🌿 'An Inconvenient Truth' - 2026 Australia edition - we've been doing nature wrong and it's time to change

Visakhan Vythilingam partnered with Leon Wiesner to discuss and break down the updated Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – Australia’s biggest environmental and nature law reform in decades and importantly its implications on productivity.

For too long Australia it’s been in productivity crisis. We look at labour, interest rates, business efficiency – recently AI, all while exploiting loopholes and complacency with our broken environmental laws. Our research for the podcast was also inspired by former Secretary to the Australian Treasury Ken Henry, an ardent advocate for improved national environmental laws. Beyond renewable energy rollouts, governance mechanisms at state and federal government level and addressing land clearing - these laws have the potential to enable systemic change and improve the lives of all Australians.

(Disclaimer: Views expressed in the podcast and snippets are that of the individuals and are not spoken on behalf of any Australian government entities)

Most of us try to recycle the right way—but even small misunderstandings can undo the effort. Maybe it’s that oily pizza box you weren’t sure about, the yogurt pot you tossed in without rinsing, or the plastic tray with no symbol. In this episode, we talk honestly about what really belongs in the recycling bin, the problems caused by “wishcycling,” and where your waste actually ends up. It’s not about perfection—just practical steps that make your recycling count.

What You’ll Hear
00:00 Welcome
01:00 Why Sorting Your Waste Properly Makes a Real Difference
03:45 A Clear Look at What Happens to Your Rubbish After Collection
08:15 Everyday Recycling Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
14:55 Quick, Doable Changes You Can Start Using Today
19:50 Final Takeaways

This episode of EnviroEducate dives into the story of Ryan Gellert, the CEO of Patagonia, and how he helped transform one of the world’s most iconic outdoor brands into a model for purpose-driven business.

From his early days scaling mountains in the Dolomites to steering Patagonia through its bold decision to give itself away, turning all profits into funding for environmental protection, Gellert’s journey challenges everything we think we know about success, leadership, and capitalism.

We’ll unpack his philosophy of humility and stewardship, and how Patagonia’s mantra, “The Earth is our only shareholder” , is reshaping what it means for companies to thrive in a time of climate crisis. You’ll hear how Gellert and founder Yvon Chouinard reimagined profit not as an end goal, but as a means to regenerate the planet, protect communities, and inspire a new generation of ethical entrepreneurs.

And most importantly, we’ll explore what this means for you, how small, intentional actions like buying consciously, protecting local ecosystems, and using your voice for change can turn purpose into progress. Because these aren’t just feel-good gestures; they help you live with greater alignment between your values and your daily choices.Link to the weekly 'The Planet Perspective' Newsletter⁠ featuring a different global changemaker each week, from prime ministers to advocacy leaders, and exploring their positive impact on society. Each edition shares one inspiring story starting from their early journey, one powerful insight into their philosophy, and real actions you can take to lead with purpose and create change in a rapidly evolving world.Disclaimer: This newsletter is for educational and editorial purposes only. It reflects publicly available information and independent commentary. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some quotations or anecdotes are paraphrased or interpreted from public interviews.

This episode of EnviroEducate explores the story and philosophy of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister who redefined leadership by putting empathy at the heart of governance.

From her early days in small-town New Zealand to leading her country through crises like the Christchurch attacks and COVID-19, Ardern showed that compassion and strength aren’t opposites, they’re partners. We’ll unpack how her government’s Wellbeing Budget and net-zero climate law reshaped what progress can mean in the 21st century, measuring success not by GDP, but by the wellbeing of people and planet.

We’ll reflect on what Ardern’s leadership model teaches us in a divided world: how empathy can coexist with evidence-based decision-making, and why the future belongs to leaders, and citizens, who choose care over cynicism.

And finally, you’ll walk away with actionable steps inspired by Ardern’s example, from practicing empathy in your daily life, to aligning your choices with community and planetary wellbeing.

Link to the weekly 'The Planet Perspective' Newsletter⁠ featuring a different global changemaker each week, from prime ministers to advocacy leaders, and exploring their positive impact on society. Each edition shares one inspiring story starting from their early journey, one powerful insight into their philosophy, and real actions you can take to lead with purpose and create change in a rapidly evolving world.Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and editorial purposes only. It reflects publicly available information and independent commentary. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some quotations or anecdotes are paraphrased or interpreted from public interviews.

In this episode of EnviroEducate, we dive into Bill Gates’ latest reflections ahead of COP30, a call to shift how we measure climate success. Rather than focusing only on temperature targets, Gates argues that true progress lies in improving human welfare, through access to clean energy, resilient agriculture, and better health systems.

We unpack his two major priorities for global climate action:
1️⃣ Driving the Green Premium to zero, making clean technologies as affordable and practical as fossil fuels.
2️⃣ Being rigorous about impact, investing in solutions that deliver the greatest benefit for people and the planet.

