leftover pumpkin bits. Then, things get spooky as Seth and Hayley play a game of “Guess That Spooky Species,” featuring eerie animal sounds from the wild. Can you tell the difference between a raven and an owl? A bear and an alligator? Tune in and test your wildlife knowledge! Whether you’re trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, or just enjoying the spooky vibes, this episode is packed with fun and eco-friendly ideas to help you celebrate Halloween with nature in mind. Happy Halloween from all of us at WWF! Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:41 Intro 1:38 Seth & Hayley Halloween memories 4:09 Green Halloween Tips 7:44 Guess that “spooky species” sound 12:29 Outro
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The High Seas Treaty Explained: Why It Matters for Our Ocean & Beyond
10/21/2025
The High Seas Treaty Explained: Why It Matters for Our Ocean & Beyond
Nearly half of Earth’s surface lies beyond the jurisdiction of any single country—and until now, those waters have been largely unregulated. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Johan Bergenas joins host Seth Larson to unpack the newly ratified High Seas Treaty and what it means for the future of our ocean. From illegal fishing and environmental degradation to human trafficking and unregulated resource extraction, the high seas have long been a lawless frontier. But with this treaty now in force, countries have a framework to establish marine protected areas, conduct environmental impact assessments, and collaborate on enforcement and conservation. Johan explains how the treaty came together, what it aims to achieve, and why it’s a critical step toward meeting global biodiversity goals—like protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Tune in to learn how this landmark agreement could reshape ocean governance and help safeguard the planet’s largest ecosystem. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:36 Intro 1:58 Defining “the high seas” 3:21 Crime on the high seas 5:13 Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing 10:00 The High Seas Treaty 12:13 Marine Protected Areas 16:00 Next steps for the treaty 17:25 Hurdles to implementation 20:28 Why did it take this long to get a treaty? 22:02 Outro
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Nature Prescriptions: How Time Outdoors Can Improve Your Health
09/30/2025
Nature Prescriptions: How Time Outdoors Can Improve Your Health
In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Associate Medical Director of Park Rx America, about the growing movement to prescribe time in nature as a way to improve physical and mental health as a complement to modern medicine and medical techniques. From reducing stress and anxiety to lowering blood pressure and boosting immune function, the health benefits of nature are real—and measurable. Dr. Beller Stryer explains how nature prescriptions work, why they’re gaining traction in the medical community, and how anyone can start incorporating nature into their wellness routine. Whether you live near a forest or in the heart of a city, this episode offers practical insights into how nature can support your well-being—and why protecting it is essential for public health. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question 0:38 Intro 2:10 Dr. Beller Stryer’s background 4:25 What is a nature prescription? 5:30 Science behind nature-health link 8:37 How are nature prescriptions designed? 11:02 Rural vs. urban nature access 13:24 Real-world patient examples 15:27 Guidance for doctors 18:30 How can patients take action? 19:41 Closing thoughts 20:33 Outro
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Nature Needs Us Now: WWF’s New Campaign, Explained
09/16/2025
Nature Needs Us Now: WWF’s New Campaign, Explained
Nature provides countless benefits—from clean air and fresh water to raw materials for homes, medicines, and food. But nature is under threat from pollution, deforestation, poaching, and more. That’s why WWF just launched a new campaign with a powerful message: Nature Needs Us Now. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with Sara Thomas, WWF’s Senior Director for Marketing and Outreach, to take you behind the scenes of how the campaign came together. Sara shares the creative thinking behind the campaign’s 90-second ad, “Marble,” and reveals insights from WWF’s 2025 Connected by Nature Report, which explores how Americans view their relationship with nature. You’ll learn why nature is more than just beautiful landscapes—it’s the foundation of our health, economy, and daily lives. And you’ll hear what each of us can do to protect the natural systems that sustain us. 🎧 Like, subscribe, and drop a comment to share how nature shows up in your life—and what you’re doing to protect it. