What does it take to truly finance nature with integrity?

In this episode, Troy Carter speaks with Oliver Bolton, Co-Founder of Earthly, about the realities of building trust in a market that’s often misunderstood. They discuss the gap between ambition and action, why public perception of carbon credits has become so negative, and how to separate high-quality projects from the noise.

Oliver shares his personal journey — from becoming a B Corp founder to dedicating his career to nature after the birth of his son — and why trust and data have become central to Earthly’s mission. Together, Troy and Oliver explore the promise of biodiversity credits, the role of technology like bioacoustics MRV, and how businesses can engage authentically with nature.

If you’re interested in how climate finance is evolving, what’s slowing it down, and where real hope lies, this conversation offers an honest window into the challenges and bright spots of nature markets today.

John Paul (JP) Moscarella

Co-Founder @ CoolPact Capital & Resilient Earth Capital | Scaling Climate Tech with $1.5B+ in Investments mobilized | Cleantech Pioneer | Carbon credits Pioneer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpmoscarella/

Summary:

In this episode of the EarthShot podcast, Troy Carter speaks with JP Moscarella, a veteran in the carbon markets sector, about the evolution of carbon markets over the past three decades. They discuss JP's journey into the field, the lessons learned from past experiences, and the current complexities surrounding compliance and demand in carbon markets. The conversation also touches on the balance between scientific rigor and simplicity in methodologies, the societal engagement needed for effective climate action, and the perception of carbon markets in today's world. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of creating a culture of sustainability and the need for collective action to address climate change.

Takeaways:

JP Moscarella's journey into carbon markets began in the late 80s.

The 1990s served as a pilot phase for carbon markets.

Compliance and demand signals are crucial for market success.

The complexity of compliance across jurisdictions poses challenges.

There is a need for a balance between rigor and simplicity in methodologies.

Societal engagement is essential for the success of nature-based solutions.

Carbon markets are often viewed skeptically, impacting their effectiveness.

Creating a culture of sustainability is vital for future success.

The perception of carbon markets as a scam hinders progress.

Innovative technologies and community involvement are key to advancing carbon markets.

Chapters:

00:00 The Origins of Carbon Markets

07:05 The Evolution of Carbon Market Regulations

12:41 Lessons from 30 Years of Carbon Markets

19:11 The Shift to Voluntary Carbon Markets

22:58 Balancing Rigor and Simplicity in Carbon Projects

25:10 Empowering Local Communities in Project Ownership

26:04 Advancements in Data and Community Engagement

27:30 Connecting Local Economies to Carbon Markets

29:28 The Evolution of Carbon Markets and Public Sentiment

31:18 The Current State of Nature and Environmental Awareness

33:30 The Role of Corporations and Societal Engagement

35:01 The Intersection of Spirituality and Environmentalism

37:23 The Importance of Collective Goals and Community Spirit

39:41 Carbon Credits as an Asset Class

42:37 Overcoming Skepticism and Building Trust

45:12 The Need for Compelling Stories in Sustainability

48:36 The Future of Technology and Environmental Solutions

Lynn Murphy & Alnoor Ladha - Post-Capitalist Philanthropy

“Doing the decolonizing, deprogramming, deconditioning, unlearning work, as well as thinking non-laterally and moving the dominant ontology and dominant cosmology from this rationalist-separatist-materialist worldview to one that's more relational, more quantum, more queer, more based on interbeing, is going to open up vistas of possibility that we can't even imagine from our current vantage point.” -Alnoor Ladha“We’re looking at how do we liberate capital and alchemize wealth in service of life,if you understand the structure how capital markets function they are not in service to life, and they aren’t often looked at through a framework of liberation “-Lynne Murphy

In this episode, host Armando Davila interviews Lynn Murphy and Alnoor Ladha of Transition Resource Circle about our world’s necessary shift beyond late-stage capitalism. This vibrant and out-of-the-box conversation starts with exploring our current economy and why leaving the house of capitalist modernity over the next ten to twenty years is crucial. Then the fun really begins when Lynn and Alnoor Ladha paint a picture of how this shift might look and the tools they are using to catalyze this transition. This radical conversation will open your mind to new ideas and possibilities for shifting beyond capitalism and creating a sustainable future.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Transition Resource Circle: www.transitionresourcecircle.org,

Post Capitalist Philanthropy Book: https://www.postcapitalistphilanthropy.org/

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“Restoration is not just about planting trees or about making an area look beautiful again. It's about recreating a social ecological system that is more resilient and is more aligned with natural processes.” -Robin Chazdon

This episode features legendary ecologist Robin Chazdon with hosts Armando Davila, Patrick Leung, & Pedro Ribeiro Piffer for an adventure through the world of assisted natural regeneration. Robin discusses active versus passive regeneration, how to increase the capacity of local communities to lead restoration, and the importance of honoring traditional knowledge. Robin then paints a vision of a fair trade carbon market, discusses biodiversity monitoring, and explores the challenges of involving corporations in restoration projects. This rich conversation ends on an inspirational note as Robin skillfully describes how we are all interconnected with each other and the natural world.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Robin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-chazdon-96218a59/ 

