Seacology is a charitable organization headquartered in Berkeley, CA that works to preserve island ecosystems and cultures around the world, as well as conducting annual educational ecotourism trips. Founded in 1991 with the work of ethnobotanist Paul Alan Cox,  the high risk of extinction for island fauna and the decline in coral reef ecosystems drives Seacology's focus on projects in which villagers agree to help protect living nature for a specified time in return for things like new buildings, electricity, clean water, or other services - and they work with local businesses to make that happen. 

To date, Seacology has completed:

• 441 Projects
• in 70 Countries
• with 1.5 million acres protected

Plus, they helped construct new facilities and provided programs including educational materials, vital medical services, and environmental training. In addition to helping local people on islands like those in Fiji, the Philippines, and Samoa, their projects have helped protect mangrove forests, sea turtles, and one of the rarest primates in the world. Seacology also awards an annual Prize to indigenous islanders for their efforts in conservation and cultural preservation. It has won the United Nations Climate Secretariat's Momentum for Change climate action award, was nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, and was the top recipient last year of the $250K Lipman Family Prize for outstanding vision, inspiration and impact. 

During our conversation, he talks about the importance of local involvement in conservation efforts. He points out the importance of building trust with local communities, often through cultural exchanges and understanding. A key thread during our hour long conversation is the importance of valuing nature for its ongoing services rather than extracting it for short-term gains.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

This conversation is a lead up  to the annual Sea Turtle Week each June, which kicks off with World Ocean Day June 8th and ends on the 16, Sea Turtle Week. 7 sea turtle species are highlighted each day along with one of the threats they face. Join Brad Nahill’s See Turtle organization and more than 150 global partners in raising awareness for sea turtles and our ocean planet. SEE Turtles is the organizer of Sea Turtle Week starting on June 8th with World Ocean Day. These are days used to honor and highlight the importance of sea turtles. Not only are sea turtles beautiful animals, but they also show incredible perseverance and resiliency – after all, they have been nesting on beaches for millions of years. 

In this episode, we speak with the President of the organization SEE Turtles - and note that it is spelled SEE, not Sea. Brad has worked in sea turtle conservation, ecotourism, and environmental education for 20 years. For these efforts, he received the prestigious Changemakers Award from the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2019 on behalf of the organization SEE Turtles. 

Brad is the editor and lead writer of Sea Turtle Research and Conservation: Lessons From The Field published in (2020) and a co-author of the Worldwide Travel Guide to Sea Turtles published in 2014). He is a National Geographic Explorer, was awarded the President’s Award for his work as the chair of the Awards Committee of the International Sea Turtle Society, has authored several book chapters, blogs, and abstracts on turtle conservation and ecotourism, and has presented at major travel conferences and sea turtle symposia. 

Brad has a BS in Environmental Economics from Penn State University and has taught ecotourism at Mount Hood Community College in Oregon. He has been director of SEE Turtles since its founding and became President after the organization became an independent nonprofit organization in 2016.

Here we talk with Brad about the organization's history, challenges faced by sea turtles, and their conservation efforts, including the use of turtle excluder devices and a new app to identify illegal sea turtle products. 

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Flukes International and is the 2nd half of an Earth Day 2025 conversation we had with Ralph Chami who is Co-Founder/CEO of Blue Green Future, a large team of innovators and thought leaders for natural capital finance and a nature-based economy. Ralph has over 32 years of experience as a financial economist, 25 of those years at the (IMF - the International Monetary Fund). That’s coming up next, right after we hear from Zack Klyver of Flukes International.

Zack is also working with Blue Green Future and helped arrange this Earth Day 2025 conversation with Ralph Chami. And in this 2 part conversation, Ralph spoke with us about the importance of connecting people with nature and forging a new contract for sustainable prosperity and well-being. In part 1, he explained the disconnect between the nature system and the market system, emphasizing the need to make living nature visible and valuable to markets. Ralph argues that by demonstrating the financial value of nature living for itself, such as whales and elephants providing ecosystem services, we can engage the market system in protecting and restoring nature. He highlights the urgency of this mindset shift, given the limited time to address environmental challenges.