Link to Bill Gates's 'Three Tough Truths About Climate Change Memo

Link to the weekly 'The Planet Perspective' Newsletter featuring a different global changemaker each week, from prime ministers to advocacy leaders, and exploring their positive impact on society. Each edition shares one inspiring story starting from their early journey, one powerful insight into their philosophy, and real actions you can take to lead with purpose and create change in a rapidly evolving world.

In this episode of EnviroEducate, we unpack what’s at stake as the world heads toward COP30 in Belém, Brazil, a landmark moment marking 10 years since the Paris Agreement.

We explore why COP30 isn’t just another climate conference but a pivotal turning point for global climate action, geopolitical cooperation, and climate justice. From the existential threats faced by Pacific island nations to the growing tension, and potential collaboration, between major powers like the U.S., China, and India, we dive into the political and human dimensions of the climate crisis.

You’ll also learn about the five key priorities shaping the summit, from updated national climate plans (NDCs) and adaptation implementation, to the Loss and Damage Fund, climate finance reform, and the global shift from promises to real-world action.

By the end, we reflect on what this all means for you, why the decisions made in Belém will influence everything from the energy you use to the opportunities shaping a sustainable future.

Link to the weekly 'The Planet Perspective' Newsletter⁠ featuring a different global changemaker each week, from prime ministers to advocacy leaders, and exploring their positive impact on society. Each edition shares one inspiring story starting from their early journey, one powerful insight into their philosophy, and real actions you can take to lead with purpose and create change in a rapidly evolving world.

In this episode, conservation ecologist Dr. Matthew Luskin takes us deep into the rainforests of Southeast Asia — a region where oil palm plantations, endangered tigers, and global supply chains collide. From trekking through the wild to building massive open-data projects, Matthew reveals how cutting-edge technology and community partnerships are reshaping the way we understand and protect biodiversity.

We explore how camera traps, machine learning, and long-term field research are helping scientists uncover hidden patterns in wildlife behaviour — and how those insights can drive smarter, fairer conservation decisions. But beyond the science, Matthew shares a powerful message: that saving nature depends on how we share information, design solutions, and empower local people.

Originally recorded as part of the UQ Sustainability Innovators Club’s Biodiversity Hackathon, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to turn innovation, data, and passion into real impact for the planet.

In this thought-provoking episode, world-renowned conservation scientist Hugh Possingham offers a sweeping overview of the global biodiversity crisis, from the staggering rate of species loss to the untapped economic and social opportunities in protecting nature. Drawing on decades of experience as Chief Scientist of The Nature Conservancy, Possingham unpacks powerful stories of real-world change: how Kenyan farmers are restoring water quality through incentive-based models, how Chilean fishers rebuilt collapsed stocks by redefining ownership, and how coral reefs are being insured like buildings to safeguard coastlines.

But this isn’t just a story of ecosystems, it’s about people. Possingham explores how empowering communities, creating equitable markets, and shifting behaviours are central to reversing biodiversity decline. With humour and clarity, he challenges us to rethink philanthropy, health, and our own relationship with the natural world.

Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of ecology, economics, and human behaviour, and discover why saving nature is as much about changing minds as it is about protecting species.

Food shapes our world — yet nearly 800 million people go to bed hungry while one-third of all food produced is wasted. At the same time, climate change is putting global food systems under unprecedented strain. Enter the World Food Forum (WFF): a youth-led, action-oriented network of innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers driving sustainable, inclusive, and equitable food systems.

In this episode, we’re joined by Giacomo Di Capua, Co-Founder of the Italy Chapter of the WFF Advisory Committee. He walks us through how the Forum empowers young changemakers, fosters innovation, and connects diverse stakeholders to tackle the pressing challenges of food security and sustainability. From startup success stories to hands-on transformation working groups, listeners will discover actionable ways to contribute — no matter their background.

What we discuss:

00:00 Introduction and why WFF matters

03:00 Global challenges and Italy chapter focus

07:30 WFF structure and youth-led innovation

11:35 Projects, outputs, and how to get involved

15:30 Practical steps for listeners

19:35 Vision for future food systems

Climate change isn’t just happening—it’s happening to us. But there’s good news: adaptation isn’t only for governments and big organizations. Every individual has a role to play. In this episode of EnviroEducate, we break down what climate adaptation means and how you can take real, practical steps to build resilience in your own community.

You’ll discover:

• How the Netherlands’ Delta Programme shows the power of forward planning—and what local communities can learn from it.

• How climate-resilient crops are transforming food security in Africa, inspiring everyday choices around sustainable diets and food sourcing.

• How cities like Paris and New York are cooling urban spaces—and how you can apply similar ideas at home, from rooftop gardens to heat-resilient design.

We connect global innovation to everyday action, offering clear takeaways you can start today: reduce flood risk in your neighborhood, support local adaptation projects, and rethink how you consume energy and food.

Perfect for anyone who wants to move beyond awareness and into action, this episode empowers listeners to become part of the global shift toward a climate-resilient future—one decision at a time.