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Wild Guess trivia question – free merch giveaway! 0:23 Intro 1:58 Sara’s background 3:09 How kids inspire Sara’s and Seth’s interest in nature 5:22 Nature Needs Us Now campaign – what is it, and why now? 7:48 “Marble” ad 9:27 Key takeaways from the ad 11:27 Messaging choices & Connected by Nature report 17:00 What actions can people take? 21:30 Outro Credits for “The Blue Marble”: Video: © Silverback Films/WWF-UK; © WWF-UK; © Staffan Widstrand/Wild Wonders of China/WWF; © Shutterstock/Nat Sumanatemeya/WWF-UK; © monkeybusinessimages/iStock; © thedronalist/pond5; © StratfordProductions/pond5; © BananaRepublic/pond5; © sekarb/pond5; © Erik Tatevosian/iStock; © molchanovdmitry/iStock; © risingforus/pond5; © chuchart/pond5; © Stockmagical; © Localradio/pond5; © Mycreative/pond5; © uralbear/pond5; © RickRay/pond5; © Shutterstock/WF/WWF; © theundertow.ocean & @diversforclimate/pond5; © Shutterstock/Cinematic Storm Footage/WWF; © Fer Ligabue/WWF-Brazil; © mvtstockshot/pond5; © olegbadak/pond5; © FrozenAntFilms/pond5; © Bellavista/pond5; © SteadyRux/pond5;© KsenyD/pond5; © WWF-US/Zac Shamah and Chris O’Leary Music Composed by Wishlake
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Back-to-School Tips for Eco-Smart Kids
09/02/2025
Back-to-School Tips for Eco-Smart Kids
Back-to-school season is here—and it’s the perfect time to rethink how we pack lunches, buy supplies, and teach kids about sustainability. In this episode of Nature Breaking, hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share practical, eco-friendly tips for parents, teachers, and students to reduce waste and protect nature. Then you’ll hear an in-depth success story from Lovin Elementary School in Georgia, where educators and students have cut cafeteria food waste by over 70% with the help of WWF’s Food Waste Warriors program. Gerin Hennebaul, a teacher at Lovin Elementary, joins Seth to talk through her school’s journey. From reusable lunch gear to share tables and composting, this episode is full of ideas you can bring to your own school or home. Plus, learn about WWF’s Wild Classroom resources and a new grant opportunity for educators through the Green Prints for the Future initiative. 🎧 Tune in to discover how small changes can make a big impact—and how you can help raise the next generation of eco-smart kids. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:21 Wild Guess trivia question 0:59 Intro 1:58 Seth and Hayley back to school memories 4:47 Back-to-school eco tips 9:53 WWF resources for educators 12:39 Interview with Gerin Hennebaul, a teacher involved in Food Waste Warriors 14:01 Background about Lovin Elementary School 17:00 How Lovin Elementary got started with Food Waste Warriors 22:11 Which solutions worked best to avoid food waste? 28:06 The “share table” 32:15 Composting program 33:53 Total impact of Food Waste Warriors 35:45 Closing summary 36:53 Wild Guess trivia answer
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Bringing Buffalo Back: A Native-Led Story of Hope and Healing
07/08/2025
Bringing Buffalo Back: A Native-Led Story of Hope and Healing
Once nearly wiped out, the plains bison, or buffalo, as they are often called by Native Americans, are returning to the Great Plains — and with them, a powerful story of cultural renewal, ecological restoration, and Indigenous leadership. In this episode of Nature Breaking, WWF’s Heather Dawn Thompson (a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) shares how Native Nations are leading efforts to restore buffalo populations, reclaim food sovereignty, and heal the land. From spiritual connections to practical conservation, this interview explores how buffalo are more than just wildlife — they are relatives, providers, and symbols of resilience. Learn about the Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration, the role of buffalo in grassland ecosystems, and how communities are working together to bring these iconic animals home. 🎧 Listen in and be inspired by a story that’s still unfolding — one rooted in tradition, science, and hope. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:26 Intro 2:10 Heather Dawn’s background and role at WWF 7:58 History of buffalo and connection with Native Nations 10:07 Role of Heather Dawn’s family in conserving buffalo 13:00 What’s it like to see a buffalo in real life? 14:30 Buffalo harvest story 16:00 Connection between buffalo and healthy grasslands 20:16 Buffalo and food sovereignty for Native Nations 23:19 Tribal Buffalo Lifeways Collaboration 28:30 Biggest challenges to buffalo restoration
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Can Business Conserve Forests and Our Future?
