Bill Gates recently claimed that protecting nature or improving human health is an either-or choice, but former national leaders like Russ Feingold, a retired U.S. Senator, and Mary Robinson, former Ireland President, disagree. As chair of the Global Steering Committee of the Campaign for Nature, a nonprofit organization uniting prominent politicians in support of nature protection, Feingold emphasizes that supporting both nature and people is essential, and that these are not mutually exclusive goals.

On this episode of Mongabay's podcast, Feingold discusses the campaign's mission and why he believes nonpartisan conservation efforts are essential.

" We need to work as citizens — not as Democrats or Republicans — but as citizens, to say 'Whatever else you think, let's do this together,'" he says.

The Mongabay Newscast is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify, and all previous episodes are accessible at our website's podcast page.

Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast, here.

Mike DiGirolamo is a host & associate producer for Mongabay based in Sydney. He co-hosts and edits the Mongabay Newscast. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky.

Image Credit: Former Senator Russ Feingold. Image courtesy of the Campaign for Nature.

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Timecodes

(00:00) Former Senator Russ Feingold

(03:48) The Campaign for Nature

(08:56) Feingold's connection to nature

(14:55) Concerns regarding Indigenous rights in 30x30

(27:13) Thoughts on Bill Gates

(29:15) Fighting authoritarianism and oligarchy

(33:48) What people can do