We join now halfway through our conversation as he begins speaking about their work in the Amazon with Gaia Amazones founded by Dr. Martín von Hildebrand and run by his son, Francisco or Pacho. Plus, more on what Blue Green Future is doing for the restoration of bison (and why) with the indigenous people in Montana, USA.

See more of what Blue Green Future is doing through YouTube videos posted by one of their co-founders, Dinah Nieberg https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dinah+Nieburg

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

What if we could see the invisible? The magnificent blue whale, stretching 110 feet long through ocean depths, remains completely invisible to our economic systems—until it's killed. In this profound Earth Day conversation with Ralph Chami, we discover how reconnecting our market systems with living nature might be our most powerful tool for planetary healing. 

Chami draws from his 32 years as a financial economist, including 25 at the International Monetary Fund, to explain the fundamental disconnect between our nature system and market system. While markets expertly value dead nature—oil, timber, harvested fish—they remain blind to living nature's immense worth. This blindness stems from catastrophic assumptions made during the Age of Reason: that nature is infinite, mechanical, and soulless.

Through groundbreaking research on whales, forest elephants, and seagrass meadows, Chami demonstrates how living ecosystems provide astonishing financial value. When tiger sharks wearing cameras mapped the Bahamas seagrass—revealing meadows worth potentially $150 billion—it transformed how this small island nation viewed its natural assets. Rather than destroying nature for short-term gain, vulnerable communities worldwide are discovering sustainable prosperity through conservation.

Climate change requires both reducing emissions ("shutting the valve") and removing existing atmospheric carbon ("draining the tub"). Nature restoration offers our most powerful carbon capture technology, creating economic opportunities that align financial and ecological interests. From Native American bison restoration to Polynesian whale protection initiatives, Chami shares inspiring projects creating virtuous cycles of environmental and community well-being.

The vision is clear: forge a new contract where markets recognize living nature's true value, creating sustainable prosperity while repairing our relationship with our only home. As climate impacts increasingly affect insurance markets, real estate values, and business operations, this approach offers hope beyond fear. Join us in exploring how making nature visible might save both it and ourselves in the process.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

Our guest today is from Nigeria, Africa - a dynamic scientist who is dedicating his life to helping communities in the Global South do something about the enormous amounts of waste, specifically plastic waste, that is being exported by higher income countries to lower income countries. The name of the non-profit organization is CAPws for Community Action Against Plastic Waste. His name is Hahmed Cee-amiyu, a Research Scientist advancing a toxic-free Plastic, Chemicals and Waste Policy| and Community-based Zero Waste Economy. 

He is passionate about driving impactful environmental policies and global cooperation on chemicals, waste, and pollution control. He currently serves as Executive Director at CAPws and as a Senior Policy Advisor on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to the Nigerian National Assembly House Committee on Environment.

His work has shaped key national policies, including the Nigeria National Environmental (Plastic Waste) Regulation 2023, and he actively contributes to international efforts through roles in the (Bahzel) Basel Convention’s Expert Group on Plastic Waste and the PREVENT Waste Alliance Steering Committee (launched by Germany’s BMZ). Part of the honorable actions the BMZ does is that it supports developing countries efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to the consequences of climate change

 Hamed is also an accredited observer to major UN environmental processes, including the Global Plastic Treaty INC, Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, Minamata Convention, SAICM The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management , GFC the United Nations Global Framework on Chemicals , UNCCaD - the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, an international agreement focused on addressing land degradation, and drought, particularly in regions like Africa. and UNFCCC the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

He thrives at the intersection of science, policy, and advocacy and builds bridges across stakeholders to shape an equitable, more sustainable future.

Our conversation with him is enlightening, entertaining, and sobering. But he leaves us with an inspiring message for youth around the world.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

In today’s episode we talk with Susanne Brander, an Ecotoxicologist who is 1 of 12 core steering committee members overseeing 300 international scientific experts within the International Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty who are assisting with Navigating the Complexities of Plastics. 

An Ecotoxicologist as Susanne mentions is a toxicologist who focuses on fish and wildlife and makes links between what's happening in the environment with what might affect human health.

Brander is also an Associate Professor at OSU (Oregon State University) in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, and part of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station and is based at the The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport Oregon.