06/24/2025
Can Business Conserve Forests and Our Future?
In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson sits down with Linda Walker, WWF’s senior director of corporate engagement for forests, to explore the urgent threats to global forests and the role of business in helping reverse current trends. Last month, alarming new data were released showing record-breaking tropical forest loss in 2024—an 80% increase over the previous year. Forests are critical to our planet and to us as humans, so we need to double down on efforts to stop the loss of forests where possible and more responsibly manage forests that are earmarked for production. Businesses have a big role to play because 54% of the world’s forests are managed either wholly or partly for the production of things like timber, pulp and paper, and furniture. This interview dives into how some companies are already making a difference, including by participating in Forests Forward—WWF’s flagship program for corporate leadership on forests launched in 2021. Linda and Seth also discuss what a new report, the Forests Forward Impact Report, reveals about the program’s progress and the challenges ahead. 🎧 Tune in to hear inspiring stories from the field, insights into responsible forest management, and how everyday actions—by companies and consumers—can help keep forests thriving. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:25 Intro 2:09 Linda’s favorite forest memories 5:54 Global deforestation and the role of companies in managing forests 10:56 WWF’s Forests Forward program 21:11 Impacts of the program 24:09 HP example 27:16 Interholco example 30:39 Reasons for hope 33:57 How all of us can help protect forests 36:57 Outro
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How to Make Nature Part of Your Summer Plans
06/10/2025
How to Make Nature Part of Your Summer Plans
As the school year ends and the summer season begins, it’s time to think about how to integrate nature into your summer plans. In this edition of Nature Breaking’s “Headlines & Trendlines” series, hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share personal stories and practical tips for weaving nature into your everyday life. From backyard camping and local wildlife refuges to dream destinations like Yosemite and the Great Barrier Reef, this episode is full of ideas that are inspiring and doable—whether you’re planning a big trip or just want to make the most of your weekends. Plus, we’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite ways to connect with nature during the summer? Drop a comment or email us at news@wwfus.org. Listen in and get inspired to make this your most nature-filled summer yet. Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:26 Intro 2:00 Seth & Hayley’s childhood nature experiences 6:27 Simple ways to connect with nature close to home 10:20 Bucket-list nature destinations 12:39 Outro
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How Coastal Communities Are Protecting Ocean Life
05/27/2025
How Coastal Communities Are Protecting Ocean Life
Ahead of World Oceans Day and the UN Ocean Conference, this episode of Nature Breaking explores how local communities are leading the charge in ocean conservation. Join host Seth Larson and WWF’s Shauna Mahajan as they dive into the challenges and opportunities facing the Western Indian Ocean seascape—from climate change and overfishing to innovative community-led solutions. Shauna shares inspiring stories of how coastal communities in places like Tanzania and Madagascar are using tools like microfinance and co-management to protect marine ecosystems, support sustainable development, and build climate resilience. Learn how the open-source tool Elinor is helping track and improve conservation governance, and why community-led conservation is key to achieving global goals like the 30x30 target. 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support ocean conservation! Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:24 Intro 1:56 Shauna’s background 3:51 Western Indian Ocean seascape 6:46 Ingredients for successful community-led ocean initiatives 14:44 Elinor monitoring tool 20:47 The need for sustainable finance 26:30 UN Ocean Conference 28:09 Closing thoughts 29:47 Outro
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The Clean Energy Dilemma: Mining's Impact on Nature
05/13/2025
The Clean Energy Dilemma: Mining's Impact on Nature