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

Grant Wilson and Michelle Bender of Earth Law Center - Legal Rights of Nature

“How do you give nature a voice within carbon markets?” -Grant Wilson

Grant Wilson, Executive Director of Earth Law Center, & Michelle Bender, Ocean Campaigns Director of Earth Law Center, join hosts Armando Davila & Troy Carter for a discussion about the Rights of Nature Movement. After an overview of how this movement advocates for nature to have rights just as humans do, Grant and Michelle discuss traction that the movement is gaining in Ecuador and New Zealand and explore how this movement can be integrated with the carbon market’s financial approach to protect nature to the fullest extent possible. This deep conversation also includes a heart-centered discussion about how humanity, society, economics, and law are inseparable from nature and also explores the unique challenges of protecting the rights of our oceans. You’ll also learn more about the Earth Law Center and how you can get involved.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Earth Law Center: https://www.earthlawcenter.org/ 

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“We need all hands on deck in all areas, all sectors, and all approaches. So that means we need governments setting aggressive climate policy and regulation to control as far and fast as possible top-down, we need corporates and industry to do their part and do everything they can to decarbonize and squeeze out emissions…and then we also need market mechanisms like what Verra pioneers and helps manage that bring integrity and the ability for finance to flow to other activities that otherwise wouldn't be supported and are critical for us addressing the climate challenge.” -Toby Janson-Smith

David Antonioli, CEO at Verra, & Toby Jason-Smith, Chief Program Development & Innovation Officer at Verra, join hosts Armando Davila & Oliver Miltenberger for a rich discussion about carbon markets and the importance of standards and transparency. David and Toby begin by introducing us to Verra, a nonprofit organization setting the world’s leading standards for climate action and sustainable development, and continue on to discuss the past, present, and future of the carbon market and its role in addressing the climate crisis. They masterfully address questions, critiques, and challenges alive in the carbon market sector today and discuss what is needed for the carbon market to successfully play its part in creating a sustainable future for all.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Verra: https://verra.org

Kasigau Project: https://www.innovationforum.co.uk/articles/the-kasigau-corridor-redd-project

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“Nature will win in the end and balance will be reestablished. The question is how is it going to happen and if we're working in the direction of rebalancing things and doing it from the standpoint of minimizing the casualties and maximizing the opportunities of the survivors.” -Richard Heinberg

Richard Heinberg, author and Senior Fellow at Post Carbon Institute, joins hosts Patrick Leung and Armando Davila for a deep conversation on the importance of reducing energy consumption for humanity’s transition to a sustainable existence on Earth. Richard sheds light on the harm that energy consumption causes, the history behind it, and the factors making it difficult to reduce. The discussion then moves to practical ways to reduce energy consumption, countries that are doing so on a large scale, how nature is supporting us in this transition, and how we can work together with nature to create a beautiful and sustainable future.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Richard’s Website: https://richardheinberg.com

Post Carbon Institute: https://www.postcarbon.org/

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

In this season 1 wrap-up episode, hosts Patrick, Troy, and Armando reflect on the first season of the Earthshot Podcast, including themes and insights that emerged, favorite moments with guests, and the evolution of the podcast, of Earthshot Labs, and of the state of the climate crisis. Stay tuned for Season 2, coming in 2023!

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Troy Carter’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/troyearthshot

Patrick Leung’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/puiwah

Armando Davila’s Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/armando-davila-49681716

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“What keeps me up at night is that people would think that we can use natural climate solutions like reforestation instead of fossil fuel reductions, because it’s not an either/or, it’s a both/and.” -Susan Cook-Patton

Susan Cook-Patton, a senior scientist at the Nature Conservancy, joins hosts Patrick Leung and Armando Davila for a deep dive into the science behind carbon and nature-based climate solutions. Susan gives us an insider’s look into the world of scientific data, sharing practical insights and revealing the gaps that exist in climate research. She shares that recent studies paint a dire picture of our future if we don’t act fast (within the next decade) to change our destructive course, and yet also shares her “stubborn optimism” that we will pull through. This delightful and deep conversation is both intelligent and love-filled and is a must-listen for anyone interested in science, nature, and sustainability.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

The Nature Conservancy: www.nature.org

Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-cook-patton-ph-d-3904a448

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com

“There is an abundance on this Earth and She was created with this idea of taking care of everything here. We're the ones that turned our backs to her and we have to figure out a way to get back and quickly.” - Corrina Gould

Corrina Gould, chair and spokesperson for the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, joins hosts Patrick Leung and Armando Davila in this episode for a deep conversation about rematriation and decolonization. Corrina begins by grounding us in the history of the Indigenous peoples of the so called Bay Area and then shares her inspiring journey of becoming an activist and leader in her community. Corrina’s grandmotherly embrace holds listeners with love as she takes us into the somber caverns of Indigenous genocide, climate crisis, and the violence our society faces today, while she similtenously paints a beautiful vision of what the future can be and lays out the work that is necessary to make it so.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RELEVANT LINKS:

Earthshot Labs: www.earthshot.eco

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust: https://sogoreate-landtrust.org

Songs by Kadoka: https://kadoka.bandcamp.com

Intro & Outro Music by Little Whale: https://littlewhale.bandcamp.com