The Scientists Coalition delivers science based information to the delegates within the United Nations who aren't scientists, but need to understand the science. These scientists distill what is in numerous peer reviewed papers some of which might need investigation for accuracy. 

The coalition is comprised of ecotoxicologists like Brander, along with Chemists, social scientists, experts in environmental law among other scientific backgrounds who working together to give their an informed opinion on what the best outcome for the treaty would be, and what science data should inform those decisions made during negotiating meetings.

175 nations are currently represented in this Global Treaty on Plastics, but they won't all necessarily be part of the the treaty, as they won't all sign (for example, she says, "the US is notorious for participating but not actually signing anything." 

Brander said that it's the people on the policy and environmental law side of things who feel that a minimum of 50 countries signing could hopefully move it forward to the next stages, to implementation.

When she talks about HIGHER AMBITION COUNTRIES - she is talking about those countries interested in things like chemical regulation, regulation of microplastics shedding from products, and safer and sustainable products.

Those that aren't among the Higher Ambition Countries are those countries (mostly petroleum-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and the US) which are more focused on waste management and recycling. But after decades of seeing this not work, there has to be a better way. 

Transparency is key: what chemicals are used.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

This episode includes a radio show we recorded a year ago, April 2024, when we talked about the March 28, 2024 Declaration for the Ocean signed by Indigenous leaders of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, and Easter Island. This treaty declared whales to be legal persons with inherent rights, including the right to freedom of movement, a healthy environment, and the ability to thrive alongside humanity. Signed by chiefs from the island nations, as well as king of the Māori and president of the High Chiefs of the Cook Islands). The Māori King stated: “Ultimately, this is a declaration for future generations.This partnership will establish a marine recovery plan that will accelerate the recovery of populations of sacred species, from whales to sea lions, dolphins, and manta rays.”

This declaration draws upon the traditions of the Māori worldview and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things. Recognizing the urgent threats whales face from unsustainable practices, pollution, and climate change, the declaration outlines a plan for their protection, including establishing marine protected areas and implementing customary restrictions guided by ancestral wisdom. 

Co-Hosts Scott & Tree Mercer have dedicated their lives to ocean awareness & observation, & have run a whale census program for the past 12 years. They report daily findings along the Northern CA coasts of Sonoma & Mendocino counties to places like Cal Academy of Science in San Francisco, the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, the Noyo Center for Marine Science in Fort Bragg, & the LA Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. Tree taught biology for 34 years on Long Island, NY. Scott began researching marine mammals in 1974. He's flown aerial surveys & studied humpback, finback, & North Atlantic right whales, along with co-founding the Briar Island Ocean Study Research Station on Briar Island, Nova Scotia. He led winter expeditions in the British Virgin Islands for humpback whales & coral reef studies, & co-wrote the Great Whale Book.

Ralph Chami, Founder & Director of Blue-Green Future & Rebalance Earth, former Assoc. Dir. of the IMF is also showcased. He inspired us to create & launch this podcast last Sept, 4 years after he was a guest speaker on the Ocean Life Symposium we simulcast on public radio & YouTube. Chami is a financial economist who is helping to create markets around nature that protect nature in perpetuity.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

In this episode of the Resilient Earth podcast, we talk with Dr. Judith Weis, a marine pollution expert and professor emerita at Rutgers University about the critical issues surrounding marine pollution, including the various sources of pollution, the importance of estuaries and marshlands, and the impact of climate change on ocean health. Dr. Weis also shares insights from her recently published second edition of 'Marine Pollution: What Everyone Needs to Know,' highlighting the growing concern over microplastics and the significant improvements in the New York / New Jersey Harbor area, which has been designated as a Hope Spot for marine conservation by Dr. Sylvia Earle's organization, Mission Blue. Book is published by Oxford University press.