Accelerating the use of clean energy technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles is essential to meet global climate goals. But doing so will require dramatically increasing the global supply of copper, cobalt, lithium and graphite that play critical roles in the production of solar cells, magnets for turbines, and EV batteries. And a significant way to get those materials is through mining. That poses a potential risk to nature. In order to better understand that risk and develop strategies to balance the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure with the conservation of natural habitats, WWF commissioned a new study on the impact of mining for energy transition minerals on nature globally. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson interviews Colin Meehan, WWF’s senior director for renewable energy transitions. Colin led the development of this new study, and he shares key insights about the choices we need to make to meet global climate goals while also keeping nature intact and protecting communities. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:17 Intro 2:05 Colin’s background 3:36 How much mining will be needed for a clean energy future? 6:03 Impact of mining for clean energy materials vs. mining for fossil fuels 7:03 Impact of critical minerals mining on nature 11:25 Strategies to mitigate impacts on nature 16:06 Surprising findings in the report 19:55 How to balance concerns around mining impacts with the urgency of climate change 25:41 Outro
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Food Waste Solutions: Expert Tips to Keep Food Out of Landfills and Save Money
04/29/2025
Food Waste Solutions: Expert Tips to Keep Food Out of Landfills and Save Money
This episode explores the critical issue of food waste and its impact on our planet. Join host Seth Larson as he speaks with Pete Pearson, vice president for food loss and waste at the World Wildlife Fund, about the staggering amount of food wasted globally and its connection to environmental degradation. Discover innovative solutions and initiatives aimed at reducing food waste, including the Food Waste Warriors program in schools, the Hotel Kitchen project, and the US Food Waste Pact. Learn practical tips on how you can minimize food waste in your own home and contribute to a more sustainable future. Don't miss this insightful conversation that highlights the importance of every action we take to preserve our natural world. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:21 Intro 2:03 Food waste basics 4:27 Food Waste Warriors programs in schools 12:02 Hotel Kitchen program 19:13 US Food Waste Pact 25:25 Tips to stop food waste in your home 32:28 Federal and state policy support for food waste initiatives 37:24 Food waste reduction goals for the future 42:20 Outro
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Give an Hour for Earth: Small Actions for Big Impact on Earth Day
04/15/2025
Give an Hour for Earth: Small Actions for Big Impact on Earth Day
Join hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton in this special Earth Day episode of Nature Breaking. Discover how simple actions can make a big impact on our planet. Seth and Hayley share their personal experiences participating in WWF's "Give an Hour for Earth" campaign, offering practical ideas for how you can get involved. From jogging in nature to reducing food waste, learn how you can contribute to WWF's goal of banking 125,000 hours by April 30th. Tune in for inspiring stories, easy tips, and a deeper appreciation for Earth Day and Earth Month. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Webby Awards update 0:40 Intro 2:50 Childhood memories of Earth Day 5:26 Give an Hour for Earth activities 11:05 How small actions can make a big difference 13:56 Outro
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Transforming the Leather Industry to Combat Deforestation
04/01/2025
Transforming the Leather Industry to Combat Deforestation
Today’s episode highlights a new initiative that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of leather production. Leather, as we all know, is sourced from cattle. And right now, cattle ranching for both beef and leather production is a major driver of deforestation, particularly in biomes such as the Amazon, Cerrado and Gran Chaco. In Brazil, for example, cattle ranching drives twice as much deforestation as the production of soy, palm oil, and wood products combined. It’s a major problem that we need to overcome if we’re going to save critical ecosystems, conserve species, and secure a stable future for our planet. That’s where the Deforestation-Free Leather Fund comes in. This new initiative, launched by WWF in March, gives companies that use leather in their products a chance to make a difference. This episode features an interview with the leader of that initiative, Fernando Bellese, about what exactly he hopes the fund will achieve. Companies or individuals interested in joining this effort can get more information in the links below. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:31 Intro 2:04 Fernando’s background 4:19 Difference between sustainable vs. unsustainable leather 8:10 Why is a fund needed? 13:50 How the fund works 28:21 Why should companies get involved? 31:27 How can consumers help? 34:25 Outro
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Monarch Butterflies: Their Epic Migration & Hope for a Species in Decline
03/18/2025
Monarch Butterflies: Their Epic Migration & Hope for a Species in Decline
Each year, millions of migratory eastern monarch butterflies embark on a breathtaking 3,000-mile migration from North America to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where they hibernate in the towering Oyamel fir forests. But this iconic species is in trouble. WWF’s research conducted with conservation partners since the early 2000s shows that the eastern monarch population has been trending downward for years. And while the latest report released by WWF and the Government of Mexico found that the population nearly doubled during the 2024-2025 winter, this latest finding is still far below the long-term average. In this episode of Nature Breaking, host Seth Larson speaks with Court Whelan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Natural Habitat Adventures, about the wonders of the monarch’s migration, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts bringing hope for their future. Discover how you can help protect these incredible pollinators, from planting native milkweed to utilizing your own personal “superpower” to advance conservation efforts. Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights why monarchs are worth saving and what we can all do to ensure their survival. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:15 Intro 1:58 Court’s backstory 4:53 Monarch migration 13:42 Inside an expedition to the monarch’s winter home in Mexico 16:45 A “snow globe” of monarchs 23:10 Threats to monarchs 24:48 Why should we care about saving monarchs? 30:37 Hope for the future of monarchs 33:14 Outro
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Inspiring Wildlife Comebacks: Snow leopards, mountain gorillas & black rhinos
03/04/2025
Inspiring Wildlife Comebacks: Snow leopards, mountain gorillas & black rhinos
In this special World Wildlife Day episode of Nature Breaking’s “Headlines & Trendlines” series, hosts Seth Larson and Hayley Lawton share uplifting conservation success stories that prove we can make a difference for endangered species. Discover how mountain gorillas have rebounded from critically endangered to endangered status with populations now exceeding 1,000 in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Learn about Bhutan's remarkable 40% increase in snow leopard numbers—these elusive "Ghosts of the Mountain" are making a comeback thanks to strategic conservation efforts. We also explore how cutting-edge AI technology and camera traps are helping monitor wildlife recovery after Australia's devastating 2020 bushfires, and how black rhinos have grown from just 2,400 to over 6,000 animals through targeted conservation initiatives. These success stories demonstrate that while many species face threats from habitat loss and poaching, collaborative conservation work is creating real impact. Join us to celebrate these wildlife victories and find hope for our planet's biodiversity. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:16 Intro 1:45 Seth & Hayley’s bucket list animals to see in the wild 4:07 Mountain gorillas 7:02 Snow leopards 10:27 Ghosts of the Mountain 11:59 How AI & camera traps helped identify wildlife after Australia’s bushfire in 2020 14:36 Black rhinos 17:56 Hayley’s black rhino encounter story 19:18 Closing reflections on World Wildlife Day 21:32 Outro
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COP16 in Rome: Financing nature’s future
02/18/2025
COP16 in Rome: Financing nature’s future
Last fall, the United Nations convened a major bi-annual conference focused on protecting the world’s biodiversity – that’s the vast array of animals, plants, waters, and other natural systems that sustain our planet and our very existence. The conference, known formally as the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP16 for short, succeeded on some fronts. But it fell short in other areas, and left some critical work unfinished. In particular, the conference ended without an agreement about how the nations of the world will finance the work that needs to happen to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. So next week, the conference will reconvene in Rome, Italy, to resume those negotiations and hopefully nail down a plan to raise the funds required for nature’s future. Today’s episode features a conversation with Andrew Deutz, WWF’s managing director for global policy and partnerships. Andrew is an expert on conservation finance and he’ll walk through the key issues facing negotiators as COP16 resumes. Links for More Info: REPORT: “” CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:21 Intro 2:06 Refresher on COP16 in Colombia 4:01 Progress for Indigenous peoples 5:08 Progress on nature targets 6:28 New fund for digital sequence information 9:45 Disagreements on finance plan 13:16 How much money do we need to protect nature? 