We delve into critical environmental issues, with a focus on coral bleaching, the impact of microplastics on photosynthesis, and the historical context of fish tumors. We also address the regulatory changes affecting water quality, the long-term effects of oil spills, and the implications of climate change on marine life, particularly sea turtles. We also discuss the importance of ocean acidification, conservation efforts, and the role of scientists in shaping environmental policy amidst concerns over budget cuts and regulations.

takeaways

• Marine pollution encompasses various types, including nutrient, metal, and oil pollution.
• Microplastics have become a significant focus in marine pollution research.
• Estuaries and marshes serve as vital ecosystems for marine life.
• The Clean Water Act has led to significant improvements in water quality.
• Coral reefs are crucial for food security in tropical regions.
• Climate change is causing coral bleaching and threatening marine ecosystems.
• Public awareness and education are essential for marine conservation efforts.
• Restoration of marshes can help combat climate change by absorbing CO2.
• The New York Harbor has seen a remarkable recovery in biodiversity.
• Microplastics disrupt photosynthesis, impacting the food chain.
• Fish tumors were prevalent in the 70s but are less common now.
• Regulatory changes can negatively affect water quality.
• Oil spills have lasting effects on marine ecosystems.
• Climate change poses serious threats to marine life.
• Sea turtles' sex determination is temperature-dependent.
• Ocean acidification makes it harder for shell-forming animals.
• Conservation efforts are crucial for endangered species.
• Scientists play a vital role in environmental policy.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

Our guest this week is Rachel Labbe-Bellas, founder of Montreal Canada-based O’Land Stations which hydrates the world's largest entertainment events & venues with profit-oriented cylindrical water stations that reduce single use plastic - one of the biggest issues now facing our planet. 

It’s quite the success story, from launching right at the beginning of the pandemic - when most all major events were cancelled, pivoting during that time, and now gaining their stride as they have hit the ground running with a solution for reducing single use plastics, specifically at large events, from sports to music to conferences and events of all types where clean, cold, and quick delivery of water for an attending public is needed, and where it is also an economical tool for the event host or the event organizers. They’re building an economy around an enormous plastics pollution problem. 

Rachel shares her journey from marine biology to entrepreneurship, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the success of her company in promoting sustainability at large events. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships and data-driven solutions in creating a more sustainable future. We discuss role of host cities for major events like the FIFA World Cup, the innovative solutions for water dispensing, the impact of their efforts in reducing single-use plastics, logistics of delivering water stations, the dynamics of market demand, and the unique offerings of their business model. The conversation also touches on manufacturing challenges, expansion plans.

Rachel has traveled the world and earned a biology degree from McGill University in Quebec, and a Master’s in ecology degree in Brazil. She’s a quadrilingual and has lived in Panama, Barbados, Italy, Philippines, and Brazil, studying tropical ecology. She worked 7 years at 5 Gyres institute as a science programs and development manager, and a corporate relations manager. She worked as a Development Coordinator for Dr. Sylvia Earle at Mission Blue, and was also a science research associate at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. Dec 2015, she was part of 14 women from around the globe who set sail for 19 days to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. Their mission was to explore the issue of plastics, chemicals, endocrine disruptors and carcinogens in our personal and global environment. That was the eXXpedition project along the Amazon coastline to raise awareness about ocean plastic pollution and inspire action. 

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.

Carl talks about the pressing issue of ocean plastics and his organization's efforts to combat this global crisis. They discuss the origins of OpenOcean's Global, the facts and myths surrounding ocean plastics, and the innovative solutions being implemented worldwide. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration, citizen science, and the need for systemic change to address plastic pollution effectively. They explore the challenges of recycling, the health risks associated with plastics, and innovative solutions for cleanup and prevention. 

takeaways

• OpenOcean's Global aims to aggregate and visualize ocean data.
• Plastic pollution is a significant global challenge, with 75% found on shorelines.
• The majority of ocean plastic originates from a few countries with poor waste management.
• Citizen science plays a crucial role in gathering data on ocean plastics.
• Understanding the flow of plastic waste is essential for effective intervention.
• The UN Treaty on Plastics faces challenges from key countries.
• Our ocean plastic map allows citizen scientists to report pollution.
• Plastic pollution significantly impacts marine life and ecosystems.
• Plastic production is expected to triple by 2040, worsening the crisis.
• There are over 4,000 hazardous chemicals found in plastics.
• Plastic in homes contributes to increased fire risks during wildfires.
• Identifying the source of plastic pollution is crucial for solutions.
• Innovative toolkits can help communities track plastic sources.

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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We still have time to make a positive impact on the future of life on this planet.