20:37 Where will nature funding come from? 22:09 Key hurdles for negotiators in Rome 27:36 What’s at stake for people in these negotiations? 30:24 Outro
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LA Wildfires: A disaster management expert on rebuilding after a tragedy
02/04/2025
LA Wildfires: A disaster management expert on rebuilding after a tragedy
Last month a series of wildfires spread across communities in Los Angeles and left a trail of destruction in their wake. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate their neighborhoods. Over 15,000 homes and other structures were burned. And at least two dozen people were killed. It’s well documented that climate change contributes to making fires like these worse. And it also exacerbates other hazards like droughts, floods, and storms. So what can local leaders in LA and in other communities in the US and around the world do in the wake of these extreme events to address systemic risks and proactively reduce catastrophic disasters? Today you’ll hear from Anita van Breda, WWF’s senior director for environment and disaster management. Anita has decades of experience working with communities affected by natural hazards, and she’ll share her insights on disaster risk management and recovery in the wake of this most recent tragedy in LA. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:21 Intro 2:03 Lessons from the 2004 tsunami 5:09 Factors that contributed to LA wildfires 8:16 Disaster recovery tips for LA and other communities 11:49 Role of nature in disaster prevention and recovery 18:19 Parting advice to community leaders 21:10 Outro
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2024 conservation wins: bison, tigers & more
01/07/2025
2024 conservation wins: bison, tigers & more
We’re kicking off the new year with another edition of Nature Breaking’s “Headlines & Trendlines.” Seth is joined once again by Hayley Lawton as they count down four of their favorite conservation wins from 2024: major progress for bison restoration, a commitment to raise $1 billion to save wild tigers, innovations in “environmental DNA” that could change the way we approach conservation, and the first-ever photograph of a rare bird species. They’ll also close with a discussion of what they’re most excited about heading into 2025. Links for More Info: CHAPTERS: 0:00 Preview 0:12 Intro 1:36 Personal milestones in 2024 3:42 Bison restoration 5:54 Raising funds to save wild tigers 7:50 Environmental DNA 10:49 New Britain Goshawk photo 12:16 Things to watch in 2025 14:41 Outro
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Plastic Pollution: UN treaty talks and corporate action
12/10/2024
Plastic Pollution: UN treaty talks and corporate action
A major UN conference to negotiate a global treaty on plastic pollution just ended without an agreement. But efforts may resume in 2025 to get a treaty over the finish line. In this two-part episode, you’ll hear first from Erin Simon, WWF’s vice president for plastic waste and business, about what happened at that conference in Korea (known as INC-5) and what comes next for the global fight against plastic pollution. Then, in Part 2, you’ll hear from Sheila Bonini, WWF’s senior vice president for private-sector engagement; and Kevin Keane, president and CEO of American Beverage (ABA) – the trade association representing the nation’s non-alcoholic beverage industry. Sheila and Kevin’s teams have been working together for the last five years to find different ways to achieve material circularity – which means that all the plastic, as well as other materials like aluminum, that get used are collected and remade into new products. Sheila and Kevin will tell us about what’s working, what hurdles still remain, and how they plan to advance their mission regardless of whether a global plastics treaty gets adopted. Links for More Info: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:24 Intro 2:22 Refresher on UN treaty process 5:39 Consensus as a weapon 8:52 What happened at INC-5 11:55 WWF’s 4 “must-haves” in a final treaty 13:53 Stumbling blocks in negotiations 17:26 Conclusion of negotiations 23:05 What happens next? 26:27 Role for companies 31:28 Interlude, Part 2 begins 33:07 Explaining the American Beverage Association 34:41 Why does ABA want to address plastic pollution? 38:08 WWF-ABA partnership 41:41 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies 46:54 Consumer awareness 48:39 ABA’s EPR principles 54:39 Building consumer confidence about recycling 56:30 Lessons for other industries 59:17 Plastic pollution is a bipartisan policy issue 01:02:41 WWF-ABA Lessons Learned 01:07:12 Outro
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Avoiding food waste on Thanksgiving (2022)
11/26/2024
Avoiding food waste on Thanksgiving (2022)
Ahead of this year's Thanksgiving holiday, today's episode revisits a conversation we originally recorded in 2022 about avoiding food waste when you get together to cook those turkeys and side dishes. This topic matters because some 316 million pounds of food is expected to go to waste this Thanksgiving alone. And when we waste food, we also waste all the water, land, and energy that went into producing it. Alex Nichols-Vinueza, WWF's director of food loss & waste, joins this episode to explain how our food system ends up wasting an estimated 40% of food produced globally (1:20). He then talks about how this problem manifests on Thanksgiving (8:07), and shares some simple steps that people can take to prevent food from going to waste during the holidays (9:04). Last, Alex talks about how schools and businesses can be partners in limiting food waste (11:52), and how changes in federal policies could drive nationwide improvements (15:30). Links for More Info:
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COP29 and the state of climate finance
11/12/2024
COP29 and the state of climate finance
This week marks the start of the annual UN climate conference, known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. COP29 is being dubbed the “finance COP” because one of the main focuses of this year’s conference will be to set a new goal for global climate finance and to lay out a plan for achieving it. The last time countries set a climate finance goal was 2009, at COP15 in Copenhagen, where wealthy nations committed to provide $100 billion annually to help developing nations deal with climate change. 15 years after the $100 billion target was established, we now know a lot more about the effects of climate change and how much it costs to address. Estimates vary on how much funding is now needed, but suffice to say that it’s a lot higher than we thought it was back in 2009. So, where will this funding come from? And what’s a reasonable new goal for countries to work toward in the years ahead? Joining me today to talk through these and other questions is Tim Juliani, WWF’s director of US corporate climate engagement. Tim is a veteran of previous climate COPs and he’ll tell us what he’s keeping an eye on heading into Baku. Links for more info: Tim Juliani bio: WWF’s COP29 Expectations Paper: Tim Juliani’s Substack, “Yet Another Climate Substack”: Chapters: 0:00 Program note 1:07 Intro 3:00 COP29 context in global process 4:59 COP15 in Copenhagen story 7:02 Definition of NDCs and stocktake 7:43 COP29 is the “finance COP” 10:17 Climate finance challenges 14:04 Finance goals at COP29 16:55 Role of companies 24:53 Goals for NDCs at COP29 28:07 Closing call to action 29:46 Outro
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Hurricanes, Nature Funding, & Pygmy Hippos
10/29/2024
Hurricanes, Nature Funding, & Pygmy Hippos
Today, rather than interviewing a WWF expert in-dept on a specific topic, we’re trying something new. Seth will be joined by Hayley Lawton from WWF’s social media team for something we’re calling: Headlines & Trendlines. You’ll hear Seth and Hayley briefly summarize some recent news articles and talk about what they mean for climate and nature. This week they discuss two big issues that are driving headlines: this year’s devastating hurricane season, and the ongoing UN biodiversity conference. They also touch on the recent pygmy hippo craze that had everyone on Earth talking about baby Moo Deng. Links for More Info: New York Times, A Tale of Two Hurricanes Finds More That Differs Than Is the Same: Vox, We need $700 billion to save nature: WWF pygmy hippo facts: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:27 Intro 2:25 Hayley introduces herself 4:10 NY Times hurricane article 5:56 Hayley & Seth react to recent hurricanes 9:28 Vox nature finance article 10:36 $700b is a lot of money 12:28: COP16 outcomes 13:25 Moo Deng and pygmy hippo facts 15:23 Outro
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Could CBD COP16 be a turning point for nature?
10/15/2024
Could CBD COP16 be a turning point for nature?
Next week global leaders will convene in Cali, Colombia for an important meeting: the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16). You’re probably more familiar with the climate COP that happens every year, but the biodiversity COP is a critical forum for addressing the loss of nature. Two years ago, at COP15 in Montreal, the nations of the world agreed to a new Global Biodiversity Framework, which set a goal to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Next week’s meeting in Colombia is the first opportunity to take stock of progress and commit to implementation at scale. Joining the show today to tell us more about COP16 and what’s at stake is Lucía Ruiz, WWF’s director for conservation areas. Lucía will be attending the conference in Colombia next week and is going to help us understand what needs to happen, and what success looks like, at this important meeting. Links for More Info: Lucía Ruiz bio: CBD COP16 explainer: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:29 Intro 2:17 Lucía’s background and personal story 6:54 History of the Convention on Biological Diversity 12:10 Importance of CBD COPs 13:59 Context for CBD COP16 17:20 What happened at CBD COP15 in 2022? 22:22 Explaining the 30x30 target 27:36 Role of PFPs 28:27 State of play heading into COP16 33:26 What does success look like? 36:11 Fun facts about Colombia 39:28 Outro
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Living Planet Report reveals catastrophic wildlife decline
10/10/2024
Living Planet Report reveals catastrophic wildlife decline
In today’s special bonus episode of Nature Breaking you’ll hear all about WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report. This bi-annual report functions as a check-up on the health of the Earth. Underpinning the report is the Living Planet Index, which monitors populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish around the world. This year the report found that monitored wildlife populations declined by an average of 73% since 1970. Importantly, this year’s report also reveals that the Earth stands on the verge of tipping points for tropical forests and coral reefs that could have severe consequences for people and nature everywhere. Joining the show to explain the Living Planet Report is Dr. Rebecca Shaw, WWF’s chief scientist. Rebecca will walk us through the methodology of the report, what its key findings really mean for wildlife and ecosystems, and what we all can do together to put our planet on a more sustainable pathway. Links for More Info: Rebecca Shaw bio: 2024 Living Planet Report: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:23 Intro 2:09 LPR basics & key findings 4:42 Reasons for wildlife decline 5:51 Why should we care? 7:55 Tipping points explainer 10:21 Amazon rain forest tipping point 12:22 Rebecca’s story about living in the Amazon 13:49 Amazon tipping point continued 14:54 LPR species example: parrotfish 18:09 History of the LPR 20:56 How to reverse the loss of wildlife and nature 28:12 Message to leaders at CBD COP16 32:58 Outro
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A plan for more sustainable food
10/01/2024
A plan for more sustainable food
Global food production is a key driver behind both climate change and the loss of species and ecosystems. In fact, it’s responsible for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and over two-thirds of global habitat and biodiversity losses. That’s because unsustainable food production too often leads to the destruction of forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems in order to produce more food. So how do we create a more sustainable food system? Joining the show today is Dr. Jason Clay, Executive Director of WWF’s Markets Institute. Jason has decades of experience working with companies to find innovative ways to make their supply chains more sustainable, and today he’ll be explaining his latest initiative: Codex Planetarius. In short, Codex Planetarius aims to establish global environmental standards to limit the harm caused by the production of globally traded food. The idea draws inspiration from Codex Alimentarius, the international code of health and safety standards for food established in the mid-20th century. I In this interview, Jason explains how his career journey evolved from human rights to conservation (with help from the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry’s along the way), and how Codex Planetarius could establish new global norms for food production that help us feed the world without destroying it. Links for More Info: Jason Clay bio: Codex Planetarius homepage: WEB STORY: Codex Planetarius: Increasing Global Food Sustainability and Resilience: Chapters: 0:00 Preview 0:21 Intro 2:09 Jason’s childhood 4:13 Saving the rain forest with the Grateful Dead and Ben & Jerry’s 8:08 Tracy Chapman story 9:13 How the global food system works 12:06 Sustainable vs. unsustainable food production 15:16 Codex Planetarius basics 17:56 Growth of the global food trade 21:05 Limits of voluntary standards 24:08 How to pay for Codex Planetarius 28:59 How to implement Codex Planetarius 35:58 Addressing cost concerns 38:49 What comes next? 40:51 Outro
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